Ara Pacis Auguste and Sarcophagus of Junius Bassus - Essay Example

The essay "Ara Pacis Auguste and Sarcophagus of Junius Bassus" focuses on the contrast of Ara Pacis Auguste and the Sarcophagus of Junius Bassus. The Sarcophagus of Junius Bassus is also constructed in marble and was used to encase the body of Junius Bassus. The figures on the sarcophagus are three dimensional and the figures wear draped clothing that does not show folds. In contrast the the Ara Pacis Auguste alter, the figures on the Sarcophagus have large heads but is not at all like the workmanship of that time period.

While the Ara Pacis Auguste depicts gods, the Saracophagus of Junius Bassus instead depicts Christianity. When looking at the Arch of Constantine and the Synagogue Wall Paintings from Dura-Europos, Syria, the Arch is an enormous arch in Rome near the Colosseum and was used to recognize the victory of Constantine I in the Battle of Milvian Bridge. The arch is actually comprised of three architectural arches with the largest one in the middle. The pieces are from previous structures put together to make this one landmark.

It is composed of columns that were detached while the bottom part of the arch is re-used from an older structure and the entire structure covers a huge part of area. The design on the Arch depicts Constantine next to other victorious good emperord as well as other people and symbols that represent victory in war. The Dura-Europos Synagogue was previously mistaken for a Greek temple. Instead of using the stone to use to portray characters through carving.. Some of the people in the paintings which are mostly dressed as Perisians have their eyes scratched out.

Many think that the walls were used to educate others about the history of religion rather than a tribute like the Arch does. Looking at the wall paintings from the Villa at Boscoreale, Italy and the Catacomb Paintings of the Good Shepherd and Jonah from Rome, Italy, the paintings of the Villa are comprised of plaster. It shows a golden statue that pays tribute to Diana Lucina and other large golden vases. The coloring uses a lot of bright bold reds and gilded sections while other parts of the painting are more subtle and blend in which could represent its unimportance.

The Catacomb Paintings of the Good Shepherd and Jonah is also a piece of Roman art were in common Christian burial places. The painting of Jonah is where he is thrown to sea. The lines are blurry as are the faces of the characters which is very different than the detail of the wall paintings at the Villa. While red is also a predominant color and the golden boat are similar to the works from the Villa, the paintings of both Jonah and The Good Shepherd both appear to be more weathered and less detailed.

The Good Shepherd is blurry and faceless as well and the color tones are mostly earth tones with some bright casts of golden yellow. These paintings depict Christian stories so the common theme between the two works are of the importance of Christianity during these time frames. When looking at the Equestrian Sculpture of Marcus Aurelius and the Sculpture of the Tetrarchs, the one of Marcus Aurelius is completely made of bronze. The entire sculpture stands upon a large platform with the horse's legs slightly lifted and Marcus Aurelius looking like a person of grandeur.

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