The Arch of Constatine: Continuity and Commemoration through Reuse
The messages which can be discerned in the sculpture programme of the Arch of Constantine are here discussed, taking as a point of departure the collective memories of late-antique Rome. The direct involvement of Constantine in the erection of the Arch is sustained through a comparison with other ex...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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University of Oslo Library
2017-12-01
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| Series: | Acta ad Archaeologiam et Artium Historiam Pertinentia |
| Online Access: | https://journals.uio.no/acta/article/view/5790 |
| _version_ | 1797693014890512384 |
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| author | Marina Prusac |
| author_facet | Marina Prusac |
| author_sort | Marina Prusac |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The messages which can be discerned in the sculpture programme of the Arch of Constantine are here discussed, taking as a point of departure the collective memories of late-antique Rome. The direct involvement of Constantine in the erection of the Arch is sustained through a comparison with other examples of Constantinian public art, architecture, and topography in Rome. Particular focus is directed to the significance of recarved portraiture, and how it could be used to commemorate earlier individuals and periods. The stance taken is that although the Arch was a recycled monument with a new, Constantinian significance, the spolia were carriers of collective memories in a society where remembrance was central. The cultural adaptation of the eye as a source of error is taken into consideration in connection with the discussion of what the ancient viewer actually perceived. The general conclusion is that the Arch of Constantine is a monument which had different messages for different groups. These messages were presented in a montage of the past, present, and future. The interpretation of the details as well as of the totality of the monument dependent partly on the viewer. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-12T02:36:27Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-86a2d11d784f472e8db33422b8db54a4 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 0065-0900 2611-3686 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-12T02:36:27Z |
| publishDate | 2017-12-01 |
| publisher | University of Oslo Library |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Acta ad Archaeologiam et Artium Historiam Pertinentia |
| spelling | doaj.art-86a2d11d784f472e8db33422b8db54a42023-09-04T14:47:41ZengUniversity of Oslo LibraryActa ad Archaeologiam et Artium Historiam Pertinentia0065-09002611-36862017-12-012511 N.S.10.5617/acta.5790The Arch of Constatine: Continuity and Commemoration through ReuseMarina PrusacThe messages which can be discerned in the sculpture programme of the Arch of Constantine are here discussed, taking as a point of departure the collective memories of late-antique Rome. The direct involvement of Constantine in the erection of the Arch is sustained through a comparison with other examples of Constantinian public art, architecture, and topography in Rome. Particular focus is directed to the significance of recarved portraiture, and how it could be used to commemorate earlier individuals and periods. The stance taken is that although the Arch was a recycled monument with a new, Constantinian significance, the spolia were carriers of collective memories in a society where remembrance was central. The cultural adaptation of the eye as a source of error is taken into consideration in connection with the discussion of what the ancient viewer actually perceived. The general conclusion is that the Arch of Constantine is a monument which had different messages for different groups. These messages were presented in a montage of the past, present, and future. The interpretation of the details as well as of the totality of the monument dependent partly on the viewer.https://journals.uio.no/acta/article/view/5790 |
| spellingShingle | Marina Prusac The Arch of Constatine: Continuity and Commemoration through Reuse Acta ad Archaeologiam et Artium Historiam Pertinentia |
| title | The Arch of Constatine: Continuity and Commemoration through Reuse |
| title_full | The Arch of Constatine: Continuity and Commemoration through Reuse |
| title_fullStr | The Arch of Constatine: Continuity and Commemoration through Reuse |
| title_full_unstemmed | The Arch of Constatine: Continuity and Commemoration through Reuse |
| title_short | The Arch of Constatine: Continuity and Commemoration through Reuse |
| title_sort | arch of constatine continuity and commemoration through reuse |
| url | https://journals.uio.no/acta/article/view/5790 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT marinaprusac thearchofconstatinecontinuityandcommemorationthroughreuse AT marinaprusac archofconstatinecontinuityandcommemorationthroughreuse |