Gudea Statues

551 Words2 Pages

Throughout time there are multiple representations of art through paintings, drawings, and sculptures. Two statues would be the Statue of Gudea and The Royal Acquaintances Memi and Sabu, which are remanences of the past. The Statue of Gudea is dated from the Neo-Sumerian around the year 2090 B.C. originated in Mesopotamia. This statue is a representation of Sumerian kings as well as hymns and prayers while under the rule of Gudeu and his successors including his son. This particular statue belongs to a series of pieces that were commissioned by Gudea who installed the statues of into temples that were rebuilt during his reign. This statue demonstrates typical prayer gestures; being seated with his hands folded. The inscription on the robe lists temples that were built or rebuilt as well as the names of the statue, "Gudea, the man who built the temple; may his life be long." He was seen as a ruler that placed prayer and beliefs above all else, his temples were grand and most of his reign was dedicated to rebuilding temples that had to be destroyed through various means. The Royal Acquaintances Memi and Sabu were product of the 4th Dynasty between 2575 and 2465 B.C. and They are also different dimensions that may or may not be directly related to the importance to the person the sculpture is depicting. The Statue of Gudea only depicts a person of royalty whereas the Royal Acquaintance of Memi and Sadu depict two people most likely a husband and wife though it is never stated that they are indeed a couple. Finally, The styles of the two statues are very different. The Gudea statue is focused more on the scripture and signs of adoration such as the fringed cloth draped on his shoulders. The Acquaintance statue of Memi and Sadu uses curves and detail to depict the pair and uses a backdrop of stone in order to support the figures standing

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