47. Ludovisi Battle Sarcophagus

 

Battle of the Romans and Barbarians (Ludovisi Battle Sarcophagus), c. 250-260 C.E. (Museo Nazionale Romano-Palazzo Altemps, Rome) Context: sarcophagi start to appear more commonly in the beginning of the second century found at a tomb near Porta Tiburtina (a gate in the Aurelian Walls of Rome) no one knows whose sarcophagus this is, but whoever it was was rich (to buy such a large piece of marble and high such a skilled sculptor would have been expensive) created at a time in Roman history which was marked by instability and civil wars (and preceded by stability and peace) this historical shift is clear in the chaotic, complex nature of this piece  moves away from high classic Greek art (in fact, it's almost the opposite!) less focused on the beauty of the human body and more focused on  the interactions between people an example of the typical artistic style of Late Imperial Rome (also includes aspects common to the Late Antique period) this style is marked by emotional subject matters and a lack of realistic space inspired by the Hellenistic style (as seen the movement and density of the composition) named for its first modern owner, Ludovico Ludovisi Form: made of white marble high (like REALLY HIGH) relief some of the figures are almost completely disconnected from the base incredibly detailed carvings  made with a drill used to mimic the intensity and chaos of the battle at some places, this piece has 4 layers of figures on top of on top of each other (!!!) the figures along the bottom are physically smaller makes a viewer feel like they are looking down upon them  the sculptor uses  shields and other aspects to frame and intentionally highlight certain figures  this piece greatly utilizes the alternation and contrast of light and darkness to guide a viewers eye the shadows caused by the multiple layers of carving and the extremely high relief greatly contribute to the piece Content: generally the figures lack individuality Romans = very clearly the noble soldiers and good guys in this piece. This can be seen through their appearance. The Romans have... attractive characteristics serious expressions smooth skin The Goths/the Barbarians/The Gauls (celtic tribes that were in Western Europe)  = the enemy They are displayed disdainfully (in the same way the Greeks portrayed them) with... puffy cheeks and noses wild expressions uncivilized, primitive features rough, uneven skin The Hero - the man in the top center of the sarcophagus the clear focal point (the only somewhat open space in the midst of a tangled mess) splayed out open-chested strong fancy, heavy draped armor no weapon likely a general no helmet = invincible Everything is MOVING! Movement is KEY to this piece. a narrative piece the sarcophagus displays dozen of stories through the individual interactions between figures Function: Created to mark the grave of a rich, unidentified Roman (many scholars believe that the sarcophagus belongs to the splayed-out-focal-point-man in the carvings) Cross-cultural Comparisons: Relief Sculpture Churning of the Ocean of Milk Last Judgement at Conques Stele of Hammurabi