Why Was the Column of Trajan Important to Art History?

Art|Art History

The Column of Trajan is an important monument in Rome, Italy. It was built between 106 – 113 CE to commemorate Emperor Trajan’s victory in the Dacian Wars. It stands at a remarkable height of 38.4 meters and is one of the most impressive monuments in Rome, both in its size and craftsmanship.

The Column of Trajan is made up of 19 drums of marble which were sculpted with a continuous narrative depicting the story of the Dacian Wars. This was done by Greek artists who were brought over to Rome by Trajan himself and it was the first time this type of continuous narrative had been used for large-scale sculpture. The sculptures depict a range of scenes from military battles to sacrifices and processions, all carefully crafted with great attention to detail.

Aside from being an impressive feat of engineering, the Column of Trajan had an enormous impact on art history. It is considered one of the most important examples of Roman art and influenced many later works as well as inspiring imitations throughout Europe and beyond.

Its use of a continuous narrative in its sculptures was revolutionary for its time and was highly influential on Renaissance artists such as Michelangelo who used it as inspiration for his own work. Its immense size has also been seen as symbolic, representing both the power and grandeur that Rome held at that time.

Conclusion:

Why Was the Column of Trajan Important to Art History?

The Column of Trajan is an important monument in art history due to its revolutionary use of continuous narrative sculpture, its immense size, and its influences on later works throughout Europe and beyond. It was an incredible feat that demonstrated the power and grandeur that Rome held at that time while also inspiring many Renaissance artists such as Michelangelo with its innovative techniques.