Compare and Contrast Pieces of Art - Essay Example

Dying Gallic Trumpeter Verses the Column of Trajan in Rome The “Dying Gallic Trumpeter” is a marble sculpture found in Julius Caesar’s garden, in Rome. The twisted neck ring and the wiry, unruly hair identify this sculpture as Gaul: a Celtic, and a “barbarian” (Ridgway 149). The “Column of Trajan” is 42 meters high including its base. On its surface winds band of reliefs around the column. This band is more than 600ft, and its width varies from 2ft to 4ft at the bottom (Ridgway 275).

There are more than 2000 carved figures signifying the story of Dacian wars between 101-102 and 105-106 A.D (Ridgway 275). This paper seeks to highlight the similarities and the differences between the “Dying Gallic Trumpeter” and the “Column of Trajan” in terms of balance of style, function, iconography, technique, and cultural meaning.Both “Dying Gallic Trumpeter” and the “Column of Trajan” are made of marble pieces. Trumpeter is nude, and the fluid motion of the marble inflicts an impression of strained-movement (Ridgway 151).

On the other hand, the “Column of Trajan” is made of 29 pieces of marble weighing up to 77ton. However, there are several differences between these two sculptures. In terms of balance, the “Dying Gallic Trumpeter” lies on his oval shield, with trumpet at his feet the. This gives it asymmetrical balance as compared to the “Column of Trajan” that stands all round erected from a base giving it symmetrical balance. Trumpeter takes the shape of a human being, while Trojan takes the shape of a tall building.

In terms of texture, Trumpeter is smoother than Trajan that has a rough surface from boom to head (Ridgway 278). Trumpeter has long, bushy mustache, hair, and neck ornament, while Trajan has a band of curved reliefs all round the column. Trumpeter signifies a “barbarian”. Culturally, in ancient Rome, a “Barbarian” was more than a monstrous enemy, but a wounded soldier, unlike their own soldiers. Trojan, on the other hand, tells the story of Dacian wars between 101-102 and 105-106 A.

D (Ridgway 275). Works CitedRidgway B. S. Hellenistic sculpture: The Styles of ca. 331-200 B.C. Wisconsin: Univ of Wisconsin Press, 2001. Print.