Who is depicted in this ninth century equestrian portrait?
of Charlemagne
Portrait of Charlemagne in profile on the obverse side of a denier coined in Frankfurt from 812 to 814, today at the Cabinet des Médailles in Paris. The statuette consists of three parts: the horse, the rider’s body with the saddle, and the rider’s head.
What is the equestrian portrait of Charles the Bald made of?
bronze
It is a rare surviving example of an Ottonian bronze. It consists of three parts cast in different metal alloys: the horse, the rider’s body and saddle, and the rider’s head.
What was the likely model for Charlemagne’s or Charles the Bald’s equestrian statue?
Some researchers suggest that the rider could have been Charles the Bold, the grandson of the great King of Franks. In this case the statuette was probably created for Charles the Bold’s coronation in Metz, after his conquest of Lotharingia in 869-870.
Why is the Equestrian Statue of Marcus Aurelius so important?
The Equestrian Statue of Marcus Aurelius depicts the famous Roman Emperor on horseback. The emperor is over life-size and extends his hand in a gesture used by emperors when addressing their army and legions. It is an image designed to portray the Emperor as victorious and all-conquering.
Where is the Equestrian Statue of Marcus Aurelius?
The statue of Marcus Aurelius now rests on the hilltop of Piazza Campidoglio. While the original statue is inside of the Capitoline museum, a replica of the statue stands at the center of Piazza Campidoglio. The statue is the only surviving statue of the 22 equestrian statues of ancient Rome.
Who created the equestrian monument?
The Basilica of San Antonio (1232–1307) contains the tomb of the saint and has statues and reliefs by Donatello on the high altar. In the piazza before the basilica is Donatello’s magnificent equestrian bronze statue (set up in 1453) of the Venetian condottiere Erasmo da Narni (called Gattamelata).
What is the equestrian portrait of Charlemagne?
Work: Equestrian statuette of Charlemagne The equestrian statuette celebrates Emperor Charlemagne (742-814), king of the Franks who became Emperor of a vast territory, covering much of today’s continental Europe and unified under the sign of Christianity.
When was the Carolingian period?
The Carolingian Renaissance was the first of three medieval renaissances, a period of cultural activity in the Carolingian Empire. It occurred from the late 8th century to the 9th century, taking inspiration from the Christian Roman Empire of the fourth century.
Who made the equestrian statuette of Charlemagne?
Cornacchini’s model was Bernini’s Constantine. The choice was amply justified by the fact that Bernini’s work would have made a match with Cornacchini’s, since it is positioned on the right of the portico, beyond the door giving access to the Scala Regia.
Why wasn’t the Equestrian Statue of Marcus Aurelius destroyed?
It was first documented as a representation of Constantine in the 10th century, when it was given the name “The Horse of Constantine”. It was believed that the Senate dedicated the statue to Constantine, which in turn prevented it from being melted down as recyclable bronze.