Sculptuur van de Ares Ludovisi in de Villa Boncompagni Ludovisi te Rome before 1907

This is a photograph of The Ares Ludovisi sculpture, taken by Edizione Brogi in Rome, though the date is unknown. The whole composition is an exploration of contrasts, light and shadow, black and white, strength and serenity. The way the light falls across the muscular planes of Ares' body creates a play of light and shadow, really emphasizing the physicality of the marble. Look at the folds of the drapery and how they cascade down his body, almost like a waterfall. The details are really crisp, you can see every ripple and curve of the marble. There's a tension between the smoothness of his skin and the rough texture of the lion-like sculpture that his left foot rests on, it’s a good tension, something that makes the piece come alive for me. I find the piece reminiscent of Robert Mapplethorpe’s photographs of classical sculptures. Like his work, it draws on a tradition, but also pushes it, showing the beauty in this ancient art. I'm reminded that art is an ongoing conversation and we are all participants.