The Equestrian Statue of Marcus Aurelius
depicts the famous Roman Emperor on horseback
. The emperor is over life-size and extends his hand in a gesture used by emperors when addressing their army and legions. It is an image designed to portray the Emperor as victorious and all-conquering.
Why are equestrian statues important?
Roman equestrian statues, like many equestrian statues before and after, were about much more than men with horses; they
embody the relationship between the leader and the military
. The equites, a military class, played an incredibly important role in Roman society.
What message is conveyed by the equestrian statue of Marcus Aurelius?
Although mounted, the statue of Marcus Aurelius exhibits many similarities to that of Augustus. The overall theme is
one of power and divine grandeur—the emperor is over life-size and is holding out his hand
in a gesture much like that in the Augu stus portrait.
Why wasn’t the equestrian statue of Marcus Aurelius destroyed?
At this time the equestrian statue was located in the Lateran quarter of the city of Rome near the Lateran Palace, where it may have been since at least the eighth century C.E. Popular theories at the time held that
the bearded emperor was in fact Constantine I
, thus sparing the statue from being melted down.
Why is the statue of Marcus Aurelius so big?
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. The emperor appears especially imposing, and that’s partly because he and
the horse were built on different scales
.
What is the largest equestrian statue in the United States?
The 10,000-pound Grant statue
is two and a half times human size, and it was, until 2007, the largest equestrian statue in the United States. It remains one of the four largest such statues in the world. Sculptor Henry Merwin Shrady devoted the last 20 years of his life to the Grant memorial project.
Can we have horse statue at home?
In both Vastu and Feng Shui, statues of animals are
considered auspicious
. A statue of any animal is good for financial health of the family. It is also considered good for happiness and prosperity. … While placing the horse statue, keep in mind that it faces any door or window.
How long was the equestrian statue of Marcus Aurelius outside?
This bronze statue stands
4.24 m
(13.9 ft) tall and today is on display in the Capitoline Museums. For hundreds of years previously, it stood in the open air of the Piazza del Campidoglio, and today a replica made in 1981 now stand where this original formerly stood.
Who was the the equestrian statue of Marcus Aurelius believed to be for centuries?
It was first documented as a representation of
Constantine
in the 10th century, when it was given the name “The Horse of Constantine”. It was believed that the Senate dedicated the statue to Constantine, which in turn prevented it from being melted down as recyclable bronze.
What does it mean when a horse statue is rearing?
In many parts of the world, an urban legend states that if the horse is rearing (both front legs in the air),
the rider died from battle
; one front leg up means the rider was wounded in battle; and if all four hooves are on the ground, the rider died outside battle.
Is the equestrian statue of Marcus Aurelius hollow?
The formerly entirely gilded huge
hollow
bronze statue was cast from several pieces. The emperor was represented as a victorious military leader and a 12th-century description tells us that a defeated barbarian was lying under the lifted right front leg of his horse.
Who created equestrian statue of gattamelata?
Gattamelata, bronze statue of the Venetian condottiere Erasmo da Narni (popularly known as Gattamelata, meaning “honeyed cat”) by the
15th-century Italian Renaissance sculptor Donatello
.
Who created the equestrian sculpture?
The painter and draftsman
Hubert Robert
, who spent eleven years in Rome (1754-65) studying at the French Academy, is known for his picturesque capriccios – views of the city combining real and imaginary ancient monuments. This capriccio features the famous ancient bronze equestrian statue of Marcus Aurelius.
What culture did the Romans inherit?
Etruscan
influence on ancient Roman culture was profound and it was from the Etruscans that the Romans inherited many of their own cultural and artistic traditions, from the spectacle of gladiatorial combat, to hydraulic engineering, temple design, and religious ritual, among many other things.
Why did Marcus Aurelius have a beard?
The Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius
wrote his Meditations in Greek
, and he wore a beard. The classic Roman look was usually to be clean shaven. Look at the busts of Julius Caesar and the first emperors. I think the look was due to Roman pragmatism and simplicity.
Which artist is credited with creating the most complex equestrian statue since the Roman Empire?
Equestrian Sculpture of Marcus Aurelius, bronze, c. 173-76 C.E. (Capitoline Museums, Rome). The original location of the sculpture is unknown. Beginning in the 8th century, it was housed in the Lateran Palace, until it was placed in the center of the Piazza del Campidoglio in 1538 by
Michelangelo
.
