Where is the statue of Marcus Aurelius?
The Statue of Marcus Aurelius (detail) in the Capitoline Museums in Rome. The Equestrian Statue of Marcus Aurelius is an ancient Roman equestrian statue on the Capitoline Hill, Rome, Italy. It is made of bronze and stands 4.24 m (13.9 ft) tall. Although the emperor is mounted, it exhibits many similarities to standing statues of Augustus.
When did Marcus Aurelius sculpt the Emperor’s horse?
Horse (detail) , Equestrian Sculpture of Marcus Aurelius, bronze, c. 173-76 C.E. (Capitoline Museums, Rome) The emperor’s horse is a magnificent example of dynamism captured in the sculptural medium.
How did Marcus Aurelius legitimize his reign?
Middle: Like most of the later Roman emperors, Marcus Aurelius strove to legitimize his reign by making reference to Augustus, the first, and in most ways greatest, of the Roman emperors. His pose with the raised arm bears a strong resemblance to a well-known statue of Augustus.
Why did Marcus Aurelius build the Roman Empire’s equestrian monument?
We know that Marcus Aurelius celebrated a triumph in 176 C.E. for his victories over German and Sarmatian tribes, leading some to suggest that year as the occasion for the creation of the equestrian monument.
How did the Equestrian Statue of Marcus Aurelius survive until the present?
It is the only equestrian statue to survive antiquity until the present time. Its preservation is attributed to a mistaken identification of the Emperor as Constantine, who legalized Christianity in the Roman Emperor and thus was looked upon kindly by the early Church.
Why has Marcus Aurelius equestrian statue not been destroyed?
The statue of Marcus Aurelius was spared owing to its early misidentification as a portrait of Constantine.
Why was this ancient Roman equestrian statue never destroyed or melted down?
Although there were many equestrian imperial statues, they rarely survived because it was the common practice to melt down bronze statues for reuse as material for coins or new sculptures in the late empire.
Why is the Equestrian Statue of Marcus Aurelius so important?
The Impact of the Equestrian Statue of Marcus Aurelius Pope Paul III wanted to impress the Holy Roman Emperor Charles V after a failed procession in 1536. Thus he commissioned Michelangelo to redesign Piazza del Campidoglio to become a symbol of the new Rome.
How does the equestrian portrait of Marcus Aurelius go beyond Verism?
How does the equestrian portrait of Marcus Aurelius go beyond verism? Portraits of Marcus Aurelius were the first ones in which a Roman emperor appeared weary. The strain of constant warfare showed in the emperor's face. How did influences from Christianity and eastern religions affect Roman funerary art?
Who made the first equestrian statue?
After the Romans, no surviving monumental equestrian bronze was cast in Europe until 1415–1450 when Donatello created the heroic bronze Equestrian statue of Gattamelata the condottiere, erected in Padua.
Where was the Equestrian Statue of Marcus Aurelius found?
The Equestrian Statue of Marcus Aurelius is an ancient Roman statue that was originally erected in 175 C.E. It is made of bronze and stands at approximately 3.5 meters tall. Today, the original can be found in the Capitoline Museum of Rome, Italy.
Where is the statue of Marcus Aurelius now?
the Musei CapitoliniThe ancient statue is now housed within the Musei Capitolini where it can be visited and viewed today. The equestrian statue of Marcus Aurelius is an enduring monument, one that links the city's many phases, ancient and modern.
Who originally put this statue in the Campidoglio the center of the Capitoline Hill )?
When commissioning Michelangelo to redesign the Campidoglio, Pope Paul III had two specific goals in mind. First, he wanted the space to serve as an appropriately grand representation of Rome's symbolic importance as the caput mundi or center of the world.
Where is the statue of Marcus Aurelius now?
the Musei CapitoliniThe ancient statue is now housed within the Musei Capitolini where it can be visited and viewed today. The equestrian statue of Marcus Aurelius is an enduring monument, one that links the city's many phases, ancient and modern.
Why was equestrian statue of gattamelata important?
Equestrian Statue of Gattamelata Inspirations The artist crafted the Gattamelata as a tribute to both the military leader and the individualism so revered during the Renaissance. This work of art became the blueprint for equestrian monuments honoring military heroes.
Where was the Equestrian Statue of Marcus Aurelius found?
The Equestrian Statue of Marcus Aurelius is an ancient Roman statue that was originally erected in 175 C.E. It is made of bronze and stands at approximately 3.5 meters tall. Today, the original can be found in the Capitoline Museum of Rome, Italy.
Who originally put this statue in the Campidoglio the center of the Capitoline Hill )?
When commissioning Michelangelo to redesign the Campidoglio, Pope Paul III had two specific goals in mind. First, he wanted the space to serve as an appropriately grand representation of Rome's symbolic importance as the caput mundi or center of the world.
What message is conveyed by the Equestrian Statue of Marcus Aurelius?
The Equestrian Statue of Marcus Aurelius portrays a ruler that is militaristically powerful, but emphasizes his preference for peace and intellectu...
What is a statue on horseback called?
Equestrian statues are the name of statues that feature a figure, typically a ruler or military leader, on horseback. If the rider is not on horseb...
Why is the Equestrian Statue of Marcus Aurelius so important?
The Equestrian Statue of Marcus Aurelius is so important in art history because it is the only Roman emperor equestrian statue to survive to the pr...
What is the significance of the statue of Marcus Aurelius?
In so doing it reminds us about the role of public art in creating and reinforcing cultural identity as it relates to specific events and locations. In the ancient world the equestrian statue would have evoked powerful memories from the viewer, not only reinforcing the identity and appearance of the emperor but also calling to mind the key events, achievements, and celebrations of his administration. The statue is, like the city, eternal, as reflected by the Romanesco poet Giuseppe Belli who reflects in his sonnet Campidojjo (1830) that the gilded statue is directly linked to the long sweep of Rome’s history.
Where is the statue of Marcus Aurelius?
Equestrian Statue of Marcus Aurelius, c. 173-76 C.E. gilded bronze (Capitoline Museums, Rome). The original location of the sculpture is unknown. Beginning in the 8th century, it was located near the Lateran Palace, until it was placed in the center of the Piazza del Campidoglio in 1538 by Michelangelo.
How many portraits of Marcus Aurelius are there?
Marcus Aurelius, type I portrait, ca. 140 C.E. (Capitoline Museums, Rome) There are approximately 110 known portraits of Marcus Aurelius and these have been grouped into four typological groupings. The first two types belong to the emperor’s youth, before he assumed the duties of the principate.
What is the posture of the Emperor?
The emperor stretches his right hand outward, the palm facing toward the ground; a pose that could be interpreted as the posture of adlocutio, indicating that the emperor is about to speak. However, more likely in this case we may read it as the gesture of clemency ( clementia ), offered to a vanquished enemy, or of restitutio pacis, the “restoration of peace.” Richard Brilliant has noted that since the emperor appears in civic garb as opposed to the general’s armor, the overall impression of the statue is one of peace rather than of the immediate post-war celebration of military victory. Some art historians reconstruct a now-missing barbarian on the right side of the horse, as seen in a surviving panel relief sculpture that originally belonged to a now-lost triumphal arch dedicated to Marcus Aurelius (left). We know that Marcus Aurelius celebrated a triumph in 176 C.E. for his victories over German and Sarmatian tribes, leading some to suggest that year as the occasion for the creation of the equestrian monument.
When was Marcus Aurelius first painted?
The earliest portrait of Marcus Aurelius dates to c. 140 C.E. and is best represented by the Capitoline Galleria 28 type, where the youth wears a cloak fastened at the shoulder ( paludamentum ); this portrait was widely circulated, with approximately 25 known copies (above, left).
Where is the statue of the lion located?
The original location of the sculpture is unknown, though it had been housed in the Lateran Palace since the 8th century until it was placed in the center of the Piazza del Campidoglio by Michelangelo in 1538. The original is now indoors for purposes of conservation. Marcus Aurelius ruled 161-180 C.E.
How tall is the statue of the Emperor?
The statue is an over life-size depiction of the emperor elegantly mounted atop his horse while participating in a public ritual or ceremony; the statue stands approximately 4.24 meters tall. A gilded bronze statue, the piece was originally cast using the lost-wax technique, with horse and rider cast in multiple pieces and then soldered together after casting.
How tall is Marcus Aurelius statue?
Let's get to know this great work of art. Emperor Marcus Aurelius' statue was built sometime around the 170s CE, and is made of gilded bronze. At 11 feet 6 inches tall, it's an impressive portrait.
Why were equestrian statues important to the Romans?
Equestrian statues were also seen as a gift to the people, since these life-sized statues were displayed as public works of art that made the city more beautiful and reaffirmed the greatness of Rome . So, the Romans liked their equestrian statues, and over 20 of these expensive and elaborate sculptures once adorned the city.
What is the most important surviving work of Roman art?
The Equestrian Statue of Marcus Aurelius is one of the most important surviving works of Roman art, and the best example we have of ancient equestrian portraits. All hail the emperor! Lesson. Quiz. Course. 9.2K views. Equestrian statue of Marcus Aurelius.
What is the name of the statue of the Roman emperor?
In the Roman Empire, emperors were celebrated through a very specific form of sculptural portrait called an equestrian statue, which is a carved or cast figure of them seated nobly on a horse.
How was the statue of liberty made?
The statue was originally created using a time-intensive process called lost wax casting, in which a wax copy of the statue is made, a cast is built around it and the molten bronze is poured in, melting away the wax and replacing it with metal.
What is the Emperor wearing in the statue?
There are some clues in the statue that suggest this. For one, the emperor is wearing the tunic of a civic leader as well as the senatorial ring, not the uniform of a military commander.
Why is the Emperor so imposing?
The emperor appears especially imposing, and that's partly because he and the horse were built on different scales. He's out of proportion, but not so much that it looks strange. It's just enough to make the emperor look a little larger than life.
How long has the statue of Marcus Aurelius been around?
Few examples of these equestrian statues survive from antiquity, however, making the Equestrian Statue of Marcus Aurelius a singular artifact of Roman antiquity, one that has borne quiet witness to the ebb and flow of the city of Rome for nearly 1,900 years.
What is the significance of the statue of Marcus Aurelius?
In so doing it reminds us about the role of public art in creating and reinforcing cultural identity as it relates to specific events and locations. In the ancient world the equestrian statue would have evoked powerful memories from the viewer, not only reinforcing the identity and appearance of the emperor but also calling to mind the key events, achievements, and celebrations of his administration. The statue is, like the city, eternal, as reflected by the Romanesco poet Giuseppe Belli who reflects in his sonnet Campidojjo (1830) that the gilded statue is directly linked to the long sweep of Rome’s history.
How many portraits of Marcus Aurelius are there?
Marcus Aurelius, Type I portrait, ca. 140 C.E. (Capitoline Museums, Rome) There are approximately 110 known portraits of Marcus Aurelius and these have been grouped into four typological groupings. The first two types belong to the emperor’s youth, before he assumed the duties of the principate.
What is the posture of the Emperor?
The emperor stretches his right hand outward, the palm facing toward the ground; a pose that could be interpreted as the posture of adlocutio, indicating that the emperor is about to speak. However, more likely in this case we may read it as the gesture of clemency ( clementia ), offered to a vanquished enemy, or of restitutio pacis, the "restoration of peace." Richard Brilliant has noted that since the emperor appears in civic garb as opposed to the general’s armor, the overall impression of the statue is one of peace rather than of the immediate post-war celebration of military victory. Some art historians reconstruct a now-missing barbarian on the right side of the horse, as seen in a surviving panel relief sculpture that originally belonged to a now-lost triumphal arch dedicated to Marcus Aurelius (left). We know that Marcus Aurelius celebrated a triumph in 176 C.E. for his victories over German and Sarmatian tribes, leading some to suggest that year as the occasion for the creation of the equestrian monument.
When was Marcus Aurelius first painted?
The earliest portrait of Marcus Aurelius dates to c. 140 C.E. and is best represented by the Capitoline Galleria 28 type, where the youth wears a cloak fastened at the shoulder ( paludamentum ); this portrait was widely circulated, with approximately 25 known copies (above, left).
How tall is the statue of the Emperor?
The statue is an over life-size depiction of the emperor elegantly mounted atop his horse while participating in a public ritual or ceremony; the statue stands approximately 4.24 meters tall. A gilded bronze statue, the piece was originally cast using the lost-wax technique, with horse and rider cast in multiple pieces and then soldered together after casting.
What is the horse that the Emperor held in his left hand?
The horse, caught in motion, raises its right foreleg at the knee while planting its left foreleg on the ground, its motion checked by the application of reins , which the emperor originally held in his left hand.
Where was Marcus Aurelius statue erected?
It can only be said that it was erected for a public dedication, and therefore that the most probable original setting was the Roman Forum or the square with the dynastic temple that encircled the Antonine column. The statue is recorded as having stood in the Lateran Palace, which is adjacent to the Archbasilica of St John Lateran (housing the cathedra: the ecclesiastical seat of the Pope) in the tenth century, but it is likely that it had already been there from the end of the eighth century. The statue was moved in 1538 to Capitoline Hill, the seat of the town’s authorities. Michelangelo was entrusted with the task of rearranging the setting of the statue. He did not constrain himself to developing a straightforward design for a suitable placing of the monument, but transformed the statue into the visual focus of the Piazza del Campidoglio.
When was the statue of Marcus Aurelius erected?
The statue was probably erected either in AD 176, as part of the honours paid to the emperor in connection with his triumph over the Germanic tribes, or immediately after his death in AD 180. The only remaining equestrian statue from the Roman Empire is the well-known statue of Emperor Marcus Aurelius (AD 121–180).
What is the oldest statue in the Roman Empire?
The only remaining equestrian statue from the Roman Empire is the well-known statue of Emperor Marcus Aurelius (AD 121–180). It is not only the oldest equestrian statue in existence, but it has apparently such an aura that it has served for many centuries, and still does today, as an inspiring example of what an equestrian statue should look like.
Why was Marcus Aurelius considered a lenient ruler?
By the standards of his time, Marcus Aurelius was a lenient and humanitarian ruler, but he regarded the Christians as enemies of the state. His statue was the only one to survive from classical times because the citizens of ancient Rome mistakenly thought it was a representation of Emperor Constantine, the first Christian emperor.
What happened to the Palazzo Senatorio?
A survey after a terrorist bomb attack on the Palazzo Senatorio in 1979 revealed that the statue was severely threatened by corrosion and that it was suffering from an alarming problem due to some fissures in the legs of the horse. Early in 1981, the statue was removed from its base and transferred to a restoration laboratory on Capitoline Hill. After extensive studies to evaluate the statue’s condition and the procedures to be applied to the bronze, the task of restoration began. The work lasted until the end of 1988, when a new stage in the equestrian monument’s life began.
Where was the statue of Michelangelo moved?
The statue was moved in 1538 to Capitoline Hill, the seat of the town’s authorities. Michelangelo was entrusted with the task of rearranging the setting of the statue. He did not constrain himself to developing a straightforward design for a suitable placing of the monument, but transformed the statue into the visual focus ...
Where is the statue of St John Lateran?
The statue is recorded as having stood in the Lateran Palace, which is adjacent to the Archbasilica of St John Lateran (housing the cathedra: the ecclesiastical seat of the Pope) in the tenth century, but it is likely that it had already been there from the end of the eighth century.
Overview
The Equestrian Statue of Marcus Aurelius (Italian: Statua equestre di Marco Aurelio, Latin: Equus Marci Aurelii) is an ancient Roman equestrian statue on the Capitoline Hill, Rome, Italy. It is made of bronze and stands 4.24 m (13.9 ft) tall. Although the emperor is mounted, it exhibits many similarities to standing statues of Augustus. The original is on display in the Capitoline Museums, with …
Description
The overall theme is one of power and divine grandeur—the emperor is over life-size and extends his hand in a gesture of adlocutio used by emperors when addressing their troops. Some historians assert that a conquered enemy was originally part of the sculpture (based on accounts from medieval times, including the Mirabilia Urbis Romae, that suggest a small figure of a bound barbarian chieftain once cowered underneath the horse's front right leg). Such an image was me…
History
The statue was erected around 175 AD. Its original location is debated: the Roman Forum and Piazza Colonna (where the Column of Marcus Aurelius stands) have been proposed. However, it was noted that the site where it had originally stood had been converted into a vineyard during the early Middle Ages.
Although there were many equestrian imperial statues, they rarely survived bec…
Cultural significance
The statue is featured on the reverse of the aureus of Marcus Aurelius, struck in 174 AD. The statue is depicted on the reverse of the contemporary Italian €0.50 coin, designed by Roberto Mauri [it].
The statue was formerly clad in gold. An old local myth says that the statue will turn gold again on the Judgement Day.
See also
• Regisole
External links
• Capitoline Museum
Description
The Horse
- The emperor’s horse is a magnificent example of dynamism captured in the sculptural medium. The horse, caught in motion, raises its right foreleg at the knee while planting its left foreleg on the ground, its motion checked by the application of reins, which the emperor originally held in his left hand. The horse’s body—in particular its musculature—has been modeled very carefully by the ar…
The Horseman
- The horseman sits astride the steed, with his left hand guiding the reins and his right arm raised to shoulder level, the hand outstretched. There are approximately 110 known portraits of Marcus Aurelius and these have been grouped into four typological groupings. The first two types belong to the emperor’s youth, before he assumed the duties of the principate. In the Roman world it wa…
Interpretation and Chronology
- The interpretation and chronology of the equestrian statue must rely on the statue itself, as no ancient literary testimony or other evidence survives to aid in the interpretation. It is obvious that the statue is part of an elaborate public monument, no doubt commissioned to mark an important occasion in the emperor’s reign. With that said, however, it must also be noted that scholars con…
History
- The original location of the equestrian monument also remains debated, with some supporting a location on the Caelian Hill near the barracks of the imperial cavalry (equites singulares), while others favor the Campus Martius (a low-lying alluvial plain of the Tiber River) as a possible location. A text known as the Liber Pontificalis that dates to the middle of the tenth century C.E. …