Comparing The Art And Funerary Mask Of Tutankhamun

In art, paying attention to formal qualities is significant when analyzing a masterpiece. Elements of design such as size, color, lines, texture, shape and value work cohesively to generate a complete work of art. Form, content, balance and rhythm and movement are also other very important factors. One masterpiece titled Pendant Mask portraying a Queen Mother was created by the Edo peoples in Nigeria. Another work of art deriving from Egypt, titled Funerary Mask of Tutankhamun, can be both compared and contrasted to Pendant Mask. The fact that both works of art were created to express something significant about the culture they were created in is not the only thing these two artistic masks have in common. However, despite their similarities,

According to the text, “This Pendant Mask portrays a Queen Mother who stares out with a serene expression” (Frank, 329). It is said that this mask was created to honor the mother of King Oba of Benin. In this case, ivory was used both as the medium and the value because it represents purity. In the center of the mask there are two lines carved into her forehead representing scarification marks. One article states, “The face is framed with intricate designs, giving the piece a traditional African look while adding symbolism to the piece” (AlKhalifa, Maryam). Around the chin of this mask, a necklace is carved in a pattern which creates rhythm on the bottom half. Above the forehead a crown of alternating faces of Portuguese men and salamanders. The men were symbolic for the belief that these men would bring power and wealth to their land while the salamanders symbolized immortality. If one were to look closely at the forehead, you can see texture which was carved to resemble hair. Where the texture ends it creates an implied line creating a hairline. The Pendant Mask was created with

The purpose of this mask was to represent honor to the young pharaoh, King Tutankhamun. Nearly 22 inches tall, this masks holds parallel lines that alternate between a deep teal and a luminous gold. This mask possesses an evenly balanced value through the light and dark colors patterned through the horizontal lines. The top half tapers downwards into a rounded bottom half giving it balance in its shape as well. In the external edges of the bottom half, one can see a burnt red and blue pattern of geometric shapes. This red pattern has an obvious texture to it. Immediately, one can see that this red pattern looks to be rougher or “distressed”. Because we do not have any real life images of the boy pharaoh, King Tut, we must focus on the facial structures to gain information about this pharaoh. The plump cheeks and full lips can help us identify him as a young boy. On the headdress of this mask there is two serpents which represent his dominion over the southern end of