The statue of Marcus Aurelius now rests on the hilltop of Piazza Campidoglio. While the original statue is inside of the Capitoline museum, a replica of the statue stands at the center of Piazza Campidoglio. The statue is the only surviving statue of the 22 equestrian statues of ancient Rome.
What does the Marcus Aurelius statue represent?
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 is the Equestrian Statue of Marcus Aurelius so famous?
The equestrian statue of Marcus Aurelius is an enduring monument, one that links the city’s many phases, ancient and modern. It has borne witness to the city’s imperial glory, post-imperial decline, its Renaissance resurgence, and even its quotidian experience in the twenty-first century.
Why was the Equestrian Statue of Marcus Aurelius never melted down?
The Equestrian Statue of Marcus Aurelius in Christian Rome owes its preservation to the misidentification of Marcus Aurelius with Constantine the Great, the Christian Emperor. In the medieval era, it was one of the few Roman statues to remain on public view because it was assumed to be the first Christian Emporer.
Who created the statue of Marcus Aurelius?
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 period is the Equestrian Statue of Marcus Aurelius from?
The Equestrian Statue of Marcus Aurelius is a gilded bronze portrait of the Roman emperor on horseback. It was likely created in the 170s CE, around the time Marcus Aurelius defeated several Germanic tribes.
What does the Arch of Constantine celebrate?
Dedicated by the Senate in AD 315, the tenth anniversary (decennalia) of the emperor’s reign, the Arch of Constantine (Arcus Constantini) commemorates the victory of Constantine over Maxentius at the Battle of Milvian Bridge in AD 312 for sole control of the Roman empire in the west.
Who made Pieta sculpture?
Pietà, marble sculpture by Michelangelo, 1499; in St. Peter’s Basilica, Vatican City. Michelangelo accepted the challenge of creating a statue for the cathedral of Florence. The artist’s prominence, established by this work, was reinforced at once by the commission (1501) of the David for the cathedral of Florence.
