Augustus The Four Seasons Analysis
Permoser depicted torment in a manner that is overtly torturous or painful. He also presents themes of torment through ridicule and comedy, seen in the set The Four Seasons, made in 1685 in ivory for the Green Vault in Dresden. The Green Vault was one of Augustus the Strong’s main projects, evolving into an artistic center, featuring many of Permoser’s works. Permoser’s use of mockery is his subtle way of weaving his own style with his patrons, Augustus the Strong. These ivory mythological characters each embody a specific season: Flora for spring, Ceres for summer, Bacchus for autumn, Vulcan for winter.
Beginning with Flora, the Spring Goddess, Permoser applies the discussion of her life as revealed in Ovid’s Fasti, in his sculpture. In …show more content…
Unlike the aforementioned Goddesses, Bacchus has a rather tumultuous beginning to his being that precedes birth. According to myth, Jupiter, the King of the Gods, was caught being unfaithful to Juno, his wife, with a mortal named Semele. Juno tricked the impregnated Semele into looking at the god-form of Jupiter. Unable to withstand the power that was released, Semele died, prompting Jupiter to save the child by putting it in his thigh. Bacchus was then born out of Zeus’ thigh, and raised by Hermes, who hid him from Juno’s wrath by keeping him with different foster parents and nurses. As he grew, Bacchus traveled with satyrs, was often followed by women, and was usually intoxicated with a band of others. Permoser illustrates Bacchus in a manner that is true to form. Beginning with the chalice and grapes in his hand, symbols of the God of Wine. Furthermore, the hair atop his head seems to have taken the shape of grapes. Just as Bacchus is known for being with a multitude of women, he is seen donning a singular thin garment, which is wrapped around his neck, with one sliver covering his genitals. His pose is consistent with the womanizing personality of Bacchus, highlighting his musculature. Furthermore, his face reads a more carefree glee, staring into the chalice, and grinning with an open mouth. It is in his lighthearted expression and excessive symbolism of wine that torment is woven. Bacchus is shown removing himself from his woes, masking any emotional pain by completely submerging himself in his acts of
Beginning with Flora, the Spring Goddess, Permoser applies the discussion of her life as revealed in Ovid’s Fasti, in his sculpture. In …show more content…
Unlike the aforementioned Goddesses, Bacchus has a rather tumultuous beginning to his being that precedes birth. According to myth, Jupiter, the King of the Gods, was caught being unfaithful to Juno, his wife, with a mortal named Semele. Juno tricked the impregnated Semele into looking at the god-form of Jupiter. Unable to withstand the power that was released, Semele died, prompting Jupiter to save the child by putting it in his thigh. Bacchus was then born out of Zeus’ thigh, and raised by Hermes, who hid him from Juno’s wrath by keeping him with different foster parents and nurses. As he grew, Bacchus traveled with satyrs, was often followed by women, and was usually intoxicated with a band of others. Permoser illustrates Bacchus in a manner that is true to form. Beginning with the chalice and grapes in his hand, symbols of the God of Wine. Furthermore, the hair atop his head seems to have taken the shape of grapes. Just as Bacchus is known for being with a multitude of women, he is seen donning a singular thin garment, which is wrapped around his neck, with one sliver covering his genitals. His pose is consistent with the womanizing personality of Bacchus, highlighting his musculature. Furthermore, his face reads a more carefree glee, staring into the chalice, and grinning with an open mouth. It is in his lighthearted expression and excessive symbolism of wine that torment is woven. Bacchus is shown removing himself from his woes, masking any emotional pain by completely submerging himself in his acts of