(AM2) Theme of Power and Authority

Theme of Power and Authority

Images of power and authority have never ceased to be prevalent throughout the history of art. Leaders learned to use such images to convince their societies of their majesty and ability to rule. Yet, many of these images and structures vary greatly due to the societies in which they were produced. Power assumes many forms, reflecting the values and beliefs of a people.

The use of precious materials, the incorporation of symbolic motifs, and the representation of animals associated with qualities such as strength or ferocity characterize a few of these forms. The selected works of art represent power relationships through their forms, aesthetic conception, and meanings. 

Questions for Thought

  • How do you define power?
  • In what ways might art and power be connected?
  • How can the arts portray the authority of an individual or community?
  • What parts do clothing, adornment, and regalia play in commanding respect?
  • Who become the leaders of a society? How does this vary from one culture to another? Why are the emblems of leadership important to a leader?
  • Why are so many artworks associated with animals? What makes the animal such a powerful metaphor?

 

The College Board has used this theme on the AP Art History exam predominantly over the years. This review component has been designed to help you explore this theme.

In the Ancient Mediterranean I module, you were introduced to the art of the Near East and Egypt. The following list is just a few examples:

  • Palette of King Narmer. Predynastic Egypt. c. 3000 - 2920 B.C.E. Greywacke.
  • Standard of Ur from the Royal Tombs at Ur (modern Tell el-Muqayyar, Iraq). Sumerian. 2400 B.C.E. Wood inlaid with shell. lapis lazuli, and red limestone.
  • Great Pyramids (Menkaure, Khafre, Khufu) and the Great Sphinx. Giza, Egypt. King
  • Menkaure and queen. Old Kingdom, Fourth Dynasty. c. 2490 - 2472. B.C.E. Greywacke.
  • The Code of Hammurabi. Babylon (modern Iran). Susa. c. 1792 - 1750 B.C.E. Basalt.
  • Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut and Kneeling Hatshepsut. Near Luxor, Egypt. New Kingdom, 18th Dynasty. c. 1353 - 1335 B.C.E. Limestone.
  • Lamassu from the citadel of Sargon II, Dur Sharukin (modern Khorsabad, Iraq). Ne-Assyrian. c. 720 - 705 B.C.E. Limestone.
  • Audience Hall (apadana) of Darius and Xerxes. Persepolis, Iran. Persian. c. 520 - 465 B.C.E. Limestone.

In this module, a few of the works that are good examples of this theme are the following: 

  • Acropolis. Athens, Greece. Iktinos and Kallikrates. c. 447 - 424 B.C.E. Marble.
  • Great Altar of Zeus and Athena at Pergamon.   Asia Minor (present day Turkey). Hellenistic Greek. c. 75 B.C.E. Marble (architecture and sculpture)
  • Alexander Mosaic from the House of the Faun, Pompeii. Republican Rome. c. 100 B.C.E. Mosaic.
  • Head of the Roman patrician.   Republican Roman. c. 75 - 50 B.C.E. Marble.
  • Augustus of Prima Porta. Imperial Roman. Early first century C.E. Marble. Page 254-255.
  • Colosseum (Flavian Amphitheater). Rome, Italy. Imperial Roman. 70 - 80 C.E. Stone and concrete. Page 260 -261.
  • Forum of Trajan. Roman, Italy. Apollodorus of Damascus. Forum and markets: 106 -112 C.E.; column completed 113 C.E. Brick and concrete (architecture); marble (column).
  • Ludovisi Battle Sarcophagus. Late Imperial Roman. c. 250 C.E. Marble.

Learn more about the Alexander Mosaic in the presentation below.

Learn more about the Augustus of Primaporta in the presentation below.

Learn more about the Ludovisi Battle in the presentation below.

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