Roman Art post #7

I decided to do option number one.
By just looking at the Bust of Commodus as Hercules, on page 203 of the text book, you can see many different things the rulers wanted to be made about themselves. The first thing I noticed on the bust was the skin of the lion on the head and the club in his hand making him look like he was strong and just had a victory against the lion. He has more of the youthful look with no wrinkles on his face and a muscular stomach. The fruit in his hand makes it look like he has an offering or is bearing a gift, meaning he was generous. The bottom of the bust has grapes that I feel represents the god of wine and there are two birds at the bottom I feel also represent a god. So this could mean he wanted people to relate him to the gods.
The portrait head of Caracalla, on page 204 of the textbook, is very different then the Bust of Hercules. First it looks older with the frustrated look that gives him some wrinkles. It gives off the persona of strength with a powerful look. He looks like someone you would not want to mess with or you would be in serious trouble. He probably would want people to associate him with being powerful and his looks to be showing he could handle anything. While his portrait looks real with the details in his face and eyes. The hair on his head seems unreal, though it has some texture to show its hair it doesn't look like hair.
Both of these sculptures look like powerful men that have had many victories in their lifetime that make them very important people. They do not have a lot of similar qualities. I feel like Hercules looks more like a powerful ruler then Caracalla. Caracalla looks like he is a powerful solider after battle or going into battle. For me though it was hard to tell what he is by looking at it because it is just his head so it doesn't show his status unlike Hercules who shows more than just a head so it gives you a better idea of the situation. They both have realistic features that make them seem life like but, Caracalla has more of the intense realism. Also like the Head of the elder that was described during the lecture. While Hercules has a realistic statue it feel like he was only a statue, meaning he looks more posed not real especially with his facial features.
Each of these sculptures serves a different purpose and is meant for specific audiences. Hercules was for all the people to show how courageous and strong he was. Also to show how good of a warrior he was by slaying a lion and skinning it to wear the skin as a head dress. I feel Caracalla was meant to show determination that he had. Also to show that he had strength by his facial expressions. This sculpture I feel was made for a small group of people to show how great he was.
All in all, while this sculptures are very different, but amazing works of art. They both show many different example of how rulers and people wanted to be seen by others. It also shows who they were made for in the first place.