HUM 225: Art and Culture of Rome Week 1

The artifact that I chose to write my first art piece journal on is the Obelisk which was used by The Romans as markers for the pioneers to get to the center of the city. The location of the Obelisk is in the center of the Piazza del Popolo and is about 75 feet tall weighing about 263 tons.

The Obelisks of Rome have served many purposes and have seen a lot of history not only in Rome but also Egypt. There really is no recorded artist because of how and when it was built, but it was sponsored by Ramses II, an Egyptian pharos that was known for his highly wealthy life and strong militia. Ramses II built many structures and was always looking to expand his kingdom. One of the ways that Ramses II thought would expand his kingdom was to continue to build great monuments and tombs. In fact, he wanted to build monuments that would “reach towards the stars.” The Obelisk that now sits in the Piazza del Popolo was built based on this idea, but the present Obelisk has changed since its creation.

After the Romans conquered the land and brought back with them the Obelisk. This piece was erected in the Piazza del Popolo and received new additions. The Obelisk was fixed and received new inscriptions, “Sixtus V ordered this miserably broken and overturned obelisk to be excavated, transferred, and restored, and dedicated to the invincible Cross in the year 1589, the fourth of his Pontificate.” (http://webpages.csus.edu/~sac90717/Sites/FlaminianObelisk.html) Not only was the new inscription made, but a fountain was added to the base of the obelisk of two Egyptian lions. Now the obelisks are only used as art and as an example of great history to both Romans and tourists.

The second piece that I chose to write my blog on is the Assumption of Mary painted by Daniele da Volterra. This painting is located in the Piazza del Popolo in the Trinita dei Monti and covers the inside of a side chapel of the building.

Because of the time that Daniele Da Volterra lived, his art had huge inspirations from the renaissance era and followed the same pattern as Michelangelo. In fact, after moving to Rome, Daniele became friends with Michelangelo working with him to learn receiving work. During this time, Michelangelo would ask the Pope to hire Daniele as an artist to paint some of Rome’s most beautiful artwork. (Wikipedia.com)(wga.hu).

Even after Michelangelo’s death, Daniele Da Volterra continued to work for the Pope. He was hired as the superintendent and asked to finish many art works that needed to be done such as putting loin clothes of nude sculptures that were made by Michelangelo. As you can see from the picture or if anyone would just walk into the chapel, Michelangelo did have a huge impact on Daniele Da Volterra, and that the artwork done by him is very similar to the artwork of Michelangelo.