Sarcophagus of Bacchus Triumph: Analysis, Methods, Techniques - Essay Sample

Introduction

Sarcophagus of the Triumph of Bacchus (Lyon) is a sculpture that depicts the culture of the ancient Roman. From the look of the monument, one can see the style that is so unique and high quality of its reliefs. The choice of Bacchus triumphing over India which represents the mythological setting of Bacchus triumphing over the Indies (Rasmussen, 2011).

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Thesis Statement: This article will describe the Sarcophagus of the Triumph of Bacchus (Lyon), provide its analysis, methods, and techniques used and highlight the Incorporation of the Triumph of Dionysus and Sarcophagus.

Description of the Sculpture

This monument is credited to William Francis Warden Fund. This art is in stone and bronze. The medium and technique used are Marble from the Island of Proconnesus that is in the Sea of Marmara located near Istanbul (White, 2014). Sarcophagus of the Triumph of Bacchus has two registers. The first one is the vertical register that has a group of figures surrounding the Pan looking backward central figure wearing a panther skin that is a characteristic feature that represents the Bacchus's deerskin. The horizontal register from top to bottom has genre scenes. From the monument, we can see a child-Pan that stands between the Pan's legs while holding a hunting hare while playing the flute. On both sides of the Pan, there are groups of six figures. Bacchus is on the left-hand side of the relief while in his triumphant chariot. The chariot is decorated with acanthus foliage that is drawn by the two panthers. Bacchus is holding a thyrsus in his right hand while wearing the royal tunic that was worn by Hellenistic sovereigns. There is a woman's chiton that is covered with a belt at her waist. Bacchus is crowned by a Victory that is seen standing behind him while holding a palm in her hand.

Analysis of the Sculpture

From this monument, the main message is the triumph of Bacchus over India with exotic figures such as captives wearing short tunica, barbarian German trousers, and mantle and with braided hairstyles (Wright, 2016). There are an elephant, goat, and lion all of which depicts the triumph of Bacchus. Bacchus is the god of dramatic festivals and wine. In this sculpture, Bacchus is described in a full choral attitude due to the triumph as indicated by the prominent Indian elephants that have fringed cloths on their backs.

Methods and Techniques

The sculpture is archaic as the style of art that is used originates from the ancient Greece which is characterizing the human interactions hence depicting the narrative. This sculpture also shows elements of relief technique that makes the subject appear in three dimensional. Ancient Greece is a significant influence in Roman art as seen in the sculpture as it expresses the beauty of the human body as the images are of naked people. The relief sculpture is used here as a technique of giving impressions that the subjects are raised.

Incorporation of the Triumph of Dionysus and Sarcophagus

These sculptures are sarcophagus and have archaic art elements since they depict a story. This is because most of the arts of the ancient Roman incorporated most of their gods and goddesses as they were a polytheistic society. The relief sculpture described above brings out the emotions as well as the other hidden details of the statue. The monument shows the beauty of the human body that is a concept adopted from the Ancient Greek society.

References

Rasmussen, T. (2011). Bacchus Triumphs on the North Downs: the Polesden Lacey Sarcophagi. Bar International Series, 940, 335-342.

White, F. (2014). Marble Provenance Investigation of the Roman Sabine Sarcophagus. Retrieved from; https://www.researchgate.net/publication/273309624_Marble_provenance_investigation_of_the_Roman_Sabine_sarcophagus

Wright, D. H. (2016). 4.4. A Tetrarchic Frieze. The Collection of Antiquities of the American Academy in Rome, 11, 131. Retrieved from; https://www.jstor.org/stable/pdf/44423372.pdf?seq=1#page_scan_tab_contents/