Relationship Between Memi And Sabu
Preamble
Irrespective of the medium, Art usually has something to say or a story to tell. This is one of the reasons why it is created - to communicate.
Content
The statue of Memi and Sabu is from Egypt but not of royalty, dating back to the Fourth Dynasty. Titled ‘The Royal Acquaintances Memi and Sabu’, it depicts a young man and woman who seem to know each other very well. It can be said that they are more than acquaintances with Memi’s left hand, directly on Sabu’s breast.
‘Statue of Gudea’ was created some four hundred years later, if not more, and is of Gudea who ruled Lagash in southern Mesopotamia around 2150-2125 BC. It depicts him seated with folded arms as if in meditation. According to The Metropolitan Museum of Art, “One of the primary aims of Mesopotamian art was to capture the relationship between the terrestrial and divine realms.” The Metropolitan Museum of Art. (2004). It would appear that in Gudea’s time, people recognized a higher being and tailored their behavior to being respectful and keeping a sense of propriety. …show more content…
Religious observance could have been important in Mesopotamia, and people were probably expected to follow laws of morality and order. This contrasts greatly with the statue of Memi and Sabu who make plain the possible extent of their relationship. Sabu’s appearance is not one of modesty and at first glance appears nude. Art reflects culture and in Memi and Sabu’s time, it can be assumed that nothing was thought of a public show of intimacy. This was an image recorded of their time. Although she does not look directly at the sculptor, she is seemingly indifferent to Memi’s touch. It is more than likely that this would not have been tolerated during Gudea’s
Irrespective of the medium, Art usually has something to say or a story to tell. This is one of the reasons why it is created - to communicate.
Content
The statue of Memi and Sabu is from Egypt but not of royalty, dating back to the Fourth Dynasty. Titled ‘The Royal Acquaintances Memi and Sabu’, it depicts a young man and woman who seem to know each other very well. It can be said that they are more than acquaintances with Memi’s left hand, directly on Sabu’s breast.
‘Statue of Gudea’ was created some four hundred years later, if not more, and is of Gudea who ruled Lagash in southern Mesopotamia around 2150-2125 BC. It depicts him seated with folded arms as if in meditation. According to The Metropolitan Museum of Art, “One of the primary aims of Mesopotamian art was to capture the relationship between the terrestrial and divine realms.” The Metropolitan Museum of Art. (2004). It would appear that in Gudea’s time, people recognized a higher being and tailored their behavior to being respectful and keeping a sense of propriety. …show more content…
Religious observance could have been important in Mesopotamia, and people were probably expected to follow laws of morality and order. This contrasts greatly with the statue of Memi and Sabu who make plain the possible extent of their relationship. Sabu’s appearance is not one of modesty and at first glance appears nude. Art reflects culture and in Memi and Sabu’s time, it can be assumed that nothing was thought of a public show of intimacy. This was an image recorded of their time. Although she does not look directly at the sculptor, she is seemingly indifferent to Memi’s touch. It is more than likely that this would not have been tolerated during Gudea’s