Below,
the assignment has been divided into two parts. Part-1 will outline the
identity of the two objects (artworks) in question with special focus on the
material used to make this object, date of its discovery and category it falls
under. It will also try to establish the identity of the artist who made this
object.
The
second part of this assignment will focus on the following three questions with
an honest approach.
1. What
are the stylistic – artistic features of your object?
2. Are
there any similar artworks that your object could be compared to?
3. What
were the local social, political, economic and historical conditions at the
time when the specific object was made?
The
third question will be divided into two sub-parts with each focusing on one
object in the best possible manner.
Part-1
Object-I identity
This
object is a stone (limestone) sculpture that represents the head of Hathor who
was an Egyptian goddess. This art object was discovered in the second quarter
of the 6th century, but its provenance is known to be necropolis of Golgoi. It
is deep-rooted in 1000 BC – 1 A.D. Egypt.
Object-II identity
This
very large object is a stone (limestone) sculpture of a bearded man whose
conical cap present him as a person having a high rank. The name of this person
remains unknown. This archaic object was discovered in the early 6th century
and had its provenance in Golgoi–Ayios Photios (near the temple). This artwork
has its roots in 1000 BC – 1 A.D. Levantine lands.
Part-2
What are the stylistic –
artistic features of your object?
Standing
at the overall dimensions of 34 1/2 x 20 1/4in. (87.6 x 51.4cm), the stone
sculpture of Hathor is distinctively and delicately chiseled having cow’s horns
as these are made to reflect her image as Cow Goddess. The lower shaft on which
Hathor’s headrests, has been cut off and two dowel holes to provide additional
support have been made. This model sculpture of Hathor is a stylistic form of
art as it also has three lines on the cow’s horns on right, left and upper
side. Artists of different ages have made many representations of Hathor due to
its great importance in Egyptian mythology.
The
archaic head of a bearded man is a fine piece of art made out of limestone.
This sculpture has the dimensions of 35 x 14 x 23 in. (88.9 x 35.6 x 58.4 cm)
and is chiseled finely. The careful consideration is given to the overall look
of the model in the entire process of making this sculpture. The protuberance
at the top, flaps on each side and long beard (which looks very pointy from
side view) are all great features of this model.
Are there any similar
artworks that your object could be compared to?
There
are many artworks readily available and circulating which can be compared to
the artwork in hand of Hathor. Some artworks are not as fine as the one in our
picture but they do reflect the same image of the Egyptian goddess is limestone
sculptures. There is a variety of artworks showing the face of a cow with very
long upward horns and medium-sized ears. This sort of artwork also depicts the
goddess of Egypt, Hathor. Then, there is a numerous selection of Hathor’s
statues which cannot directly be compared to the sculpture, but they represent
the same mythic character as well.
Hathor
has been regarded as a complex goddess of fertility, dance, music, and sky and
maintained the life on earth. Based on these facts not all representations are
the same yet hold significance. Since the limestone head of a bearded man does
not have any name or any identity that can be traced back in time with utmost
certainty, therefore, our information on this sculpture remains limited.
Albeit,
there are a few sculptures that cannot be directly compared to the one in the
picture provided since the personalities do not resemble.
What were the local social,
political, economic and historical conditions at the time when the specific
object was made?
Egypt (1000 BC - 1 A.D.)
It has
been established that the sculpture of Hathor was made during the Egyptian era
1000 BC - 1 A.D., so the following discussion will revolve around the social,
political and economic conditions on this time.
This
era is usually referred to as ancient Egypt. In this era, the Egyptian culture
held a significant value and position and remained rooted in its cores in terms
of arts, culture, language, and religion. Under King Menes, the Egyptian empire
formed a unified kingdom which ruled the country for the following three
centuries.
There have had been large communities
of Greeks in Egypt, which are often regarded as Egyptiotes. It all began during
the Hellenistic period and lasted until the aftermath of Egyptian revolution in
1952 when a significant number of people were forced to leave. It is believed
that Greeks first began residing in Egypt in the 7th century. It should be
noticed that Herodotus came to Egypt in the 5th century and began claiming that
the Greeks were a major group of foreigners that had ever been present in
Egypt. The first historical colonies were associated with King Psammetichus I (664–610
BC), who laid the foundation of a garrison of foreign mercenaries in Daphnae,
most of which consisted of Ionian Greeks and Carians. In the 7th century, when
the Greek Dark Ages came to an end, the city of Naucratis got established in
Ancient Egypt. This was present right on the Nile River’s Canopic branch. This
city soon became a major port for Greek trade. It won’t be wrong to say that
Greeks have had influenced the culture of Egypt in one way or the other. For
centuries, they have been playing a major role in how Egypt takes its
traditions and moral values. For instance, in the past, Greek mercenary armies
acted as a backbone in the Egyptian wars; Mentor of Rhodes led some of those
armies.
Egypt
went through many political, social and economic upheavals during this period.
Hyksos, who invaded Lower Egypt, set up their own governance in lower parts of
the country. Being the first ever foreign ruling dynasty, they were never
welcomed and were thrown out by the forces that fought against them from the
upper parts of Egypt. But this turbulent time of upheaval lasted for around 150
years before some prosperity was restored under the stabilized government.
Still, the country was economically deprived, but under the kingship of Pharaoh
Amenemhat III, Egypt gained its full strength. A small period of disunity
continued from time to time though.
The
kingdom of Egypt extended its political influence during the period of the
eighteenth dynasty as the empire expanded as far as to Nubia in the south and
also some parts of Levant were conquered. It was this period when Egypt saw
some reconstruction of some of its social values as it increased its contacts
with outside people. This mainly was caused by the invasions and victories
claimed by the local ruling dynasty over other territories. Assyrians joined
forces with Nubians and Libyans to invade and take control of Egypt before they
were forced out by native Egyptians. This battle was furious and lasted for
years before it was put to an end.
Egypt has a long history of
political, social and economic reforms. Above is just the very brief summary of
how things were unfolding during the selected era and how the country overcame
those challenges faced.
Levant (1000 BC - 1 A.D.)
The
Levant, in broader terms, was the coastline that stretched from Greece to Egypt
and was comprised of the eastern Mediterranean lands, modern-day Turkey,
Lebanon, Jordon, Israel, and Syria.
As it
has been mentioned above that the sculpture of the bearded man represents a
person with no name, but he can be identified as a solider due to its apparent
features. As we know little about this object that was discovered in the Levant
before it ended up in Cyprus could have been from the times when Egyptian
rulers invaded the eastern part of Levant in during the eighteenth dynasty.
This
limestone sculpture may be of a man serving in the military from either side,
Egypt or the eastern Levant (modern-day Western Asian countries). This
assumption can be wrong, and perhaps this bearded man was a political figure or
a person on a high rank within the ruling dynasties.
The
Assyrian armies were also repeatedly attacking the Levantine cities during this
period to take control of Philistine and Israel, and they eventually succeeded.
On the south side, Egyptians were trying to establish their control, yet they
clashed with Assyrians on numerous occasions.
Neo-Babylonians
claimed the territories left behind by the Assyrians after their fall but the
former only lasted for about 50 years before the Persian empire took charge of
this region and they ruled for two centuries.
This
whole development involved centuries of turmoil and unrest. Where there was
economic harmony during stabilized governance there was social and economic
disharmony prevailed during foreign invasions and wars.
All
the historical events and facts outlined above have been presented in their
true form, and careful consideration has been given in that.
References
Metmuseum.org,
www.metmuseum.org/toah/ht/04/afe.html.
Menu, www.ancientegypt.co.uk/time/explore/main.html.
Metmuseum.org,
www.metmuseum.org/toah/ht/04/wae.html.
