The Augustus of Primaporta is a freestanding marble sculpture in the round.
sculpture is a larger than life 6' 8" and is an example of early Roman imperial portrait .
sculpture. This sculpture is currently displayed in the Braccio Nuovo of the Vatican Museums in .
Rome, Italy. This marble portrait of the first Roman emperor, Augustus, is a very naturalistic .
statue. Although the sculpture was carved in the early first century, at the time of the Roman .
empire, Augustus stands in a Classical Greek contrapposto pose. While the sculptor of this piece .
is unknown, we do know that he or she followed the canon of the High Classical Greek sculptor .
named Polykleitos in pose, idealization, and proportion (Stokstad, Cothren 174). The Augustus of .
Primaporta statue sends not only a message ofthe Emperor Augustus as an accomplished.
military leader, but also clearly suggests that the emperor is a divine being.
The Augustus of Primaporta is a three-dimensional sculpture. .
The statue actually occupies space; therefore there is no need to use illusion to create suggested space. However, the statue does use space, both negative and positive, to influence the viewer. The negative space between Augustus's calves forms an implied triangle, or arrow, directing the viewer's gaze upward toward the center focal point of the piece, while the positive space of the emperor's .
raised and pointed right arm forcefully pierces the space surrounding the piece. .
The Augustus of Primaporta contains both implied and rendered lines. The implied lines .
of the contrapposto pose in which the Augustus of Primaporta stands convey both a dynamic Sevy 2.
forward movement and a naturally balanced stance. Augustus stands with his weight supported .
by his tense right leg, while his left knee bends in a relaxed position. His hipline and his shoulder line are affected by this weight shift and are in opposition to one another. His left shoulder is higher than his right shoulder and his hipline slants downward on his left side suggesting a very life-like and balanced pose.