What is the message of the Portonaccio sarcophagus?
What is the message of the Portonaccio sarcophagus?
Description: Large marble sarcophagus decorated entirely with figurative scenes that show influences similar to those of the Column of Marcus Aurelius. The lid is decorated with a bibliographical frieze, which celebrates the birth and wedding of the deceased and an act of clemency towards a barbarian.
Who is the artist of the Portonaccio sarcophagus?
It is an example of private sculpture of art in the age of Commodus, with visible influences from the design of the Column of Marcus Aurelius….
| Portonaccio sarcophagus | |
|---|---|
| Depth | 116 cm |
| Created | late 2nd century AD |
| Present location | National Roman Museum, Palazzo Massimo alle Terme, Rome |
| Registration | inv. 112.327 |
What type of the artwork is the masterpiece the Portonaccio sarcophagus?
For the anniversary show, the museum tinkered with several showcase exhibits — including the so-called Portonaccio sarcophagus (after the Roman site where it was found), considered to be a masterpiece of second-century Roman sculpture, and the first century B.C. frescoes depicting a garden from the Villa of Livia, the …
What was the purpose of Greek and Roman sculpture?
While Greek statuary was created to represent idealized human forms of athletes and gods, Ancient Roman sculpture represented real, ordinary people with their natural beauty and imperfections.
Which type of sculpture is used for Roman general burial?
Funerary Sculpture Funeral busts and stelae (tombstones) were one of the most common forms of sculpture in the Roman world.
What tradition history is being portrayed by the sarcophagus?
Sarcophagi were used in ancient Greek, Roman, and Egyptian societies.
What was the purpose of Roman sculpture?
The Romans were highly influenced, or inspired, by the ancient Greeks and would often combine their beautiful art with a practical purpose. Their sculptures were created mainly to honor their ancestors, gods and goddesses, philosophers, military generals, and leaders.
Why did Romans use marble instead of bronze?
So a wealthy Roman would have a copy of a famous temple statue commissioned for his garden–or, increasingly likely, would simply buy a premade statue. Marble is a much cheaper material than bronze, so these would generally be marble.
What period is the portonaccio sarcophagus?
Detail of the Portonaccio Sarcophagus, which depicts Late Roman legionaries battling barbarians in the 3rd Century BCE. The piece was created between 172-175 CE.
