Analyzing The Prima Porta Flashcards
What was the prima porta based on ?
The Doryphorus sculpted by Polykleitos
What was the sculptor that the Prima Porta was based on praised as ?
A depiction of the ideal man
How did the sculptor change the sculptor of the Prima Porta to be more Roman ?
The sculptor romanised it to promote the Augustan ideal
What are the four ways in which the statute differs to the Doryphorus ?
The right arm
The clothing
The standards
The statue of Cupid
How can we analyse the statue of Cupid ?
- At the feet of Augustus Cupid sits on the back of a diving dolphin
- Cupid being the son of Venus and the Dolphin being a symbol of her creates a thinly veiled attempt to attach the gods to his image
- further more the fact Cupid is situated by his feet creates this sense of Augustus being more powerful than a god and emphasis his power and strength
How can we always the standards ?
- central figures represent the retiring of the Roman standards that where first lost by Roman General Crassus in 53 BC
- another was lost by Mark Antony in 40BC and in 20BC Tiberius negotiated peace and had them returned
- highlights the symbolism of Bar vs Civ and is a central point in the statue
- This exacerbates Romes excellence to the onlooker as they are invited to praise the brilliance of the Roman Generals and therefore Augustus
How can we analyze the clothing ? ( breastplate)
- the breastplate portrays Augustus as a soldier and seems to highlight his more militaristic exploits that he was renowned for
- it contains several religious images such as Apollo who is Augustus’ patron god, Artemis and Tellus the Mother Earth. This plethora of religious imagery acts as a reinforcement and reminder to the onlooker of Augutus’ family links and lineage to the gods
How can we analyze what the breast plate is pared with ?
It was been combined with a senatorial togar and crests this juxtaposing imagery that perfectly represents Augustus as both an ideal militaristic leader but also a sophisticated political figure of Rome
How can we analyze the right arm/ stance of the prima porta ?
Augutus’ right arm is raised in the pose a general or emporer might use when addressing his army
This was common at the campus Marchus and subtly conveys his militaristic power once again
How can we analyse the prima portas feet? Slightly random but actually a valid point
He is depicted bare footed
This as often reserved for gods and heroes and to the Romans a living man could not be a god
This again subtly conveys his almost god like image and façade that he held himself to
What is the name of the stance ?
The contropposto pose
Mimics golden age Greek designs therefore implying Augusts will bring back those same times
What does the Prima Porta have to do? Think Baton ?
The consular Baton
Metonym of political power and usually heals by the head console of government
