Power and Authority

Images of power and authority have never ceased to be prevalent throughout the history of art. Leaders learned to use such images to convince their societies of their majesty and ability to rule. Yet, many of these images and structures vary greatly due to the societies in which they were produced. For example, equestrian statues and royal shrines both advocate for the ruler, yet due so in very different ways.

From ancient Rome to early Renaissance and beyond, the equestrian statue has been used numerous times to display the power of a ruler. Similar to Marcus Aurelius’s statue from Rome, the bronze Equestrian portrait of Charlemagne from the Carolingian medieval period depicts the ruler overtly large in comparison to the horse. In both cases the somewhat hierarchical sizing is used to display the ruler’s power. The medieval statue depicts Charlemagne during a parade, wearing imperial clothes, and a crown. Perhaps most symbolic of his authority is the globe that he holds in his outstretched hand, a hint at his desire for world domination. Charlemagne was very important in his time, reviving classical artwork and reuniting Western Europe.

Royal shrines, prevalent in Africa, were used to display a ruler’s sacred power. In Africa around the 17^th and 18^th centuries, the Altar to hand and arm (ikegobo) was created. The bronze royal shrine functioned as an object celebrating the sacred king, Oba, who is depicted both centrally and on the top of the shrine. The hierarchical composition makes it clear who the sacred king is. His head is overemphasized to show the will and power of the “great head,” the king. Additionally, the leopards symbolize the ruler’s power over all creatures. The natural world was very important to the African culture and many of their deities are linked to nature.

In both Charlemagne’s statue and the African royal shrine, hierarchical compositions are used, making it easy for the viewer to distinguish the kings from all the rest. Rulers have used images of power and authority throughout history as a way to gain the confidence of the public and spread their influence.