User:Atcovi/Slide Art 1

Slide 4 - Aaqib A.

In this section you will be shown an object we have not discussed in class. Identify the culture and period based on style, convention, and formal analysis. Explain why you believe it was produced by that culture. Provide an example from your book or notes that is similar to this piece. Explain what elements make the image provided and your example similar. (200 word min.)

Be sure to state which image that you have chosen (1, 2, 3, 4).

In this essay you will prove to me that you understand what characterizes the art of a particular time period, rather than simply memorizing facts.

Click on the link below to access the images:

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The image I've chosen to discuss is Image 4 (or Slide 4).

As soon as I see this sculpture, I'm able to identify that it is Egyptian art. There are a few reasons for that, including the face structure, the false beard, and the hierarchical scale. The face isn't cylindrical like the Mesopotamian sculptures, but rather the face is more defined. According to the textbook, this definition in the face is to heighten the reputation of the pharaoh who is being depicted. The false beard was part of the typical Egyptian royale attire, which was depicted on all pharaohs. This included the female pharaoh, Hatshepsut, who was depicted with a false beard in her sculpture! Lastly, the hierarchical scale is depicted in this sculpture. The main figure, who I assume to be the pharaoh, is bigger than the figure on the left. I'm not exactly sure who the figure is on the left, but it is obvious the pharaoh is more important than that figure since he is bigger. The hierarchical scale is only seen in Egyptian art.

I say that this style correlates to the Old Kingdom period of Egyptian art. First off, Egyptian art barely changed throughout their rule. Their art style changed temporarily during the reign of King Tutankhamun, but was reverted back to traditional conventions afterwards. Secondly, the sculpture is very similar to the Egyptian royal style that is used in the sculpture of Khafre, which is another sculpture from the Old Kingdom.

The sculpture of Khafre is similar to this sculpture in several ways. Firstly, both have two figures in the sculpture. The sculpture of Khafre has two figures: Kahfre himself and Horus, the "falcon-god". Although different positions, I have a hench that the sculpture right beside the bigger figure, depicted in Slide 4, is a "god" that the Egyptians sculpted to protect the bigger figure. Secondly, both figures, Khafre and the bigger sculpture, are depicted as intimidating pharaohs. They both have the a distinct headdress, false beard, and broad shoulders to enhance their image. Lastly, both sculptures are idealized and not very realistic. Both sculptures are not as realistic as the Seated Scribe, which depicts a less-prominent but more realistic human-being. In the Seated Scribe, one can observe the bright expression in his pupils and more definition in the abdomen (more fat being depicted).