Bust of Comm odus c. AD 190 Artwork # 2 Subtopic: Portraiture

But first...a list of Emperors Julio-Claudian dynasty  Augustus 27BC- AD14  Tiberius AD  Caligula AD37 – 41  Claudius AD  Nero AD Year of 4 emperors (AD 68 –AD69)  Galba  Otho  Vitellius Flavian Dynasty  Vespasian AD69-79  Titus AD79-81  Domitian AD Trajanic Dynasty  Nerva AD96-98  Trajan AD  Hadrian AD Antonine Dynasty  Antoninus Pius AD  Marcus Aurelius AD  Lucis Verus AD  Commodus AD Severan dynasty  (11 emperors) Emperors during the height of crisis AD  Philip the Arabian  Many others (constant change)  Constantine AD

ANTONINES Antoninus Pius Marcus Aurelius Commodus

Introduction to portraiture Roman Imperial sculpture (Imperial = Sculpture that commissioned by the current Emperor) was made to be seen. It was not created for private enjoyment but was put in a public place to commemorate and glorify and individual or dynasty (family rule). There are 2 types of sculpture:  Relief (sculptured into stone)  Portrait sculpture Sculpture was is a powerful source of political propaganda which generations of emperors used. They modelled themselves in stone as victorious generals, the bringers of peace and prosperity, and later even in the image of gods. Statues and relief sculpture were also used to commemorate specific events and to remind the people of their Emperor’s military skills.

Political Propaganda in Roman Art  Definition: Propaganda is a intended set of messages aimed at influencing the opinions or behavior of large numbers of people. Instead of providing information that is unbiased, propaganda presents information in order to influence its audience.  Propaganda in art is symbols and images to encourage the people to believe a particular thing about someone – which may or may not be true.

 What Kind of Personality does this person look like they have? What are some signs of this?

Emperor Commodus as Hercules Architectural type: Bust. The opposite style to verism, this is idealism (facial features are simplified, shows and idealised and glorified version, usually of the emperor.) Purpose: To make the Emperor Commodus look like the God Hercules and thereby associate him with superhuman abilities and Hercules’ strength, power, immortality and divinity. Date: See Paul Artus book p.85 Dimensions and Materials used: 1.18 metres high & marble p. 72 workbook

Emperor Commodus as Hercules workbook p.73  This sculpture has features which belong to the ‘Antonine Baroque’ Explain what this means: Write down the notes under ‘style’ in Paul Artus.

Emperor Commodus as Hercules workbook p.73 Cheeks & forehead Hair & Beard Hand Eyes and eyelids The next slide has notes. Write them in here. Chest

The eyes are not painted. They are incised into the iris. He has heavy eyelids that droop over his iris. He glances to the left, an arrogant attitude, turns his head away from the viewer Eyes upturned with arched eyebrows. This all combines to create a sense of Sleepy Sensuality

Emperor Commodus as Hercules workbook p.73 Cheeks & forehead Hair & Beard Hand Eyes and eyelids ChestThe next slide has notes. Write them in here.

The textured hairy paws of the lion skin contrast the polished, smooth Powerful musculature of his chest

Emperor Commodus as Hercules workbook p.73 Cheeks & forehead Hair & Beard The next slide has notes. Write them in here. Hand Eyes and eyelids Chest

His hair: deeply drilled, detailed & elaborate curls have contrasts of light and dark areas, to create shadows on the work. His hair contrasts with the smooth highly polished skin – creating a theatrical effect.

Emperor Commodus as Hercules workbook p.73 Cheeks & forehead Polished marble gives a youthful appearance. Hair & Beard Hand Eyes and eyelids Chest

Symbol: Hercules club. Symbol: Hercules lion skin (from the 1 st of the 12 labours, killing the Nemean Lion) p.74 of your Workbooks fill In the tables

Apples of the Herispides. (the 11 th labour) Symbol: Girdle of Hippolyta (Amazon queen). The 9th labour. He killed her & defeated the Amazons Symbol: Amazon woman – represents the killing of the amazon women,

Symbol: Cornucopiae, a ‘horn of plenty’ full of fruit, representing prosperity, fertility and abundance. Represents the new golden age that Commodus has brought Symbol: Amazon sheild has a gorgon medusa head on it, referring to a greek myth Symbol: ‘Orbis Terrarum’ (orb of the world) Has a band across it, which shows signs of the zodiac, taurus (bull), capricorn (goat), and scorpio (scorpian) – important moments in Commodus life Symbol: Rosettes on orbis terrarum (orb of the world) represent stars

p.74 of your workbooks  In this box give a brief biography of Commodus: Find & write the information ‘History’ in paul artus. Then add this info: Called himself ‘Amazonius’ in his Last years Son of the previous emperor, Marcus Aurelius. He spent the first 3 years reigning with his fatherSon of the previous emperor, Marcus Aurelius. He spent the first 3 years reigning with his father He wanted to change the names of the months to his nicknames.He wanted to change the names of the months to his nicknames. Destroyed the social and political stability that Rome had experienced for 60 years

Complete all questions on p.75 of your workbook. Use Paul Artus to help you Write this next to the image of Commodus: Upper torso is Precariously balanced on the base The whole bust shows him as powerful, arrogant, god- like, idealised.

Work to do………  “Art of the Roman Empire” ( Paul Artus Study Notes) p. 84  “ Roman Art and Architecture” (Johnathan Campbell) p. 32  Workbook, p.