The Horus Statue of Nectanebo II and the Human-headed Winged Lion

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The Horus Statue of Nectanebo II and the Human-headed winged lion, also known as the Lamassu, are two pieces of art that are very different yet similar with each other in composition, representation, function, and style. Although they were created at two different points in history, the artists thought about and created the two art works in similar fashion.

The work of art from the Egyptian period is a statue representing the god of war, the sun, and rulers, Horus. It was created in the time frame from three hundred sixty to three hundred forty-two B.C. It is titled The Horus Statue of Nectanebo II because the god Horus is seen protecting one of the kings, also known as pharaohs, of Egypt, Nectanebo II. Another similar work of art, a large statue titled the Human-headed winged lion, came from the Assyrian period. It was found in Mesopotamia which is now Nimrud, Iraq. It was created from eight hundred eighty-three to eight hundred fifty-nine B.C. Similarly, it was created for the king Ashurnasirpal II and was placed in the gateway of his palace. A common point between each piece of art is that the artists that created them are unknown.

The statue and the lamassu are similar in nature because they are both carved sculptures with animals. The Lamassu is a creature wearing the hat of a god with the body of a lion, the head of a human, and the wings of an eagle. The title for this piece of art is appropriate because it gives the viewer an idea about the creature’s composition. The animal parts represent different things such as the body of the lion representing strength and protection. The wings were also symbols of strength because the eagle was an animal that was looked at for having power like the lion. The statue of Horus, on the...

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