Looking closer again at Awakening Slave, I'm able to come up with a revised visual analysis. There are many undefined shapes that make up the majority of the forms in the marble. The raw marble remaining un-sculpted resembles a flawed and uneven rectangular block. This shape is almost reminiscent to a cage; the missing areas of rectangle, which make up the form of the man, are found inside of the block.
The lines used to create the shape of the slave are very curvaceous, round, and fluid. The parallel lines of the whole body is curved into a twisted and fluid motion from his head, through his shoulders and torso, and curving again in his legs. The lines carved to create his abdominal muscles all follow the same curves. It seems as though the way his body is curved expresses his struggle, and he appears to be writhing around in the marble. There are essentially no significant lines in the uncut sections of marble, which makes the lines and form of the slave more of a contrast. The arms are both reaching away from the body and are both bent at the elbow. Those points face outward from each other, widening the chest of the slave further.
If I were to draw a simple diagram of this sculpture the main shapes would be the generally rectangular marble block encasing the slave. Inside would be the form of the body, with a very curved torso and large protruding chest. The curve of the body would be a very important feature to emphasise, as well as the bent arms and legs, especially his left knee which protrudes most, that is bent in front of the other leg.
The face I would include also, mainly because I think the direction the head is turned is important, and how closely the facial features are to the uncut marble is also important in the expression.
Elements that I would exclude would be the detail of the exact shape of the surrounding marble. I don't see the exact shapes as being significant, because it all sort of molds together to form a basic larger object, and resembles more of a semi-solid substance. The presence of it is what is most impactful, but the exact and specific details of the shapes are less-so.
The colour of the sculpture is very basic, obviously because it is only composed of one substance of the same colour; white marble. However, the texture of the marble in different areas creates the presence of shadows and therefore different shades of the marble. The rough and uncut stone appears to be a different colour and substance because of the specks of shadows on the surface. This is opposed to the more smooth, and therefore lighter, surfaces of the slave's body. Overall, the mood these shades create is one that is quite stark and powerful despite it's incredibly limited range of colour.
It is difficult to pinpoint one main focal point, since this sculpture can be viewed from many different positions. However, when viewed straight on facing the front of the sculpture, the obvious focal point is the chest. where the chin and shoulder and arm seem to frame. I think his chest is an important place to pay attention to because it doe create the sensation of breathing, and that the sculpture could be in fact alive. It emphasises the motion and energy the man could be exerting.
Our gaze is drawn to this area for a number of reasons. Firstly, it protrudes quite a bit from the marble, and it's smooth surface is in stark contrast to rougher substance around it. Secondly, his right arm and shoulder bend and frame this area along with the chin and beard of the turned head. There are details in the neck too that stand out and draw attention to the area, with vertical lines and shadows pointing downward from the head. The pectoral muscles lines also of the pectoral muscles
This subject is a male, whose identity is not specified or recognizable, apart from the fact that he is a slave. However, I'm not yet sure whether or not he was originally intended to be a slave, or if over time and context he has become known as a slave.
The emotion expressed by the figure to me is most prominently desperation or distress, as well as intense strength and exhaustion. The body of the man is depicted with muscular definition, giving him the appearance of strength. Yet, in his position he also seems exhausted and struggling. This combination expresses a lot of power between both him and the substance that holds him.
There is no external objects or environment, so to speak, included in the sculpture. Only the surrounding uncut marble that now creates the space around the man.
There are no other indications of any other surrounding environment, or location in time or space.
Through my research so far, most information is on the original project, the tomb of Pope Julius, and all the surrounding controversy of it. The commission is said to have been potentially Michelangelo's biggest and most important work, but it turned out to be a waste of time for him and earned him a somewhat scandalous reputation with allegations of embezzlement. Though this is very interesting, I havent been able to find a lot of information on the actual sculpture itself.
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