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 Ð'- 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 time faded the color) which is the hair color of deities. The figure is depicted in the act of delivering her offering. It was common practice for those who had the means to provide for their funeral cult to be maintained after their death so this would be a typical portrayal to this culture. (The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 2007). The Statuette of A Standing Woman stands 6 7/16" high. Terra cotta pieces were familiar to Greek artisans and widely produced. Like the Egyptian statuette these terra cotta statuettes are placed on a rectangular base but unlike the Egyptian statuette, they are made by forming a mold and filling the mold with clay or terra cotta. The new figure is fired in a kiln and painted when dry. They are amazingly detailed and natural with fully defined facial features and are meant to be a realistic study of common citizens. Rather then introducing a new style of art to the culture, the Tanagra figurines expanded on a currently existing style. Previously the terra cotta pieces attached the molded front to an unmolded back but the new style used a two part mold for a molded front and back. (Department of Greek and Roman Art, 2007). Unlike the mobile Offering Bearer the Tanagra figure seems poised in still contemplation.

The Offering Bearer, although not itself sacred, is representative