Dublin Core
Title
Cast no.29
Abstract
Relief found at Ravenna near the Mausoleum of Galla Placidia.
Marble.
Mid-first-century CE, perhaps Claudian (41-54 CE).
Ravenna Museum.
H 48 in., W 60 in.
Not in Metropolitan cast catalogue.
Cast Location: Robinson B 2nd floor
This marble frieze fragment was uncovered during the sixteenth century at Ravenna near the Mausoleum of Galla Placidia. The relief, which may come from an altar or monument-base, pays tribute to the Roman imperial family, at least two of whom are represented as gods. The individuals represented stand in a row facing forwards, and all of them are barefoot, a sure sign in Roman art of their being above our own level of existence. It is generally agreed that the figure at the far right is Augustus, the first emperor of Rome (r. 27 BCE - 14 CE), perhaps represented as Mars, god of war. He wears a wreath of oak leaves, and holds a staff and a short sword. He rests his left foot on a globe decorated with signs of the zodiac. To the left of Augustus stands his wife Livia dressed as Venus, goddess of love and mistress of Mars. A Cupid sits on her shoulder, and she wears a diadem. The identities of the other figures are uncertain, but they may be potential heirs of Augustus. If so, the central figure may be Germanicus, the brother of Claudius, turning towards his father, Drusus the Elder. The seated figure at the far left may be Drusus’ wife Antonia in the guise of Pietas, the goddess of duty. The lotus-and-palmette decoration on the bottom of the frieze matches that on Ravenna’s Porta Aurea, which was built during the reign of Claudius (Ad 41-54).
Marble.
Mid-first-century CE, perhaps Claudian (41-54 CE).
Ravenna Museum.
H 48 in., W 60 in.
Not in Metropolitan cast catalogue.
Cast Location: Robinson B 2nd floor
This marble frieze fragment was uncovered during the sixteenth century at Ravenna near the Mausoleum of Galla Placidia. The relief, which may come from an altar or monument-base, pays tribute to the Roman imperial family, at least two of whom are represented as gods. The individuals represented stand in a row facing forwards, and all of them are barefoot, a sure sign in Roman art of their being above our own level of existence. It is generally agreed that the figure at the far right is Augustus, the first emperor of Rome (r. 27 BCE - 14 CE), perhaps represented as Mars, god of war. He wears a wreath of oak leaves, and holds a staff and a short sword. He rests his left foot on a globe decorated with signs of the zodiac. To the left of Augustus stands his wife Livia dressed as Venus, goddess of love and mistress of Mars. A Cupid sits on her shoulder, and she wears a diadem. The identities of the other figures are uncertain, but they may be potential heirs of Augustus. If so, the central figure may be Germanicus, the brother of Claudius, turning towards his father, Drusus the Elder. The seated figure at the far left may be Drusus’ wife Antonia in the guise of Pietas, the goddess of duty. The lotus-and-palmette decoration on the bottom of the frieze matches that on Ravenna’s Porta Aurea, which was built during the reign of Claudius (Ad 41-54).
Bibliographic Citation
Bibliography
See Elizabeth Bartman, Portraits of Livia (Cambridge ,UK, 1999); Richard Brilliant, Roman Art from the Republic to Constantine (London, 1974); Diana E. E. Kleiner, Roman Sculpture (New Haven, 1992); C. Brian Rose, Dynastic Commemoration and Imperial Portraiture in the Julio-Claudian Period (Cambridge, 1997); Inez Scott Ryberg, Rites of the State Religion in Roman Art (Rome, 1955); D. E. Strong, Roman Imperial Sculpture (London, 1961). Figure.
See Elizabeth Bartman, Portraits of Livia (Cambridge ,UK, 1999); Richard Brilliant, Roman Art from the Republic to Constantine (London, 1974); Diana E. E. Kleiner, Roman Sculpture (New Haven, 1992); C. Brian Rose, Dynastic Commemoration and Imperial Portraiture in the Julio-Claudian Period (Cambridge, 1997); Inez Scott Ryberg, Rites of the State Religion in Roman Art (Rome, 1955); D. E. Strong, Roman Imperial Sculpture (London, 1961). Figure.
Geolocation
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