Dionyysus Leaning On A Female Figure Analysis

The most fascinating thing about art is the difference and diversity between works of art. The drastic uniqueness of arts between periods is something that is interesting to look at because one gets to see how much changes can be made due to cultural influences and time. After visiting the Met and seeing the works of art in person, I have chosen the Statute of Dionysus Leaning On A Female Figure and the Standing Buddha Offering Protection to explore in depth. The Standing Buddha Offering Protection is an Indian sculpture made during the late 5th century. It is only 85.5cm tall and it is constructed out of red sandstone. The Statue of Dionysus Leaning On A Female Figure, otherwise known, as the Hope Dionysus is a Roman sculpture made around …show more content…
Clearly, from a totally different period and culture, this Hope Dionysus is a roman sculpture. Roman sculptures were well known for being realistic yet very much stylized in terms of proportion. And as well there were hints of colors as stated by Gisela M. A. Richter and Lindsley F. Hall, “The statement of ancient writers and the actual traces of color on extant Greek and Roman sculptures were too strong evidence to admit of further doubt that throughout antiquity marble as well as lime stone statues and reliefs were painted diver shades. (233). The most obvious detail that stands out to me is the bigness, the height of Dionysus. The female figure that he leans on is standing on a block that is almost at his mid-calf, yet she still only reaches his chest, just tall enough for him to rest his arm on her head. If the block she stands on was to be removed and she was to stand at the same ground level as Dionysus, she would literally be half of his height. This inhumanly height of his, hierarchy of scale is the first definitive marker of a deity. Dionysus rests his arm on top of the female figure’s head (which further emphasizes his bigness), his hand gesturing outwards, which seems to be a welcoming gesture or a gesture to address a crowd. His left hand unfortunately did not survive, but one of the most distinctive characteristics of Dionysus is the Thyrsos, a …show more content…
They differ in size, body shape/proportion, garment, and the decorative aspect of the whole figure in general. However, the Romans lack creativity in their art as stated by Elaine K. Gazda, Sculptures in the copy category, a large number of which are marble statues of mythological beings and other ideal subjects made in multiple replicas, have long been a primary focal point of the deeply engrained view that Roman artistes lacked creativity in contrasts to their Greek predecessors who had, according to this view, reached the pinnacle of originality in aesthetic achievement. (122). Again, Buddha is very much simplified in the sense that he does not look of wealth or a luxurious background but of humble and subtle roots. Whilst it is more than obvious that Dionysus comes from an extraordinarily fortunate background. The two have very contrasting garments as well. Buddha’s drapery is very subtle and modest because of the sheerness and the light and airiness of the fabric, yet on Dionysus, the drapery is thick and almost obnoxious because of how detailed and deep the creases of the folds are. Cultural differences play a large role in the difference between the body shape/proportion and looks of the two figures. Buddha has a much more rounded and voluptuous