Sorry Can't Lend Any Money, I'm Pretty Baroque

Hello everybody, today I am going to write about the first ever failed group pyramid, AKA the Grand Ludovisi Sarcophagus.

 

 

There is a lot to unpack when it comes to this piece, the main thing being the influence of royalty that shows in Roman art and culture, highlighting the values and power of the elite. Created around 250-260 AD, it is known for its elaborate carvings depicting a battle between Roman soldiers and barbarians. If you were to ask how it relates to Baroque art, I'd think you were just being rhetorical. Just look at the lack of space anywhere on this work; everything is jumbled together, all on top of each other, going in every direction. There are layers of different characters that make it hard to discern where one person begins and another ends. To add to that, the deep carvings create a dark shadow look that gives it a dramatic contrast between light and dark. You can also see it in the hair and faces of the barbarians.

In many ways, you can see how the Romans wanted to beat their chests when it comes to their superiority over other nations. If you look at the Roman army, you can see that their expressions look more heroic due to their calm expressions and smooth features, whereas the barbarians have startled expressions and rugged features. Also, if you look closely at the top middle, you see one figure riding a horse with his arm outstretched. I think this is propaganda on the Roman side, showing the (maybe) leader's calmness and control in the midst of the chaos.

The Grand Ludovisi Sarcophagus is a great example of how royalty influenced Roman art. The detailed carvings show a powerful Roman leader in the middle of a battle, symbolizing strength and leadership, which were important qualities for Roman rulers. This sarcophagus was probably made for someone rich and important, showing off their status and power. I think it is an amazing piece; I love chaos presented in an absolutely beautiful way. The detail is truly stunning—it would take 10 generations of Sims to get one figure right, let alone the whole sarcophagus. I could definitely see myself altering it to be a doghouse for my beloved Max.

 

 Reference Links

Battle of the Romans and Barbarians (Ludovisi Battle Sarcophagus), c. 250-260 C.E., Khan Academy, www.khanacademy.org/humanities/ap-art-history/ancient-mediterranean-ap/ap-ancient-rome/v/battle-of-the-romans-and-barbarians-ludovisi-battle-sarcophagus-c-250-260-c-e.

"Ludovisi Sarcophagus." Judaism and Rome, www.judaism-and-rome.org/ludovisi-sarcophagus.