Political figures in art has always been an important part of our history, culture and artistic representation, Roman and Byzantine art is a classic case of these representations. The Equestrian Statue of Marcus Aurelius and Justinian as World Conqueror are two examples that demonstrate the power and prestige of these political authorities. First, Equestrian Statue of Marcus Aurelius from the Roman, Italy (173-176 CE) measures 11’6” high, cast in bronze. Secondly, Justinian as World conqueror from Byzantium period measures 13” x 11” entire panel, center panel 7” x 5” and 1” deep. The creator of the equestrian statue is unknown, however, the creator of Justinian’s ivory relief was probably made by the imperial work of Constantinople.
This sculpture, seen in the image, can be found in the Greek and Roman Art Gallery in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, NYC. Although this is a Roman marble copy, the original sculpture was created by Polykleitos of Argos, one of the most famous artists in Classical Greece. Along with this piece, Diadoumenos, Polykleitos is best known for his Doryphoros or “The Spear- Bearer”. Both sculptures portray athletes.
The meticulous detail Praxiteles incorporated into the statue's surface, such as the minute skin folds and delicate muscular outlines, enhances the sensation of dynamic energy. The historical significance of the Marble Torso of Eros monument is a further notable aspect. The statue is thought to have been produced in the fourth century BCE when political and cultural upheaval was occurring in ancient
His artworks are a perfect example not only of Greek art but of the way Greek art modeled the body, as it glorified the human body. His art is an inheritance to Greek culture, and it impacts us today as art is something that is everywhere. There were two occasions where Phidias’ view of the world might’ve changed, in addition to the wars.
“Pathos Hephaestus Eros” is a steel sculpture which stands
and 440 B.C. by the sculptor, Polykleitos. It is the finest of the five known copies of the entire body of this famous masterpiece that have survived relatively intact.1 Representing an athlete (or possibly Achilles), this harmonious, balanced figure with idealized proportions, typifies art from the Classical period of Greece. This replica of the Doryphoros has been dated to the 1st century B.C. because of the high quality of the work and the almost total lack of drillwork, typical of this particular period. The rendition of the hair and the form of the support (the stump) also assist us in dating this piece because they can be linked stylistically to other known objects from specific Roman periods.
Phidias was born in 480 B.C. in Athens, Greece. He died in 430 B.C. Phidias was an Athenian sculptor, painter, and architect. Phidias is known to be one of the greatest sculptors in Classical Greece. Phidias’ father’s name was Charmides. His brother was Panaenus.
Breaking the traditions of veristic portraits where old age was synonymous with wisdom during the days of the Roman Republic, Augustus instead chose to have his youthful portrait in the Classical Greek style. By having his portrait in that style, Augustus links his likeness with the height of Greek civilization, implying that his empire would enjoy the prosperity that era acquired. The sculpture even subscribes to the canon that is the Doryphoros, its proportions following the Greek ideal. However, while the Romans were enamored by Greek culture, politics was integral to Roman art. Many pieces in Roman art were to convey power as Rome continued its imperial endeavors.
Creating an amazingly life-like appearance to its sculptures, not only demonstrated, in my mind, a higher intelligence, but is defiantly a tribute to their focus on superior strength and fitness. Although the realistic style was soon changed to create an even more ideal human figure, the understanding of the human body and how to recreate it through art was only the beginning of Greece’s contribution to the “classical ideal.” After their rise to power, gained by their triumph over Persia, the Greeks again changed the way we see art. This time they turned to their knowledge of geometry, focusing on the creation of grand architecture as their medium.
Athens, Greece was a center piece of Ancient Greek artwork, their painted vessels became popular throughout history. Exekias and the Aegisthus Painter used the space and techniques available to covey a story, creating a center piece for conversation. In 550BCE the workshop of Exekias in Athens produced a terracotta, black figured amphora with scenes on both sides. The main side feature a scene from the legend of Theseus and the Minotaur.
One arc is formed by both arms, and this is almost perpendicular to the other arc, which is formed by his hips, torso, and head. Another thing to take notice of is that the figure is not only idealized, but he is shown in the nude. This was common in the depictions of male people in Greek art, as a celebration of the greatness and beauty that the human body can achieve. Also, the fact that the subject matter of this sculpture is a person throwing a discus truly embodies the significance of fitness, sports and athletics in the ancient Greek culture, which again brings the ideal human body into
During the ancient times many cultures and races viewed art as something important for their lifestyles and part of their culture. Portraiture was one of the often used forms of art that either represented someone who once lived or a god that they worshipped. These forms of art were really important for various reasons, whether it was for worship, remembrance of the person or god, remembrance of an important day, tomb markers, etc. Three examples of portraitures made during the ancient times are: ‘Victory Stele of Naram-sin’, ‘Hatshepsut with Offering Jars’, and ‘Khafre Enthroned’. Each of these three pieces of art played a big role on the lives of the owners because it depicted them in the way that they wanted to be depicted.
The Greek sculptures reach the new height of beauty, not only because the mastery of the technique, but also the fascination of human body. Greek art uses the outer appearance to reflect the inner power, it is the representative pattern of western art. The myth inspires the creation of sculpture. The fantasy of nature and society and the admire of god’s shape and personality makes the sculpture more multiple and abundant.
The bust of Commodus is one of the most famous masterpieces of Roman portraiture and depicts the emperor as the reincarnation of the hero Hercules. Commodus is seen wearing the lion 's skin over his head, holding the club in his right hand, and the golden apple of Hesperides in his left hand as a reminder of how he is seen to be as the Greek hero Hercules. Two Amazon women are kneeling on the base beside a globe with the sign of the zodiac. These zodiac signs show important moments in Commodus’s life. On top of the globe is a cornucopia with the Amazon’s shield, one long enough to almost cover his torso.
Uncontrolled emotionalism and shameful truth were now common characteristics to most of them. Still throughout the hellenistic, many sculptures were distinguished by their calmness, grace, and compassion for human suffering. The Ancient Greek sculptures were commonly made from stone or wood and very few of them are still existing to this day. Many were made to reflect the image of a freestanding human form even when the statue was of a god, and for this reason many of the sculptures were naked, the Greeks saw nudity as something beautiful. Other of the sculptures showed athletic figures, to essentially portray what the Greeks perceived as an ideal human and what it should look
