Ancient Egyptian and Greek Art

Monica Vazquez

HUA 101.1301

Professor Harmon

September 4, 2013

Antiquity:  Prehistory, Egyptian and Greek Art

     Ancient Greek art is well known for its accuracy in their sculptures during what is now known as classical Greece. Most sculptures have accurate ratios, and use both relaxed and modest poses. Kouros is an ancient Greek sculpture from the archaic period that dates back to 590-580 B.C. This marble statue is a free-standing sculpture that represents male youth. Ancient Greek art tries to capture the person being carved on a stone in the most natural ways possible. These sculptures are life size and are very aesthetically pleasing due to the actual mathematical calculations done in order to achieve creating ideal sculptures. Like most ancient Greek sculptures Kouros is naked in a front facing position with his weight being evenly distributed. The statue of Kouros also has with his arms straight on his sides, and his left foot slightly forward similar to the sculptures of the ancient Egyptians.

     The ancient Egyptians were surrounded by the desert on both sides of the Nile River, not only did this prevent outside influences from coming into their community, it also helped maintain their own distinctive styles. One thing the ancient Egyptians are well known for is the symbolism in which they believe in. Some important symbols are the statues of pharaohs; they represent ancient rulers with great strength and power. The kneeling statue of Hatshepsut belongs to the period of the New Kingdom. Hatshepsut is an originator of ancient Egypt during Dynasty 18. The statue of the female pharaoh Maatkare Hatshepsut is made of granite and is about twenty-eight inches in height. Hatshepsut, like other pharaohs wears the cobra on her headpiece which signifies that she is a pharaoh.

 

Kouros

The Kneeling Statue of Hatshepsut