The original has largely become a piece of artwork to be admired or studied, instead of functioning within modern Rome. Ironically, an exceptionally carefully made copy located at the center of the Campidoglio Piazza seems to better encompass the original intent. This cultural biography showcases the different interpretations the equestrian statue has been associated with as its location has changed. Senior Independent Study Theses. Paper The Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius built the statue likely towards the end of his reign from AD.
He was revered for his efforts to fend off barbarian and Persian invasions, and built the statue as a reflection of his military prowess. However, the statue and legacy of Marcus Aurelius was close to being lost forever, due to the statue being moved, and being associated with many different names. The statue was originally built as early as AD. It was believed that the Senate dedicated the statue to Constantine, which in turn prevented it from being melted down as recyclable bronze. And the style achieved its popularity thanks to one statue in Rome.
Most ancient Roman equestrian statues were melted down by the Catholic Church in the Middle Ages, but this influential example—a classical bronze of Emperor Marcus Aurelius dating to around CE—survived due to a case of mistaken identity. For centuries it stood in the Lateran [palace], until it was transferred, in , to the Campidoglio [Capitoline Hill] by Michelangelo; it survived largely because it was erroneously believed to be an effigy of Constantine , the first Christian emperor.
By a combination of this unjustified attribution, its own artistic merits, and its conspicuous presence, it served as a model for the majority of equestrian statues throughout the entire history of European art.
The equestrian statue of Marcus Aurelius stood in the open air of Rome until it was replaced with a copy in Over the centuries, its pose and dynamic presence inspired the way other rulers were portrayed. Notably, the larger-than-life Marcus Aurelius, who oversaw warfare in his reign, has his arm in the adlocutio salute that an emperor would give his troops, but he holds no weapons and has no military trappings.
Shaping popular perception of benevolence and peace through statuary became just as essential as reinforcing power. Mezzatesta writes in The Art Bulletin. Marcus Aurelius was hardly the only Roman leader to be rendered on horseback, with this gesture, but he quickly became the most famous, owing to his prominent position in Rome. The influence spread across Europe during the Renaissance, when there was an increased interest in the art of the ancient world. The statue was erected ca. Marcus Aurelius is riding without the use of stirrups, which had not yet been introduced to the West.
The saddle cloth design is Sarmatian in origin. The Sarmatians were a sizeable Iranian confederation, and it is believed that the horse is a Sarmatian horse and that the statue was created to honor the victory over the Sarmatians by Marcus Aurelius. This bronze statue stands 4. For hundreds of years previously, it stood in the open air of the Piazza del Campidoglio, and today a replica made in now stand where this original formerly stood. Many imperial equestrian statues did not survive because it was the common practice to melt down bronze statues for the reuse of the bronze for coins or new sculptures.
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. Michelangelo designed a special pedestal for it.
Replica standing in the open air of the Piazza del Campidoglio.
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