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The Sarcophagus Of San Vitale

Decent Essays

Kunstwollen is a term coined by Austrian art historian Alois Riegl to describe the fundamental human desire for creation, the ‘artistic will’ deeply “rooted in the basic experience of space and time” and the representation thereof. However, as with all artistic endeavors, one should consider these desires within the context of the piece as a product of its culture. For example, the Sarcophagus of San Vitale dates from late antiquity and perfectly exemplifies the stylistic and religious leanings of the later Roman era. The stone sarcophagus is decorated with a simple cross carved front and center on the lid. The front panel is, at first, somewhat simplistic in nature compared to similar works. It depicts only five figures from the Christian

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