Paper Topic:
Ancient Art
Comparisons and Contrasts between the Nike of Samothrace and Augustus of Prima Porta Ancient statuary was used to depict gods and goddesses , historical people and events , and figures of symbolic importance . Because of their durability , statues offer the modern world something of a glimpse into ancient cultures . The Nike of Samothrace and the depiction of Augustus at Prima Porta offer two such glimpses into the ancient world The Forms Both the Nike of Samothrace and the Augustus statues are carved from the same material , white marble . However , the Augustus that we
are familiar with is similar to an earlier bronze statue , created by Polykleitus Both statues are carved in the round that is , details are carved over the entire visible surface so that the statues can be viewed from all angles . The Nike of Samothrace was originally posed on a piece of grey marble that is carved in the form of a ship 's prow . The statue currently stands on a block of additional modern material that separates the statue from its base . Interestingly , it appears that the Nike of Samothrace is carved to be viewed from the left-hand side , since the detail contained in the carving is less elaborate on the right side of the body than on the left (Louvre , n . d , par . 3
The Subject Matter
The 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 one 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 naked youth , while the Augustus statue depicts a mature man in full military regalia . The original bronze casting 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 , mostly they lack the sensitiveness that characterizes Greek work (p . 149 . The Nike 's head and arms are missing , so therefore it is impossible to determine what stylistic imagery might have 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 transparent ' draperies that surround it (Louvre , n d
The Content
The statue of Nike of Samothrace was probably used as part of a religious supplication to the Cabeiri , Greek gods that protected those individuals who traveled at sea . This statue might also have some political and military significance , as it might have been placed in honor of a military...
Not the Essay You're looking for? Get a custom essay (only for $12.99)
