Stephanie Ferreira
50:082:101
Midterm Paper
Mesopotamian Culture
Inanna; Female Head
Circa 3200-3000 BCE.
Marble
8” high
Found in the National Museum of Irag, Baghdad
Chegg 34, Figure 2.4
This female head was imported at a high cost since fine stone, such as white marble was scarce and used sparingly. (Word Press) Inanna is seen as the goddess of love and war. When looking at this marble sculpture I see a perfectly depicted human face. The face has strong features such as the unibrow, almond shaped eyes and large nose. The expression on the face of the statue is serious which in a way emits a powerful emotion when you look at the sculpture. Using the marble showed the delicateness and depicted her being the goddesses of war while the strong detailing and features depicted seriousness as she is, as well, the goddess of war.
Egyptian Culture
Khafre Enthroned
Circa 2520-2494 BCE.
Dionite
5’6” high
Found in the Egyptian Museum, Cairo
Citation: Chegg 64, Figure 3.11
This statue in particular highlights Khafre’s power and importance as a ruler. It is said that the locus and papyrus leaves on the side of the throne symbolize a united Egypt. (Kleiner) By looking at this statue you can see how important and powerful Khafre was to the Egyptians. He was depicted perfectly with an idealized body regardless of his real age. When it came to Egyptian art, the intention was not to depict the god-kings by their individual nature but by their divine nature. From looking at this statue, you can see how much respect and praise they had for their rulers.
Minoan Culture
Snake Goddess
Circa 1600 BCE.
Faience
1’ 1 1/2” high
Found in Archaeological Museum, Herakleion
Citation: Chegg 94 Figure 4-12
The Minoans had a love for luxury and it showed in their artwork. This figurine is very detailed showing a woman wearing a full skirt with seven layers of what appears may be interpreted as different colored cloth. This figurine is more provocative but stands in the long line of fertility images that were usually considered as divinities. (Kleiner) The animals in her hand as well on the top of her head shows implied power over animals as well, in turn, power over all.
Abstract:
Taking into consideration the many aspects of life all three cultures, Mesopotamian, Egyptian, and Minoan culture cherished, the one thing that stood above all was their respect and admiration for their Rulers or God/Goddesses. They were leaders who each had their own power. Artists who chose to portray their rulers found interesting ways to depict them to show us how strong they were. In Mesopotamian culture, they had the Sumerian Goddess of love and war depicted strong but softly with...
