Ancient Art

Comparisons and Contrasts between the Nike of Samothrace and Augustus of Prima PortaAncient statuary was used to depict gods and goddesses , historic people and events , and figures of symbolic importance . Because of their durability , statues offer the current world something of a glimpse into antediluvian cultures . The Nike of Samothrace and the depiction of Augustus at Prima Porta offer devil much(prenominal) glimpses into the ancient worldThe FormsBoth the Nike of Samothrace and the Augustus statues are shape from the same material , white stain . and , the Augustus that we are familiar with is similar to an earlier bronzy statue , created by Polykleitus Both statues are carved in the down that is , details are carved all over the entire gross surface so that the statues can be viewed from all angles . The Nike of Samothrace was earlier posed on a piece of grey marble that is carved in the mastermind of a ship s fore . The statue currently stands on a block of additional innovative material that separates the statue from its base . Interestingly , it appears that the Nike of Samothrace is carved to be viewed from the leave(prenominal) side , since the detail contained in the carving is less work on the right side of the body than on the left (Louvre , n . d , par . 3The Subject MatterThe marble statue carved by Tiberius has what the Patrons of the Arts in the Vatican Museums (PAVM (n . d ) website refers to as a significant addition to [the] marble copy in that he carved battle scenes depicting his father s victory over the Parthenians (par . 1 . The position in which Augustus stands , with his weight on peerless foot and the other apparently in motion , suggests Polykleitus Doryphoros , the statue of the Spear-Bearer . The two statues differ , however , in that the Doryphoros depicted a sensitive youth , opus the Augustus statue depicts a mature man in full military regalia .

The original bronze molding of the Doryphoros has been lost what we know of it comes from marble copies (Mattusch , date ,. 201 ) or approximations , such as the Augustus at Prima Porta . Roman copies of Greek statues are not unusual . Mattusch quotes author Gisela Richter , however , that while some of these copies are virtually identical to the Greek originals , largely they lack the sensitiveness that characterizes Greek work (p . 149 . The Nike s head and ordnance are missing , so therefore it is impossible to place what stylistic imagery might energize existed in those portions of the statue However , the statue is remarkable for the manner in which the naked female form is suggested , in vibrant motion , it s outlines suggested under the wet and miasmic draperies that surround it (Louvre , n dThe ContentThe statue of Nike of Samothrace was probably used as crack of a religious supplication to the Cabeiri , Greek gods that protected those individuals who travelled at sea . This statue might also have some political and military significance , as it might have been placed in honor of a military...If you want to bring in a full essay, order it on our website: Orderessay

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