Compare and Contrast Two Statuettes
Running Head: A Compare and Contrast of Two Statuettes
A Compare and Contrast of Two Statuettes
Mary Karr
ART 205 Art Appreciation
November 24, 2007
A Compare and Contrast of Two Statuettes
I have chosen as the subject of my essay to contrast and compare two female statuettes from ancient cultures. The first is an ancient Egyptian statuette named The Offering Bearer which was discovered about 1920 in the tomb of Meketre in Thebes and appears to have been made around 1985 B.C.E. by an unknown. (The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 2007). The second is an unnamed figurine commonly referred to as Statuette of A Standing Woman. This statuette, whose artist is unknown, is one of several figurines collectively called the Tanagra Figurines. They are named after the city where most of them were discovered. They were discovered in the late 1800's through the early 1900's and they date to the last quarter of the 4th century B.C.E. to the early 3rd century B.C.E. (Department of Greek and Roman Art, 2007). The first figure is made from gessoed and painted wood and the limbs, basket, duck, and base were all made separately then attached to the central figure. (The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 2007). The second figure uses terra cotta material and is made using a mold. Like the Egyptian figure, however, the arms heads and other peripheral items were often made separately and then attached to the body. (Department of Greek and Roman Art, 2007).
The Offering Bearer is 44 1/8" tall and may have been carved from a single round of tree trunk yet uses the rectangular style for the base that is commonly associated with stone sculptures. However it is its wood construction that allows the more open spaces between the body and its limbs that help to give it a more natural appearance. Combined with this however, is the idealized eye features which are large, the style and color of the clothing probably meant to represent the goddess', and the wig which was probably blue (before
A Compare and Contrast of Two Statuettes
Mary Karr
ART 205 Art Appreciation
November 24, 2007
A Compare and Contrast of Two Statuettes
I have chosen as the subject of my essay to contrast and compare two female statuettes from ancient cultures. The first is an ancient Egyptian statuette named The Offering Bearer which was discovered about 1920 in the tomb of Meketre in Thebes and appears to have been made around 1985 B.C.E. by an unknown. (The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 2007). The second is an unnamed figurine commonly referred to as Statuette of A Standing Woman. This statuette, whose artist is unknown, is one of several figurines collectively called the Tanagra Figurines. They are named after the city where most of them were discovered. They were discovered in the late 1800's through the early 1900's and they date to the last quarter of the 4th century B.C.E. to the early 3rd century B.C.E. (Department of Greek and Roman Art, 2007). The first figure is made from gessoed and painted wood and the limbs, basket, duck, and base were all made separately then attached to the central figure. (The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 2007). The second figure uses terra cotta material and is made using a mold. Like the Egyptian figure, however, the arms heads and other peripheral items were often made separately and then attached to the body. (Department of Greek and Roman Art, 2007).
The Offering Bearer is 44 1/8" tall and may have been carved from a single round of tree trunk yet uses the rectangular style for the base that is commonly associated with stone sculptures. However it is its wood construction that allows the more open spaces between the body and its limbs that help to give it a more natural appearance. Combined with this however, is the idealized eye features which are large, the style and color of the clothing probably meant to represent the goddess', and the wig which was probably blue (before
References: Department of Greek and Roman Art (2007). Metropolitan Museum of Art, Timeline of Art History, Tanagra Figurines, Retrieved November 21, 2007 from http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/tafg/hd_tafg.htm The Metropolitan Museum of Art, (2007). Explore and Learn, Works of Art, Retrieved November 23, 2007 from http://www.metmuseum.org/explore/newegypt/htm/wk_frame.htm