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
- 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
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