Trajan and Michelangelo

[Sorry this is late. My alarm didn't go off this morning, and I had to hurry out before posting!]

Long day today. We had two separate sessions of Art History class, which spanned a total of about six hours and entailed a LOT of walking.

We began in the morning by taking a jaunt out to Trajan's Forum and Trajan's Column. There, Catherine explained the grand features of the forum and column. The area was both a commemerative monument to Trajan's glory and conquest over the Dacians, and a functional marketplace for citizens to frequent. In fact, the forum is in some ways regarded as the first shopping mall of sorts. Trajan's Column is a massive carved column which features one long, spiraling narrative frieze which winds around its exterior. The column is incredibly large, and it must've been quite a challenge to construct. Though much of the surrounding forum has fallen, Trajan's Column stands today as it was originally constructed (albeit now with a bronze statue of St. Peter which was added by the Catholic church).

For the latter part of the morning session, we visited the Arch of Constantine, which stands adjacent to the Coliseum (I posted a picture of it earlier, as seen from the Coliseum). Yuting described the structure to us, and how Constantine pulled together artwork and design from many preceding emperors to create his arch. Apparently some of the figures which adorn the arch have had their original carved heads removed and replaced with Constantine's. Quite a fearless rebadging/repurposing of created works...

We then had a nice four-hour break to walk back, get lunch, and finish up any last-minute reading. We always have lots of readings to do...

At 2:00 in the afternoon we reconvened to hear about the ancient Delle Rovere family, and their artwork influence on Rome. It turns out that the bridge we've been using to cross the Tiber was constructed by Pope Sixtus IV. Prof. Schultz then led us all the way back out to the Coliseum area to visit the Church of San Pietro to view Michelangelo's Moses.

I have to say, seeing a Michelangelo in person is really amazing. His level of detail and understanding of the relationship between physical reality and visual perception is absolutely first-class. The drapery and tension in Moses is stunning. The sculpture really does not feel seem a piece of marble at all. For its artistic and symbolic execution, this particular piece is widely regarded as one of Michelangelo's finest.

By contrast, Michelangelo's Risen Christ, which is housed in the Church of Santa Maria sopra Minerva is widely regarded as one of his worst. One of our readings, however, examined and disputed the negative reputation that the sculpture has attained. This piece was controversial for its nude portrayl of Christ, and apparent disproprotion of the body and cross. Two pieces of bronze were added after the sculpture was completed - one a loincloth and one a slipper. The former is self-explanatory, while the latter was used to protect the marble against the constant flow of touches by worshippers and admirers.

To be fair, the Risen Christ looks completely different from different angles. The "proper angle" reveals an emotive and powerful image much like Moses. Prof. Schultz explained to us that many, if not most, of MIchelangelo's pieces are not displayed as the original commission had specified. Thus, the height, lighting, and space of his sculptures are all different from those conditions that Michelangelo designed for. As a result, his pieces can look skewed or distorted when viewed from uninteded perspectives.

Between classes, as a treat for being such great "troopers", Lisa brought everyone to Giolitti to get gelato. Seeing as it was "free" (read: paid by our program fees), I naturally had to try it.

Yep. Cappuccino yesterday, and gelato today. New experiences abound!

Anyway, I ordered mango- and kiwi-flavor gelato. It was actually quite good - the flavors were great, and there are real pieces of fruit in each. I will say, though, that that small cone probably had more sugar than I normally consume in about a week. I did feel a little funny afterward.

This evening I had a chance to go running along the Tiber River. It's been a while, and it was good to get my heart rate at a sustained elevated level. My legs were a bit shot, though, from all of the day's walking. Pizza for dinner, video editing for the evening, and a blogging before bed. And with that, the first week of Honors Summer in Rome 2010 is complete. G'night, all.