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Medieval Art: Justinian And His Attendants

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Medieval Art: Justinian And His Attendants
There are many artworks between the cultures of Ancient Near East through the Medieval Era that demonstrate ways political leaders constructed powerful identities, including the Emperor Justinian and His Attendants, The Maquamat of Al-Hariri, and the Stele of Naram-Sin. The Emperor Justinian and His Attendants artwork is from San Vitale, Ravenna, 547 BCE and is a perfect example to show how political leaders has powerful identities. This mosaic shows power through the style and context of the art piece. The way the Emperor is dressed in a bolder color than the Attendants shows how he has more power than the others. The halo around the Emperor’s head also shows power because of the context behind halos. Another, thing shown in this mosaic that shows the Attendants having less power is the shield they are …show more content…
This art piece is an upright stone slab instead of a mosaic or pigmented paper. The stone slab is a piece of art from 2254-2218 BCE which was founded in Susa, Iran. However, even though each one of the artworks are from a different time period and culture they all show how one person has more power over the others. This specific art piece shows one person having more power by having him above the others. In my opinion, it looks like the people are trying to help the Naram-Sin have the power he needs by being protective over him. They are helping him rise above and get to the top. In other words, I think this also gives the people below power because it shows how even though they see the Naram-Sin with power they will still protect and help him have the most power he can. Therefore, each one of these artworks show how one powerful leader has powerful identities that overtake the others in the art piece. Even though the art is from different time periods they all have the same idea to portray the power of one individual by the style, context, composition, and

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