Formal Analysis Roman Sarcophagus Essay examples - 935 Words

Formal Analysis: Roman Sarcophagus There have been countless duels between two opposing sides in the history Roman artistry. This sculpture relief signifies the classic battle of good versus evil. Time and time again, benevolent heroes find themselves in a struggle to combat worthy yet malicious adversaries. The Roman sarcophagus, a two by five feet marble coffin, is certainly no exception. It represents another division to this timeless good-evil epic, its visual characteristics, emphasis on contrasts, and its extensive array of details give it an identity that is uniquely its own. It portrays a sense of legendary fantasy to the viewer, one pertaining to hostility, violence, and pure anger. The sculpture seems overly shallow due to†¦show more content†¦Some of the colors seem out of place. The variation in color may be a result of the author emphasizing certain areas of the sculpture. Most notably, the artist selects to present the sculpture in three-dimensions, using this technique to accentuate and magni fy the combatants and their physical attributes. Certain parts of these dimensions seem to stick right out at you, giving the viewer a good impression of the violence and hatred of war. Interestingly, instead of four, only three sides of the Sarcophagus are filled with images. The long section illustrates two Greek heroes, presumably Herakles and Iolaos, battling evil centaurs. The two other sections show a centaur attacking a lioness and the other, the representation of peace in this work, two centaurs getting along. Herakles and Iolaos are highlighted by the artist’s careful attention to make them protrude the greatest, accentuating their impact and overall importance in this sculpture. Every powerful muscle in their bodies is portrayed and given detail in three dimensions. The three-dimensions not only bring these characters closer to reality but also heighten the heroic nature, masculinity, and belligerent attitude of the Greek heroes. Instead of using basic geometric shapes to create works of art, the sculptor chooses to increase the detail in the Sarcophagus by giving everything in the sculpture individual characteristics and traits. They are presented as being stressedShow MoreRelatedArt And Its Impact During The Era Of The Roman Empire1468 Words   |  6 Pageshuman creativity, skills, and unrivalled drawing techniques put together to create something that people can be fond of for centuries. Without a doubt, art is unique, and its impact was most influential in the era of the Roman Empire, Classical Greece, Etruscan civilization, Roman Republic, and Hellenistic Greece among others. Quite a number of artworks, especially sculptures, drawings, and special vessels have been preserved for the present generation, and to date, they still attract viewership fromRead MoreLouise Nevelson - Sky Cathedral2897 Words   |  12 PagesNevelson’s Sky Cathedral (Fig. 1), even in a 2-D rendering, is replete with nooks and shadows—this invites the changing of position which itself multiples its vantages. The Stela is relatively thin; its funerary purpose makes one recall Alois Riegl’s analysis The Egyptian method of employing a theory of proportions clearly reflects their Kunstwollen [artistic intention or â€Å"the will to form†], directed not toward the variable, but toward the constant, not toward the symbolization of the vital present