FILE: 19_Caesar Augustus of Primaporta.jpg

TITLE: SCULPTURE - Caesar Augustus of Primaporta - ROMAN

DESCRIPTION: IMPERIAL PORTRAITURE, never preferred by Greeks but preferred by Romans. Each ruler built his own monument. Combines Greek idealism and Roman individuality. Classical Greek pose (it uses Contrapposto-- see Polyklietos' Greek Spear Bearer-- slide #39 in Greek Art) BUT it differs from Greek in that it's clothed (Greeks were into perfect nude forms). Augustus is dressed as a general but barefoot=suggestion of apotheosis (divine status) after death. Romans were reality based, not death-oriented like Egyptians. They knew there was no divine rulership but claimed it anyway. Augustus claimed he was divine ruler descended from VENUS. The figure at his feet is CUPID, son of VENUS.