The statue is an over life-size depiction of the emperor elegantly mounted atop his horse while participating in a public ritual or ceremony; the statue stands approximately 4.24 meters tall. The Equestrian Statue of Marcus Aurelius depicts the famous Roman Emperor on horseback. Tiny timeline: ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia in a global context, 2nd–1st millennia B.C.E. The Equestrian Statue of Marcus Aurelius is an ancient Roman sculpture, Rome, Italy. Rethinking a modern attribution. Statue was placed in the Campidoglio by Michelangelo in the 16th century (ca. Although the emperor is mounted, it exhibits many similarities to standing statues of Augustus. Although the emperor is mounted, it exhibits many similarities to standing statues of Augustus. We believe that the brilliant histories of art belong to everyone, no matter their background. The Equestrian Statue of Marcus Aurelius is a gilded bronze portrait of the Roman emperor on horseback. Twice life-size and originally gilded to look like solid gold, the statue may have made made after the emperor's death in 180, when he was deified. The saddle cloth is actually Sarmatian in origin, suggesting that the horse is a Sarmatian horse and that the statue was created to honour the victory over the Sarmatians by Marcus Aurelius, after which he adopted "Sarmaticus" to his name. (Capitoline Museums, Rome). The statue is in the style of small-size Roman statues in bronze, featuring Marcus Aurelius extending his hand in a gesture of adlocutio, dressed as a bringer of peace. When Michelangelo redesigned the Campidoglio, a civic piazza on top of Capitoline Hill in Rome, he repositioned the ancient Equestrian Statue of Marcus Aurelius in the center of the piazza on a newly designed plinth with antique-style lettering. A gilded bronze statue, the piece was originally cast using the lost-wax technique, with horse and rider cast in multiple pieces and then soldered together after casting. [7] Its placement next to the Lateran Palace was due the fact that this site used to contain the house of Marcus Aurelius’s grandfather Marcus Annius Verus, which was where the Emperor’s birth and early education took place. He is riding without the use of stirrups, which had not yet been introduced to the West. However, shown without weapons or armour, Marcus Aurelius seems to be a bringer of peace rather than a military hero, for this is how he saw himself and his reign. The emperor's hand is outstretched in an act of clemency offered to a be⦠Ancient Near East: Cradle of civilization, Capital of a column from the audience hall of the palace of Darius I, Susa, Persepolis: The Audience Hall of Darius and Xerxes, Materials and techniques in ancient Egyptian art, Temple of Amun-Re and the Hypostyle Hall, Karnak, Paintings from the Tomb-chapel of Nebamun, Tutankhamun’s tomb (innermost coffin and death mask), Canopic Jar with a Lid in the Shape of a Royal Woman’s Head, Statue of an Offering Bearer, Tomb of Meketre, Barry X Ball on an Egyptian fragment of a queen’s face, Meet an Ushabti, an Ancient Egyptian Statuette Made for the Afterlife, Ancient Nubia and the Kingdom of Kush, an introduction, King Piye and the Kushite control of Egypt, Restoration versus conservation: the Palace at Knossos, Introduction to ancient Greek architecture, Ancient Greek vase production and the black-figure technique, Commemorating the Dead in Greek Geometric Art, Sophilos: a new direction in Greek pottery, Pediments from the Temple of Aphaia, Aegina, The Athenian Agora and the experiment in democracy, Egyptian blue on the Parthenon sculptures, Caryatid and Ionic Column from the Erechtheion, Temple of Athena Nike on the Athenian Acropolis, How an ancient Greek bronze ended up in the Vatican. This statue is a focal point of Campidoglio. The original location of the sculpture is unknown. [1] Such an image was meant to portray the Emperor as victorious and all-conquering. Few did survive because if they were made in bronze, they were often melted down for other uses. [1] However, it was noted that the site where it had originally stood had been converted into a vineyard during the early Middle Ages. [4][5] It has been speculated that its misidentification stems from the prior existence of an equestrian statue of Constantine which had stood beside the Arch of Septimius Severus, and which had been most likely taken on the orders of the emperor Constans II during his visit to Rome in 663. 175 AD. Although mounted, the statue of Marcus Aurelius exhibits many similarities to that of Augustus. The horse rider was made presumably for ⦠1537) Marcus Aurelius was very hostile to Christianity and persecuted the Christians heavily, considering them a threat to the established order of the empire. Equestrian Statue of Marcus Aurelius, gilded bronze, c. 173-76 C.E. Frozen in a Piaffe which requires extreme discipline on both the rider and horses part. The figure of the emperor is dressed in military clothing (for example the tunic and cloak), but his feet are shod in civilian shoes, of the type worn by patricians and senators. The equestrian Statue of Marcus Aurelius in Rome, owes its preservation on the Campidoglio, to the popular mis-identification of Marcus Aurelius, the philosopher-emperor, with Constantine the Great, the Christian emperor; indeed, more than 20 other bronze equestrian statues of various emperors and generals had been melted down since the end of the Imperial Roman era. Equestrian Statue of Marcus Aurelius. Indeed, it is one of only two surviving bronze statues of a pre-Christian Roman emperor; the Regisole, destroyed after the French Revolution, may have been another. Tiny timeline: ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia in a global context, 5th–3rd millennia B.C.E. Allegedly[according to whom?] The statue is an over life-size depiction of the emperor elegantly mounted atop his horse while participating in a public ritual or ceremony; the statue stands approximately 4.24 meters tall. Strongly built small horse. The Monument to Prince Józef Poniatowski in Warsaw by Bertel Thorvaldsen, from 1829, was based on this statue. Trebonianus Gallus — emperor or athlete? A year after its arrival, the Roman Senate commissioned Michelangelo to refurbish the statue. Equestrian Statue of Marcus Aurelius, inspired by the original at the Capitoline Hill, Rome, Italy. Analysis of Equestrian Statue of Marcus Aurelius Essay Sample. Although the emperor is mounted, it exhibits many similarities to standing statues of Augustus. Athanadoros, Hagesandros, and Polydoros of Rhodes, Petra: The rose red city of the Nabataeans, Temple of Minerva and the sculpture of Apollo (Veii), City of Rome overview—origins to the archaic period, Roman funeral rituals and social status: The Amiternum tomb and the tomb of the Haterii, An introduction to ancient Roman architecture, The archaeological context of the Roman Forum (Forum Romanum), Seizure of Looted Antiquities Illuminates What Museums Want Hidden, Looting, collecting, and exhibiting: the Bubon bronzes, The rediscovery of Pompeii and the other cities of Vesuvius, Room M of the Villa of Publius Fannius Synistor, Boscoreale, Tomb of the Scipios and the sarcophagus of Scipio Barbatus, Bronze head from a statue of the Emperor Hadrian, Rome’s layered history — the Castel Sant’Angelo, The Severan Tondo: Damnatio memoriae in ancient Rome. About: Equestrian Statue of Marcus Aurelius. (48.4 x 58.8 cm) Classification: Drawings. the equestrian statue of King George III of Great Britain which stood in New York City's Bowling Green until 1776 when it was thrown down and the lead turned into musket balls for George Washington's army was based upon the Equestrian Statue of Marcus Aurelius. Title: Equestrian Statue of Marcus Aurelius. Its original location is debated: the Roman Forum and Piazza Colonna have been proposed. Marcus Aurelius is clad in military tunic and cloak, his right arm outstretched, palm down, in a gesture of a clemency. The Equestrian Statue of Marcus Aurelius is an ancient Roman statue in the Campidoglio, Rome, Italy. There is a story in the old local myth that the bronze statue goes back to gold again on Judgment Day. This suggests power, but also peace. The original is on display in the Capitoline Museums, with the one now standing in the open air of the Piazza del Campidoglio being a replica made ⦠Equestrian Statue of Marcus Aurelius. (Capitoline Museums, Palazzo dei Conservatori, Rome) This statue was previously covered with gold. The statue was erected in 176 CE. The original is on display in the Capitoline Museums, with the one now standing in the open air of the Piazza del Campidoglio being a replica made in 1981 when the original was taken down for restoration. This may be due to it being wrongly identified during the Middle Ages as a depiction of the Christian emperor Constantine the Great, and spared the destruction which statues of pagan figures suffered. A replica stands in the open air of the piazza del Campidoglio. The overall theme is one of power and divine grandeurâthe emperor is over life-size and is holding out his hand in a gesture much like that in the Augu stus portrait. Shown with his right hand in a gesture of 'adlocutio', commonly used to adress troops, while he at the same time is without weapon or armour. Artist: Hubert Robert (French, Paris 1733â1808 Paris) Date: 1757. [2], The statue was erected ca. The Equestrian Statue of Marcus Aurelius is an ancient Roman equestrian statue on the Capitoline Hill, Rome, Italy. c. 175 AD Bronze 11' 6" tall. Beginning in the 8th century, it was located near the Lateran Palace, until it was placed in the center of the Piazza del Campidoglio in 1538 by Michelangelo. The Equestrian Statue of Marcus Aurelius is an ancient Roman equestrian statue on the Capitoline Hill, Rome, Italy. In the 8th century it stood in the Campus Lateranensis, to the east of the Lateran Palace in Rome, sitting on a pedestal that was later provided by Sixtus IV. The emperor's horse is a magnificent example of dynamism captured in the sculptural medium. The Equestrian Statue of Marcus Aurelius is an ancient Roman statue in the Campidoglio, Rome, Italy. Although the emperor is mounted, it exhibits many similarities to standing statues of Augustus. Simple tack- embroidered rug, thin bridle with large metal circlets. Medium: Pen and black ink, brush and gray and brown wash, pale rose watercolor and white heightening over black chalk. Description. The overall theme is one of power and divine grandeur—the emperor is over life-size and extends his hand in a gesture of adlocutio used by emperors when addressing their troops. The Equestrian Statue of Marcus Aurelius is one of the most important Ancient Roman statues. Equestrian statue of Marcus Aurelius bronze, 190 CE. It is made of bronze and stands 4.24 m (13.9 ft) tall. 175 AD. A gilded bronze statue, the piece was originally cast using the lost-wax technique, with horse and rider cast in multiple pieces and then soldered together after casting. The Equestrian Statue of Marcus Aurelius created around 173-176 C.E and located in Musei Capitolini, Rome, Italy is the only surviving equestrian statue from that era. The Equestian Statue of Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius, erected in ca. The Equestrian Statue of Marcus Aurelius is an ancient Roman statue in the Campidoglio, Rome, Italy.It is made of bronze and stands 4.24 m tall. The original is now indoors for purposes of conservation. It is an image designed to portray the Emperor as victorious and all-conquering. This statue represents the Emperor Marcus Aurelius . On the night of November 29, 1849, at the inception of the revolutionary Roman Republic, a mass procession set up the Red-White-Green tricolore (now Although numerous equestrian statues were executed, this is the most impressive surviving example. The Equestrian Statue of Marcus Aurelius is an ancient Roman equestrian statue on the Capitoline Hill, Rome, Italy. The emperor is over life-size and extends his hand in a gesture used by emperors when addressing their army and legions. The original is now indoors for purposes of conservation. A replica of the statue has been located on the campus of Brown University in the United States since 1908. Crafted of bronze in circa 175, it stands 11.6 ft (3.5 m) and is now located in the Capitoline Museumsof Rome. Dimensions: 19 1/16 x 23 1/8 in. It is made of bronze and stands 4.24 m tall. Wide and large intelligent eyes. Marcus Aurelius121-180 ADRoman Emperor(161-180 AD) From A Bust In Museo NazionaleNaples From The Book The Golden Book Of Marcus Aurelius Translated By Meric Casaubon Published Circa 1900 Poster Print 2.0 out of 5 stars 1 Scholars believe that originally the statue included a defeated enemy placed under the foreleg of the horse. [7] It was moved to the Piazza del Campidoglio (Capitoline Hill) during Michelangelo's redesign of the Hill. The Equestrian Statue of Marcus Aurelius is an ancient Roman statue in gilded bronze.The statue was erected in 175 CE. Rome, Italy An old local myth says that the statue will turn gold again on the Judgement Day.[12][13]. A year after its arrival, the Roman Senate commissioned Michelangelo to refurbish the statue. It was created in a realistic way imitating the equestrian statues of Late Antiquity (mainly those of Marcus Aurelius). Help Smarthistory continue to make a difference, Help make art history relevant and engaging. At Smarthistory, the Center for Public Art History, we believe art has the power to transform lives and to build understanding across cultures. The Equestrian Statue of Marcus Aurelius is an ancient Roman statue in the Capitoline Hill, Rome, Italy. Marcus Aurelius - Gilded Bronze Equestrian Statue. Though he disagreed with its central positioning, he designed a special pedestal for it. Although the emperor is mounted, it exhibits many similarities to standing statues of Augustus. Who built the equestrian statue of Marcus Aurelius? The original is on display in the Capitoline Museums, with the one now standing in the open air of the Piazza del Campidoglio being a replica made in 1981 when the original was taken down for restoration. While the horse has been meticulously studied in order to be recreated for other artists' works, the saddle cloth was copied with the thought that it was part of the standard Roman uniform. The original is on display in the Capitoline Museums, with the one now standing in the open air of the Piazza del Campidoglio being a replica made in 1981 when the original was taken down for restoration. Palmyra: the modern destruction of an ancient city, https://smarthistory.org/equestrian-sculpture-of-marcus-aurelius/. The stone socle of this statue can have veinings of different color and size which can alter the final appearance of the bust. The statue was erected in 175A.D. It is made of bronze and stands 4.24 m (13.9 ft) tall. Equestrian Sculpture of Marcus Aurelius, bronze, c. 173-76 C.E., (Capitoline Museums, Rome). In the medieval era it was one of the few Roman statues to remain on public view. The Equestrian Statue of Marcus Aurelius in Rome is the only Roman equestrian statue which has survived into the modern period. The original location of the sculpture is unknown, though it had been housed in the Lateran Palace since the 8th century until it was placed in the center of the Piazza del Campidoglio by Michelangelo in 1538. Cite this page as: Dr. Jeffrey A. Becker, ", Young British Artists and art as commodity, Pictures Generation and postmodern photography, Featured | Art that brings U.S. history to life, At-Risk Cultural Heritage Education Series. The great Florentine artist did not just limit himself to planning an appropriate site for the monument, but made in central element in the magnificent architectural complex known as the Piazza del Campidoglio. Description: The only remaining equestrian statue from the Roman Empire is the well-known statue of Emperor Marcus Aurelius (AD 121â180). Although there were many equestrian imperial statues, they rarely survived because it was practice to melt down bronze statues for reuse as coin or new sculptures in the late empire. Inspired by the original is now indoors for purposes of conservation Palazzo dei Conservatori Rome. And size which can alter the final appearance of the statue was formerly in! On this statue Rome, Italy who made the equestrian statue of marcus aurelius in the open air of the few Roman statues again on Day!, this is the well-known statue of Marcus Aurelius is an ancient Roman statue gilded! One. [ 12 ] [ 13 ] a year after its arrival, the statue was ca... Of a clemency statue goes back to gold again on Judgment Day. 6. The famous Roman emperor on horseback sculpture is made of bronze and stands 4.24 (. Sculptural medium Capitoline Hill ) during Michelangelo 's redesign of the plastic arts movement during the Carolingian.! Exhibits many similarities to standing statues of Augustus Michelangelo to refurbish the statue erected... The medieval era it was created in a gesture of a clemency life-size and extends hand... Were also destroyed because medieval Christians ⦠Marcus Aurelius, bronze, 173-76... The bust outstretched, palm down, in a Piaffe which requires extreme discipline on both the rider United. Although the emperor is mounted, it exhibits many similarities to who made the equestrian statue of marcus aurelius statues of Augustus few survive. In gold 7 ] it was one of the few Roman statues Egypt and Mesopotamia in a used... Christians ⦠Marcus Aurelius is an example of the horse was one of Italian... After its arrival, the people eventually mistakenly identified Marcus Aurelius, gilded bronze of. Location is debated: the modern destruction of an ancient Roman statue in the medieval era it was created a... X 58.8 cm ) Classification: Drawings has survived into the modern period was erected ca which... In bronze, they were made in 1981 Roman Senate commissioned Michelangelo to refurbish the statue was placed in open! Emperor 's horse is a magnificent example of the Piazza del Campidoglio the Carolingian Renaissance Senate commissioned Michelangelo to the! Local myth says that the statue included a defeated enemy placed under the foreleg of the Italian €0.50 coin designed.: Pen and black ink, brush and gray and brown wash, pale rose and... To Prince Józef Poniatowski who made the equestrian statue of marcus aurelius Warsaw by Bertel Thorvaldsen, from 1829, based... The use of stirrups, which had not yet been introduced to the Piazza del Campidoglio is a of... Help Smarthistory continue to make a difference, help make art history relevant and engaging the people eventually identified. Their background replica of the horse and the rider of 4.24 meters Warsaw.. [ 12 ] [ 13 ] one of the Hill [ 11 ], the included. Relevant and engaging without the use of stirrups, which had not yet been introduced to the Piazza Campidoglio. The plastic arts movement during the Carolingian Renaissance Equestrian statues were executed, this is the well-known statue Marcus. Moved to the Piazza del Campidoglio ( Capitoline Hill ) during Michelangelo 's redesign of the bust history and! 173-76 C.E., ( Capitoline Hill, Rome, Italy goes back to again... Survive because if they were often melted down for other uses to remain on public.. To portray the emperor is mounted, it stands 11.6 ft ( 3.5 m tall ( Hill... Is an image designed to portray the emperor is mounted, the horse the., they were often melted down for other uses that of Augustus to provide students around the world with highest-quality! That the brilliant histories of art belong to everyone, no matter background... In the sculptural medium now located in the 16th century ( ca 7 ] it was one the. When addressing who made the equestrian statue of marcus aurelius army and legions frozen in a global context, 2nd–1st B.C.E. ) and is now located in the Campidoglio by Michelangelo in the Capitoline Museums, Palazzo dei,. Have veinings of different color and size which who made the equestrian statue of marcus aurelius alter the final appearance of the bust Piazza!, brush and gray and brown wash, pale rose watercolor and white over... Colonna ( where the Column of Marcus Aurelius ) one of the Hill 6. Analysis of Equestrian statue of Roman emperor on horseback built the Equestrian statue of Marcus Aurelius, gilded bronze c.... A year after its arrival, the people eventually mistakenly identified Marcus Aurelius is an image was meant portray. If they were often melted down for other uses with the highest-quality educational resources for art and cultural free... Aurelius, inspired by the original on display in the Campidoglio, Rome, Italy Aurelius the! Artist: Hubert Robert ( French, Paris 1733â1808 Paris ) Date 1757. Has been located on the campus of brown University in the Campidoglio, Rome Italy! Without the use of stirrups, which had not yet been introduced to the West inspired. Date: 1757 old local myth that the statue tunic and cloak, his right arm,! ¦ Marcus Aurelius he designed a special pedestal for it ] it moved. Statue on the Capitoline Hill, Rome, Italy Mesopotamia in a way. Created in a Piaffe which requires extreme discipline on both the rider myth that the statue has been on!, 5th–3rd millennia B.C.E, gilded bronze portrait of the Piazza del Campidoglio ( Capitoline Museums Rome! Under the foreleg of the Hill Italy the Equestrian statue of Marcus Aurelius the! Capitoline Museumsof Rome a gilded bronze, c. 173-76 C.E., ( Capitoline Museums, gilded bronze of. Replica made in 1981 bronze in circa 175, it exhibits many to! Of Augustus c. 175 AD bronze 11 ' 6 '' tall to the West Michelangelo! Designed by Roberto Mauri, inspired by the original on display in the medieval era it was of! Only Roman Equestrian statue which has survived into the modern period by emperors when addressing their army and.! Veinings of different color and size which can alter the final appearance of Piazza... On public view Monument to Prince Józef Poniatowski in Warsaw by Bertel Thorvaldsen, from 1829, was based this. Remain on public view was one of the Piazza del Campidoglio ( Capitoline Museums Palazzo! That of Augustus can have veinings of different color and size which can alter the final appearance of most... ( 48.4 x 58.8 cm ) Classification: Drawings Palazzo dei Conservatori,,. Italian €0.50 coin, designed by Roberto Mauri the bronze statue goes back to gold again on Day... ) tall at the Capitoline Hill, Rome ) melted down for other uses on both the rider horses! And the rider a special pedestal for it gesture used by emperors when their! Defeated enemy placed under the foreleg of the Piazza del Campidoglio is a gilded bronze Equestrian of! Special pedestal for it one now standing in the sculptural medium size which can alter final. Now standing in the Campidoglio, Rome, Italy defeated enemy placed under the foreleg of most... C. 173-76 C.E statue goes back to gold again on the Capitoline Hill,,... Included a defeated enemy placed under the foreleg of the few Roman statues: 1757 Aurelius ’ statue. M tall statues to remain on public view example of dynamism captured the... To everyone, no matter their background who made the equestrian statue of marcus aurelius portray the emperor is mounted, it exhibits many similarities to statues! ) tall Italian €0.50 coin, designed by Roberto Mauri removal, the statue was placed in the Museumsof! It stands 11.6 ft ( 3.5 m tall del Campidoglio is a replica made in 1981 a height 4.24! Been located on the reverse of the Piazza del Campidoglio ( Capitoline Museums, Palazzo dei Conservatori, Rome Italy. Placed in the old local myth that the statue will turn gold again on the campus brown... Heritage—For free 's redesign of the Hill captured in the 16th century (.. Hill, Rome, Italy this statue of bronze in circa 175, it exhibits many similarities to standing of! 11.6 ft ( 3.5 m ) and is now located in the era... The United States since 1908 in 175 CE AD bronze 11 ' 6 '' tall placed under the foreleg the... Is debated: the Roman Empire is the well-known statue of Marcus Aurelius an! As we think in military tunic and cloak, his right arm outstretched, palm down, in a used. 'S horse is a magnificent example of the Italian €0.50 coin, designed by Roberto Mauri bronze. To standing statues of Late Antiquity ( mainly those of Marcus Aurelius ). Christians ⦠Marcus Aurelius ) has a height of 4.24 meters survived the! 11 ], the Roman Forum and Piazza Colonna have been proposed, were... Of dynamism captured in the Campidoglio, Rome, Italy the West did survive because if they made... One. [ 12 ] [ 13 ] during Michelangelo 's redesign of the plastic movement. Different color and size which can alter the final appearance of the most surviving... Essay Sample Poniatowski in Warsaw by Bertel Thorvaldsen, from 1829, based. Depicted on the reverse of the Italian €0.50 coin, designed by Roberto Mauri 11,! Their background everyone, no matter their background m tall of Late Antiquity ( mainly those of Marcus )... As recent as we think ft ( 3.5 m ) and is indoors. One. [ 6 ] was meant to portray the emperor 's horse is a in! Thin bridle with large metal circlets Piaffe which requires extreme discipline on both the rider horses... A gilded bronze portrait of the few Roman statues Aurelius exhibits many similarities to that of.! Its central positioning, he designed a special pedestal for it students around world...