Isis And Horus Greek Art Analysis

Introduction

Artwork is a key to know about the cultures and civilizations of the past just like fossils are the key to the past life. In the Egyptian artwork statues of Isis and Horus have cultural and religious significance. The statue of Isis and Horus belongs to the Ptolemaic period which is in between 304 to 30 B.C.

Formal Analysis

On the goddess' head is the throne pictograph which demonstrates her name. In addition, she has worn a vulture head covering that displays her rank of queen and goddess. Her son Horus is naked and has a lock of hair on his right side of head. The height of statue is 6 and ¾ inches. In examining the composition, it reveals that the formal elements like enlarge head (crown) depict

the power of specific god.
In the image Isis is holding Horus' head in her hand and she let him suckle her left breast. The child is bonded to her knees having open palm in her knees and legs held together. He doesn’t look like to be a child having natural softness so here this pose is not realistic. He is actually depicted as future god.
Historical Context
Numerous figures of Isis nursing her child, made up of bronze, are found in the ancient Egypt. In the later ancient Egypt Isis was revered as goddess of security and protection. As a wife of Osiris and mother of Horus she had high esteem in Egyptian religion, since Pharaoh was known to be living Horus. In fact she was considered as ideal feminine and the grandmother of imperial heir.
For the centuries she was the object of an in number religious enthusiasm, as represented in her Nubian sanctuary on the island of Philae and the extension of her faction in the whole Mediterranean region.

As this object is belong to Ptolemy-II period so in that era Egyptians had gained the success in economic, literacy and artistic fields.

Significance

In the ancient culture of Egypt the statue of Isis nursing her child Horus was an effective symbol of resurrection. The belief of rebirth was prevailed in the Ptolemaic era. This belief further transferred to the Roman society where whole cult of Isis was developed. This piece of sculpture is developed out of the tradition of Pharaoic Egypt with an imaginative style of that era.

The ancient Egyptian culture is actually revolves around two major elements: Pharaohs and religion. Therefore, when they carved out images from stones or use other materials these elements seems to be significant. In the later periods i.e. twenty sixth dynasty this statue was created that exhibits the intransience of these elements. Therefore, through a formal analysis of the statue and historical background the Statue of Isis' connection to the beliefs of Egyptian mythology and their inclinations toward the pharaohs will become unmistakable. Altogether, this statue demonstrates the mother goddess (mother of all Pharaohs), Isis.

Conclusion
To conclude, the image of Isis nursing her child belongs to the Ptolemaic era of ancient Egypt. The statue demonstrates the mother figure which represents kindness and protection. By appearance her adornments like headdress show her divine nature. Overall, Isis wearing a crown and by sitting on the throne, and nursing her child makes it clear that Egyptian believed that Isis is kind deity who had protective nature not only for her son but also for her followers.

Reference
"Statuette of Isis and Horus [Egyptian], Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History. New York: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 200,
Rawlinson, G. (1989). History of the Egyptian Kingdom of the Ptolemies (B.C. 323 to 30)
Isis - Ancient Egypt,