Bacchic Sarcophagus With Procession Of Dionysus And His Followers Essay

The Los Angeles County Museum of Art offers about 100,000 objects to its visitors. The museum can boast of vast collections dedicated to different epochs starting from ancient times up to the modern contemporary artworks. Undoubtedly, it is one of the biggest museums of the United States. It is located in seven different buildings representing different epochs and countries. Definitely, it is one of the places, which should be visited by everyone, who is interested in history and wants to feel amazed by creations of ancient authors and the fantasy of the modern artists.
The Bacchic Sarcophagus with Procession of Dionysus and his Followers is considered to be one of the main ancient attractions of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. It is located at the Greek and Roman Department. Besides, it is included in the William Randolph Hearst Collection. Sarcophagus is an example of the Roman funerary art. They are basically coffins carved from the stone or marble. This specific sarcophagus is made of the white marble and stone. It was created about 195-200 A.D. The artwork belongs to the early Severan period. This was a period in the history of the Roman Empire when the Severan dynasty founded by Roman commander Septimius Severus ruled the state. It was characterized by the growing political instability of the country, yet the architectural and sculptural art were flourishing at that time because it was an epoch of combining different styles including elements of early Christianity and Egyptian motives into the traditional Roman art.
As the sarcophagi are elements of the funeral art their function is clear – they were used to entomb the dead. Actually, such stone coffins were existed for hundreds years before the Romans included them into their funeral customs but in the Severan epoch they became very popular. The sarcophagus depicts Dionysus, or Bacchus, the deity of wine and grape as well as the god of the ritual madness. This character was often carved on the tombs because his cult deals with afterlife practices and Roman beliefs of the reincarnation or bringing back to the Earth.
Unfortunately, the country of the sarcophagus is unknown as well as the author of the masterpiece. Scientists know only that it was made on the territory of the Roman Empire. Even a brief look on the sculptures carved on the surface of the sarcophagus can persuade a visitor in the great talent of the artist. All the sculptures were carved with magnificent accuracy. Despite the characters depicted there are mythological all of them have clearly defined human faces with different expressions on them. The composition includes also images of animals, which were usually sacrificed in the celebration of Dionysus. People are hanging jars (probably with wine) that also brought to altar of the god of winery. The whole composition depicts the procession of Bacchus followers. It was widely believed that Dionysus often appeared in front of the people and they followed him bringing wine. He was also usually accompanied with young women. This deity was especially associated with happiness and merriness. Therefore, the sculptures carved on the sarcophagus smile and their legs are about to dance.
Created by unknown artist the Bacchic Sarcophagus with Procession of Dionysus and his Followers still remains an eye-catching piece of the art, which attracts thousands visitors. It makes us feel rhythm and liveliness of the Roman art.