Public Approach Front
original east front
Doorway, Pilasters, Molding, Cornice
The important surviving marble remnants of this doorway indicate that, unlike most other surfaces of the Ara Pacis, the doorways were relatively plain with restrained molding. In contrast, all the pilasters, including the major corner pilasters, and the base moldings were highly embellished. No remnants of the entablature survived. Judging by images on coins which seem to represent this facade (image on page 1), the entablature would have been larger, more ornate, and would have included acroteria protecting upward at the corners.
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"Plate 2 - East front of the monument", print by "Leporini, Rome" Scanned from Giuseppe Moretti, L'Ara Pacis Augustae; Rome, 2005 (1st ed. 1948), vol.2, pl.2. Courtesy of the Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato, Rome. Reproduced with appreciation. |
The original monument had no steps up to the doorway on this front because, unlike the opposite ceremonial front, where the ground fell away to the Campus Martius, the ground at this front was level with the Ara Pacis. photo July-Oct. 2008
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Demonstration of an innovative, technically complex color projection to suggest the original colors of the front facades. photo May 2010
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View of the original north-east corner of the Ara Pacis, important parts of the pilaster and base molding well preserved. photo May 2010
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The large surviving remnant of the door surround in this photo and a similar one on the opposite front provide the basis for reconstructing the width and trim of all 4 door surrounds. photo May 2010
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Original marble fragments embedded in reconstructed relief and pilaster at far right of facade. photo May 2010
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Original marble remnants embedded in portion of reconstructed facade to the right of doorway. photo July 2008 |
Detail of area shown in photo at left. photo July 2008
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The figure of the young God Honos is thought to have been part of this relief. It is here entirely reconstructed by color projection. photo May 2010 |
Demonstration of an innovative, technically complex color projection to suggest the original colors of the front facades. photo May 2010 |
Proposed color of original painted surface. photo May 2010
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Demonstration of an innovative, technically complex color projection to suggest the original colors of the front facades.. photo May 2010 |