Art Appreciation: The Seated Statue Of Gudea
Art Appreciation: HUMA205 - 1401C – 01
Unit 2 - Individual Project
Gwen Blackwell
American Intercontinental University - Atlanta
Abstract
Using the terminology and concepts for evaluating art, a comparative study was conducted by contrasting two forms of ancient art that include a sculpture from Neo-Sumerian Art (2150 – 2100 B.C.), and a sculpture from Egypt in the Middle Kingdom (2030-1640 B.C.). Although both pieces are very different in content, their history and function has the common ability to arouse emotion and reveal the hidden.
Art Appreciation: HUMA205 - 1401C – 01
Both forms are work are 3- dimensional sculptural figures. The Seated Statue of Gudea is made of a hard stone known as Diorite that consist of several minerals …show more content…
including crystal quartz that is comparable to modern day granite in durability. According to McIntosh (2012), stones were shaped using pounders and grinders of very hard stone. Artisans made padded stones and used them as vices to hold the stone object in place. Hammers, chisels and saws were used for carving, and the finer details such as inscriptions were drilled using sand and stone. Lastly, sandstone or quartzite rubbers and sand were used for a polished finish.
The Guardian Figure is crafted from Cedar wood, plaster and paint. The statue was carved from Cedar wood first. Then plaster was used as an overlay on the crown and the Devine kilt before the exposed flesh of the figure was painted with a brownish red dye, which is also used on the crown.
The Seated Statue of Gudea sculpture is kept in its natural color which appears to be a medium charcoal grayish-green cast. The sculpture of Guardian Figure appears to be a red or auburn tint. The base outline of the Seated Statue of Gudea sculpture is boxed shaped with clean and well defined edges. The surface of the sculpture is polished to a smooth finish that allow the various mineral composites within the stone to reflect light on raised areas and shadows on recessed areas. The sculpture is made of stone, but from a distance could be mistaken for iron. The feet are bare and resting on a platform that is balanced by the width of the statue 's square shoulders.
The human like contours of the Guardian Figure that include the exposed areas of the body, face, feet and hands give the sculpture a personable appeal.
The soft lines that define the facial features (i.e. eyes, nose, mouth and belly button urge the onlooker to validate the human-like characteristics with a touch.
The Seated Statue of Gudea is one of the many sculptures that were made to look like the ruler. The ruler also requested that each statue be placed in the temples the he had built or reconstructed in Lagash. The sculpture shows Gudea in a composed seated position, as would be one of confidence and power. The hands are folded, perhaps in worship or peaceful manner. There is an inscription on his robe, that according to Metropolitan Museum (2014), “lists the various temples that he built or renovated in Lagash…”.
The Guardian Figure resembled the ruler, however, it was found hidden away with another guardian statue and a shrine in a chamber after being used as part of a dramatic funerary ceremony. The Guardian Figure wears the crown of Lower Egypt and its counterpart wears a crown of upper Egypt. Both functioned as guardians of a very sacred or holy place, that maintain shrines of family members or important and prestigious members of the community (Riggs, …show more content…
2006).
Each work of art represented a form of power and religious faith. The Seated Statue of Gudea represents a ruler who wanted to be idolized and remembered for his statues, building works and architectural influence and religious and worship practices in Lagash, whereas, the Guardian Figure is representational of the Egyptians belief in the maintaining a sacred and private ritual that involved transitioning into the afterlife with the help of an intercessor and no other outside involvement as evidenced by the hidden figures and the shrine.Both artists used their knowledge of craft and skill to complete a work of art that was complex, intricate and required a mastery of craftsmanship. The symbolism used in Seated Statue of Gudea is idolatry, and the symbolism of Guardian Figure depicts stature and wealth in some cultures or to atone for any wrong doings or to gain favor.
The craftsmanship of both works of art is amazing, but I feel a sense of contempt and yet respect for the genius of the Gudae ruler as he was successful in accomplishing his goal. The function of the Gudaue artwork is to create a space for remembrance. Yet on the other hand, there is a feeling of admiration and a sincere hope that the spirit of the decedent protected by the Guardian Figure is successful in their transition into the afterlife. The function of the artwork is one of preserving a sacred tradition that has been maintained for many years.
In conclusion, I believe that both works of art are symbolic of the times in history for which they occurred. The traditional role of both artists is of historical value and perhaps a role that reveals the hidden mastery of skill and intellect. Their symbolic influences are reflected in the art of today.
References
Mcintosh, J.
(2005). Ancient mesopotamia: new perspectives. Retrieved from http://home.lu.lv/~harijs/Macibu%20materiali%20,teksti/Gramatas%20Seno%20Laiku%20Vesture%20%28%20Elektroniski%20%29/Ancient%20East/Mesopotamia/McIntosh.%20Ancient%20Mesopotamia.%202005.pdf.Riggs, C. (2006). The beautiful burial in roman egypt : art, identity, and funerary religion. [online] Retrieved from: http://books.google.com/books?id=5pLX9rLqelQC&dq=Funerary+Guardian+Figures&source=gbs_navlinks_s. The Metropolitan Museum of Art. (2014). Funerary guardian figure. [image online] Retrieved from http://www.metmuseum.org/Collections/search-the-collections/543864.The Metropolitan Museum of Art. (2014). Funerary guardian figure. [image online] Available at: http://www.metmuseum.org/Collections/search-the-collections/543864#fullscreen.The Metropolitan Museum of Art. (2014). Statue of gudea. [image online] Available at:
http://www.metmuseum.org/Collections/search-the-collections/329072.
Unit 2 - Individual Project
Gwen Blackwell
American Intercontinental University - Atlanta
Abstract
Using the terminology and concepts for evaluating art, a comparative study was conducted by contrasting two forms of ancient art that include a sculpture from Neo-Sumerian Art (2150 – 2100 B.C.), and a sculpture from Egypt in the Middle Kingdom (2030-1640 B.C.). Although both pieces are very different in content, their history and function has the common ability to arouse emotion and reveal the hidden.
Art Appreciation: HUMA205 - 1401C – 01
Both forms are work are 3- dimensional sculptural figures. The Seated Statue of Gudea is made of a hard stone known as Diorite that consist of several minerals …show more content…
including crystal quartz that is comparable to modern day granite in durability. According to McIntosh (2012), stones were shaped using pounders and grinders of very hard stone. Artisans made padded stones and used them as vices to hold the stone object in place. Hammers, chisels and saws were used for carving, and the finer details such as inscriptions were drilled using sand and stone. Lastly, sandstone or quartzite rubbers and sand were used for a polished finish.
The Guardian Figure is crafted from Cedar wood, plaster and paint. The statue was carved from Cedar wood first. Then plaster was used as an overlay on the crown and the Devine kilt before the exposed flesh of the figure was painted with a brownish red dye, which is also used on the crown.
The Seated Statue of Gudea sculpture is kept in its natural color which appears to be a medium charcoal grayish-green cast. The sculpture of Guardian Figure appears to be a red or auburn tint. The base outline of the Seated Statue of Gudea sculpture is boxed shaped with clean and well defined edges. The surface of the sculpture is polished to a smooth finish that allow the various mineral composites within the stone to reflect light on raised areas and shadows on recessed areas. The sculpture is made of stone, but from a distance could be mistaken for iron. The feet are bare and resting on a platform that is balanced by the width of the statue 's square shoulders.
The human like contours of the Guardian Figure that include the exposed areas of the body, face, feet and hands give the sculpture a personable appeal.
The soft lines that define the facial features (i.e. eyes, nose, mouth and belly button urge the onlooker to validate the human-like characteristics with a touch.
The Seated Statue of Gudea is one of the many sculptures that were made to look like the ruler. The ruler also requested that each statue be placed in the temples the he had built or reconstructed in Lagash. The sculpture shows Gudea in a composed seated position, as would be one of confidence and power. The hands are folded, perhaps in worship or peaceful manner. There is an inscription on his robe, that according to Metropolitan Museum (2014), “lists the various temples that he built or renovated in Lagash…”.
The Guardian Figure resembled the ruler, however, it was found hidden away with another guardian statue and a shrine in a chamber after being used as part of a dramatic funerary ceremony. The Guardian Figure wears the crown of Lower Egypt and its counterpart wears a crown of upper Egypt. Both functioned as guardians of a very sacred or holy place, that maintain shrines of family members or important and prestigious members of the community (Riggs, …show more content…
2006).
Each work of art represented a form of power and religious faith. The Seated Statue of Gudea represents a ruler who wanted to be idolized and remembered for his statues, building works and architectural influence and religious and worship practices in Lagash, whereas, the Guardian Figure is representational of the Egyptians belief in the maintaining a sacred and private ritual that involved transitioning into the afterlife with the help of an intercessor and no other outside involvement as evidenced by the hidden figures and the shrine.Both artists used their knowledge of craft and skill to complete a work of art that was complex, intricate and required a mastery of craftsmanship. The symbolism used in Seated Statue of Gudea is idolatry, and the symbolism of Guardian Figure depicts stature and wealth in some cultures or to atone for any wrong doings or to gain favor.
The craftsmanship of both works of art is amazing, but I feel a sense of contempt and yet respect for the genius of the Gudae ruler as he was successful in accomplishing his goal. The function of the Gudaue artwork is to create a space for remembrance. Yet on the other hand, there is a feeling of admiration and a sincere hope that the spirit of the decedent protected by the Guardian Figure is successful in their transition into the afterlife. The function of the artwork is one of preserving a sacred tradition that has been maintained for many years.
In conclusion, I believe that both works of art are symbolic of the times in history for which they occurred. The traditional role of both artists is of historical value and perhaps a role that reveals the hidden mastery of skill and intellect. Their symbolic influences are reflected in the art of today.
References
Mcintosh, J.
(2005). Ancient mesopotamia: new perspectives. Retrieved from http://home.lu.lv/~harijs/Macibu%20materiali%20,teksti/Gramatas%20Seno%20Laiku%20Vesture%20%28%20Elektroniski%20%29/Ancient%20East/Mesopotamia/McIntosh.%20Ancient%20Mesopotamia.%202005.pdf.Riggs, C. (2006). The beautiful burial in roman egypt : art, identity, and funerary religion. [online] Retrieved from: http://books.google.com/books?id=5pLX9rLqelQC&dq=Funerary+Guardian+Figures&source=gbs_navlinks_s. The Metropolitan Museum of Art. (2014). Funerary guardian figure. [image online] Retrieved from http://www.metmuseum.org/Collections/search-the-collections/543864.The Metropolitan Museum of Art. (2014). Funerary guardian figure. [image online] Available at: http://www.metmuseum.org/Collections/search-the-collections/543864#fullscreen.The Metropolitan Museum of Art. (2014). Statue of gudea. [image online] Available at:
http://www.metmuseum.org/Collections/search-the-collections/329072.