Notes on Augustus Prima Porta Sculpture Lecture

Overview

• Location: Museums of the Vatican, Rome
• Subject: Sculpture of Augustus Prima Porta
• Augustus: First Emperor of Rome

Historical Context

• Transition of Rome: From Republic to Empire
• Augustus emerged after a period of civil war
• "Prima Porta" refers to a gate north of Rome
• Sculpture found on estate of Livia, Augustus's wife

Sculpture Details

• Likely a copy of an original bronze sculpture
• Original bronze made around 19 or 20 BCE
• Created post-Augustus's military victory over Parthians
• Parthians captured Roman standards, symbolizing Rome's defeat

Significance of the Sculpture

• Symbol of Augustus's victory over the Parthians
• Represents political ideology of the Augustan era

Artistic Features

• Naturalistic representation of the human body
  • Musculature and bone structure well-defined
  • Dynamic pose, suggesting movement
• Originally painted (eyes, hair, uniform)
• Augustus's pose: Right hand raised, weight on right leg (contrapposto)
  • Inspired by ancient Greek art, particularly Polyclitus's "Doryphoros"

Symbolism in the Sculpture

• Cupid at Augustus's feet, riding a dolphin
  • Links Augustus lineage to Venus and Aeneas
• Augustus depicted as youthful and athletic
  • Idealized portrayal, contrasting with Republican tradition of realism

Breastplate Imagery

• Armor likely made of hardened leather
• Central figure may represent personification of Rome (Roma)
• Right side: Parthian handing over a standard
  • Represents the return of military standards to Rome
• Other figures:
  • Telus (Goddess of Earth) with infants
  • Apollo (holding a lyre) and Diana (with stag)
  • Captives depicting earlier victories
  • Personifications of the sun, dawn, moon

Conclusion

• Sculpture conveys Augustus as a divine leader
• Emphasizes Rome's victory and expansion of its empire as divinely ordained.