Cultural Wednesdays in Rome

Cultural Wednesdays are back, as I visited the Ara Pacis, a Roman alter dedicated to Pax, the goddess of Peace commissioned by Augustus, and Museo Nazionale Romano Palazzo Massimo, showing a collection of classical art and statues (which I love). I guess this was the day that I started my dissertation research, looking into Ancient Greek and Roman statues (as most of Roman sculptures were copies of lost originals from Greek sculptors) and reflection on whether we still have the same ideals on beauty. I decided to look at this as I've always been interested in Classical Civilisation and did study it as an A level, and after this years studies about the body I wanted to continue with that subject. It's good to go to Rome, as they have big collections of these sculptors compared to home and I can understand the originals of these statues more.

ARA PACIS

The monument was commissioned by the Roman Senate on July 4, 13 BC to honor the return of Augustus to Rome after three years in Hispania and Gaul. The monument consists of a traditional open-air altar at its center surrounded by precinct walls which are pierced on the eastern and western ends (so called today because of the modern layout) by openings and elaborately and finely sculpted entirely in Luna marble. This is a magnificent monument, with most of it remaining today. It was used as propaganda for Augustus to maintain prosperity across the Roman Empire and to fully identify himself as the new Emperor after successful campaigns over Hispania and Gaul. It solely represents the start of the Imperial Period within Rome.

MUSEO NAZIONALE ROMANO: PALAZZO MASSIMO

Such as beautiful museum, full of Ancient Graeco-Roman Artwork, from the Classical Period, Hellenistic Period and Roman Copies and Originals (Imperial Period). Opened in 1995 in a Renaissance Revival building, it is the latest Museum part of the Museo Nazionale Romano.

The first image on this blog is called Pugile (The Boxer), an incredible intact Bronze 2nd-Century BC Greek Statue. The fact that most of it survived is amazing, due to the fact that many bronze sculptures were melted away for other purposes after the Roman Empire. The image to the left is of Aphrodite, the Goddess of Love, a main focus within all the history of art and the first nude art work (Aphrodite at Knidos). These sculptures can be seen on the ground and 1st floor of the museum, with the basement showcasing an immense coin collection from Roman times to the Euro, and the 2nd floor shows fresco from Roman Villas.

Overall, its been an amazing day of culture and art which I have fully enjoyed.