Questions: First, identify the TITLES and TIME PERIODS for both sculptures on the screen. Title Options (only two titles will be used): Portrait of Augustus as General; Heroic Portrait of Trebonianus Gallus; Pericles; Portrait of Septimius Severus and his family; Portraits of the Four Tetrarchs Time period: Greek, Etruscan, Roman, Late Antique Then address the following question: These two sculptures depict emperors. Discuss the stylistic treatment of each, noting similarities and/or differences in pose, dress, rendering of the anatomy and facial features, and other iconographic details. Then comment on how the physical rendering of each work demonstrates certain attitudes about these leaders and imperial rule at the time in which they were created.

First, identify the TITLES and TIME PERIODS for both sculptures on the screen. Title Options (only two titles will be used): Portrait of Augustus as General; Heroic Portrait of Trebonianus Gallus; Pericles; Portrait of Septimius Severus and his family; Portraits of the Four Tetrarchs

Time period: Greek, Etruscan, Roman, Late Antique Then address the following question: These two sculptures depict emperors. Discuss the stylistic treatment of each, noting similarities and/or differences in pose, dress, rendering of the anatomy and facial features, and other iconographic details. Then comment on how the physical rendering of each work demonstrates certain attitudes about these leaders and imperial rule at the time in which they were created.

Transcript text: First, identify the TITLES and TIME PERIODS for both sculptures on the screen. Title Options (only two titles will be used): Portrait of Augustus as General; Heroic Portrait of Trebonianus Gallus; Pericles; Portrait of Septimius Severus and his family; Portraits of the Four Tetrarchs Time period: Greek, Etruscan, Roman, Late Antique Then address the following question: These two sculptures depict emperors. Discuss the stylistic treatment of each, noting similarities and/or differences in pose, dress, rendering of the anatomy and facial features, and other iconographic details. Then comment on how the physical rendering of each work demonstrates certain attitudes about these leaders and imperial rule at the time in which they were created.

Solution

Solution Steps

Step 1: Identify the Titles and Time Periods

Photo 1: Portrait of Augustus as General (Roman) Photo 2: Portraits of the Four Tetrarchs (Late Antique)

Step 2: Discuss Stylistic Treatment

Photo 1: Augustus is depicted in a naturalistic yet idealized style. His pose is contrapposto, conveying a sense of ease and authority. The detailed rendering of his armor and drapery emphasizes his military role and imperial status. His facial features are individualized, projecting an image of youthful confidence and strength. This realistic portrayal reflects the Roman emphasis on verism, tempered by the need to present the emperor as a dignified and powerful figure.

Photo 2: The Tetrarchs are portrayed in a more abstract and stylized manner. Their stiff poses and identical appearances convey a sense of unity and shared power. The figures lack individual facial features and are rigidly frontal, creating an impersonal and hieratic effect. The simplified forms and emphasis on symbolism are characteristic of Late Antique art, which moved away from the naturalism of earlier Roman styles.

Step 3: Comment on Attitudes about Leadership

Photo 1: Augustus's portrait reflects the Augustan ideology of a single, powerful ruler who brought peace and prosperity after a period of civil war. The emphasis on his military role and idealized features promotes the image of a strong and capable leader who embodies Roman virtues.

Photo 2: The portrayal of the Tetrarchs reflects the political realities of the later Roman Empire, characterized by shared power and instability. The stiff poses and identical figures suggest an attempt to project an image of unity and strength in a period of crisis. The lack of individualization and emotional expression reflects a shift away from the emphasis on individual leadership that characterized earlier Roman art.

Final Answer:

The Portrait of Augustus as General (Roman) and the Portraits of the Four Tetrarchs (Late Antique) depict emperors in distinct stylistic approaches that reflect the changing political and cultural contexts of the Roman Empire. The naturalistic portrayal of Augustus emphasizes his individual authority and military power, while the stylized representation of the Tetrarchs underscores the concept of shared rule and reflects the shift towards abstraction and symbolism in Late Antique art. These stylistic differences reveal the evolving attitudes toward imperial leadership and power across these different eras.

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