ANCIENT ART DB

Introduction

In ancient times, work of art not only represented the aesthetic values of a culture but it was an ideal way of life. Roman borrowed most of her Hellenic ideals from the Greece and made it/infused it into its own kind of roman heroism. Therefore, both the Greek and Roman work art have certain differences and similarities. This paper delineates on the art work of Augustus of Prima Porta (20 BCE) of Rome and the Parthenon (447–438 BCE) of Greek.

The Parthenon sculptures are one of the ancient works of art that people of Greece practiced. These forms of art were placed as decorations on the outside walls of temples and consisted figures representing gods, elders, priests, horses, horse riders among many others (Guisepi, 1990). On the other hand, Augustus of Prima Porta (20 BCE) of Roman is a statue 2.04 meters built of marble representing Augustus Caesar that was discovered in 1863 at Prima Porta (John, 1995).

The two pieces of work arts have similarities as well as differences. One of the similarities of the two arts is that both of them were sculptures. They were made out of marble thought to be bronze. These materials were shaped to make the status of these personalities, goods, elders and other objects that were used to send out a certain message.

The forms of the two works of art have some similarities too. For instance, the two forms of arts, that is, both the Greek and the Roman arts are a three dimensional work of art. The sculptures represent people, gods, and other features that can be clearly scene from different directions. The materials that were used on Augustus Prima Porta are marble chips, from bronze. Likewise, the Parthenon (447–438 BCE) are also made of marbles and decorated with bronze (Jane, 2001). Colors are important components in conveying a certain message. In the Augustus Prima Porta sculpture, the color that was used is brown, even though a white marble was used as the raw material. This color helped to make the sculpture look real –or rather the same as the human being-Augustus the hero. On the other hand, the Parthenon sculptures used a variety of colors ranging from grey black, to enhance the beauty of the sculptures.

In creation of the artwork various techniques and process are used. For instance, in creating the two art work, it required a skilled person with dexterity skills to shape the pieces of marble into the sculptures. The person should also be very creative and skillful in terms of the choice of colors to use to come up with a good sculpture.

In any piece of art work, lines, space, texture, value, color and balance are important in conveying a message to the third party (Notes for artwork critique form, 2012). The two pieces of art have incorporated textures, value, color, line and balance in ensuring that they come out clearly. For instance, lines were used in creating an outline, shape was used to come up with a given size, texture was used o ensure that the pieces of art look real while balance was used to ensure that the works looked real and nice.

Both of the pieces of work have subject matter. For instance, the Augustus Prima Porta of Roman has a subject matter which implied shape and personality. It is a sculpture that resembles Augustus Ceaser of Prima Porta (Mighty students, 2012). Therefore, the subject matter is to demonstrate a certain personality. On the other hand, the Parthenon sculptures have a subject matter, in that they show the way of life of the ancient Greek people.

The work of art in both is not abstract but rather representational. This is because it represents the actual way of life of the ancient people and also the sculpture of Augustus shows the image of a famous person. The content in the Augustus Prima Porta Sculpture is simple to understand. It shows a person that the people of Greece respected and therefore was to serve as their hero. The sculpture was to be used for remembrance. On the other hand, the Parthenon sculptures send out a message or convey a message about the way the people of Greek lived and worshipped their gods. The artist’s message in the two works of arts is associated with the culture and the way of living of the people from these two cultures.

Symbolism is also used in the two pieces of arts. In the Rome sculptures- Augustus Prima Porta, the image is a symbol of courage and good leadership while in the Parthenon sculptures of the Romans, the symbolisms in the various images that were placed on their temple. They represent their way of worship or rather religious affiliation and beliefs.

The context of the two works of arts is in the cultural belief. The work plays various functions. They serve a function of educating the new generations on how the ancient people lived. They also show the rich culture and art of the ancient people. Therefore, the two pieces of work have some religious and historical significance. For instance, the Parthenon sculptures shows the religious belief of the Greek while the Augustus Prima Porta sculpture shows the history of a famous leaders during his times in Rome (The art minute, 2012). Traditional role of the artists exemplified in these two pieces of arts is keenness, skillful and dexterity. They were very keen and were preoccupied with their culture.

References

Guisepi, R.A. (1990). Greek and Roman art. Retrieved from: http://history-world.org/arthist.htm

Jane, C. R. (2001). The Villa of Livia Ad Gallinas Albas. A Study in the Augustan Villa and Garden. Archaeological Transatlantica XX. Providence, RI: Center for Old World Archaeology and Art.

John, P. (1995). “The Augustus from Prima Porta and the Transformation of the Polykleitan Heroic Ideal”, in Warren G. Moon (ed.), Polykleitos, the Doryphoros and Tradition. (Madison: The University of Wisconsin Press).

Mighty students. (2012). Greek work of art and one Roman work of art and compare and contrast. Retrieved from: http://www.mightystudents.com/essay/Greek.work.art.81688

Module 1: Additional teachers notes: Information about the artworks. Retrieved from: http://www2.tate.org.uk/tatetools/modules/module1/module1_teachers_notes.pdf

Notes for artwork critique form. (2012). retrieved from: http://www.goshen.edu/art/ed/critique- page-2.html

The art minute. (2012). Augustus of Primaporta: Spin City. Retrieved from: http://www.the-art- minute.com/augustus-of-primaporta-spin-city/