Fine Arts Class - School Research on Visiting a Museum of Fine Arts
EssayChat / Jan 28, 2017
The pair statue of Ptahkhenuwy and his wife is a captivating work of art that is typical of its era. Egyptian art is particularly marveling as it combines the atmosphere of rustic, mysticism, and tribal environments within a single art form. This particular piece was depicts the Old Kingdom and 5th dynasty, sometime between 2465 B.C. and 2323 B.C. The pair statue is a typical example of artwork at the time, as confirmed by author Mary Eaverly. Meanwhile the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston further displays art such as sections of the architrave of the Temple of Athena at Assos, which can be further compared with the pair statue. Overall, it can be concluded that the old yet mystifying piece of art is typical of the time, unique in design but not Egyptian form, and is a valuable part of the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston's collection.
The pair statue of Ptahkhenuwy and his wife was discovered in Giza, Egypt. The piece stands approximately 27 and 5/8 inches tall as was carved out of limestone. The piece is painted in attempt to provide a realistic display of the aforementioned Ptahkhenuwy and his female companion. The sculpture depicts the couple in their youth while giving consideration to the design of the human body, while the posture is further indicative of standard or even ritualistic poses given to important figures by their partners. The man in the pair statue has been correctly identified for nearly the entire life of the discovery, while experts were quick to decipher the hieroglyphic inscription of the base in combination with the artistic design of the palace authority. Ptahkhenwy was a supervisor of palace retainers, and thus although he was not a pharaoh or an important mythological figure, he was important to people and culture in Egyptian times nonetheless.
In the statue, Ptahkhenwy is structured to be in a typical male posture, standing on his right leg with his left leg placed forward. The woman stands with both feet together while giving Ptahkhenwy the traditional feminine embrace, while the inscription (in black paint) which identifies Ptahkhenwy also defines the female as being the wife loved by Ptahkhenwy. According to the Museum of Fine Arts' website, the majority of Egyptian sculptures were painted, however the paint was commonly not able to survive the wear and tear of time. The pair statue is a particular treat to art and culture lovers because it has survived while remaining in such good condition. The figure below reveals the surviving color of the paint as well as the aforementioned postures.
As the picture reveals, Ptahkhenwy's skin is red, akin with the traditional color of men within Egyptian art, while the woman's yellowish skin is also typical of Egyptian art. The rationale for this is the result of men commonly being outside, while women were commonly performed inside duties. Facial features and body parts (aside from obvious male and female differences in shape, size, and muscle) are also typical of Egyptian art.
While the pair statue is not especially detailed and accurately resembling life as is evident in Greek and Roman statues and art, the art here was designed to depict an idealization of people, life, and the desire to be remembered after death. As mentioned, author Mary Eaverly supports the Museum of Fine Arts' depiction of Egyptian art and its common features. Men and women are typically distinct in dark and light color as described, as the result of lifestyle differences. Shape, meanwhile, is not detailed while rather focusing on atmosphere and idealization effects. Other Egyptian art from sections of the architrave of the Temple of Athena at Assos further reveal commonalities in shape and design from the culture.
The other elements of the pair statue reveal other aspects of Egyptian art and culture. The clothing worn by each member is white, is this was created to show the linen and clothing typically created without dye at the time. Dyes were commonly available but were naturally in much less abundance at the time, while dying clothing effectively was also more challenging. The v-shaped design in the women's dress was common for the Old Kingdom and women in Egyptian art, while the female anatomy is also commonly portrayed to a similar detail from the tight fit across Egyptian art. This is another aspect of the art which is ultimately for atmosphere and idealization, as a dress so tight in Egyptian design would have restrict motion; it is known that dresses worn at the time were actually looser (Museum of Fine Arts). Ptahkhenwy, meanwhile, is portrayed in the kilt descending to the knees as is common in Egyptian art. The amount of jewelry worn by each person is also typical of art and people in Egyptian culture during the time frame. The collars worn by each person and their bright stones, the anklets and bracelet, the black wig in rowed curls, and the central part in the female wig are all commonly portrayed across much Egyptian art from the Old Kingdom.
As mentioned, the pair statue is a classic example of Egyptian sculpture art, while the Museum of Fine Arts is fortunate to own a piece with intact paint. While similar in design to sections of the architrave of the Temple of Athena at Assos, and much less detailed than classic Greek or Roman sculpture, Egyptian art tends to emphasize atmosphere and idealization. This is likely the reason why people tend to be so drawn to it. Egyptian art has a unique feeling that has marveled people since its creation.
Works Cited
Nakhai, Beth A., ed. The World of Women in the Ancient and Classical Near East. Newcastle, UK: Cambridge Scholars Publishing.
The Museum of Fine Arts. "Pair statue of Ptahkhenuwy and his wife."
The pair statue of Ptahkhenuwy and his wife was discovered in Giza, Egypt. The piece stands approximately 27 and 5/8 inches tall as was carved out of limestone. The piece is painted in attempt to provide a realistic display of the aforementioned Ptahkhenuwy and his female companion. The sculpture depicts the couple in their youth while giving consideration to the design of the human body, while the posture is further indicative of standard or even ritualistic poses given to important figures by their partners. The man in the pair statue has been correctly identified for nearly the entire life of the discovery, while experts were quick to decipher the hieroglyphic inscription of the base in combination with the artistic design of the palace authority. Ptahkhenwy was a supervisor of palace retainers, and thus although he was not a pharaoh or an important mythological figure, he was important to people and culture in Egyptian times nonetheless.In the statue, Ptahkhenwy is structured to be in a typical male posture, standing on his right leg with his left leg placed forward. The woman stands with both feet together while giving Ptahkhenwy the traditional feminine embrace, while the inscription (in black paint) which identifies Ptahkhenwy also defines the female as being the wife loved by Ptahkhenwy. According to the Museum of Fine Arts' website, the majority of Egyptian sculptures were painted, however the paint was commonly not able to survive the wear and tear of time. The pair statue is a particular treat to art and culture lovers because it has survived while remaining in such good condition. The figure below reveals the surviving color of the paint as well as the aforementioned postures.
As the picture reveals, Ptahkhenwy's skin is red, akin with the traditional color of men within Egyptian art, while the woman's yellowish skin is also typical of Egyptian art. The rationale for this is the result of men commonly being outside, while women were commonly performed inside duties. Facial features and body parts (aside from obvious male and female differences in shape, size, and muscle) are also typical of Egyptian art.
While the pair statue is not especially detailed and accurately resembling life as is evident in Greek and Roman statues and art, the art here was designed to depict an idealization of people, life, and the desire to be remembered after death. As mentioned, author Mary Eaverly supports the Museum of Fine Arts' depiction of Egyptian art and its common features. Men and women are typically distinct in dark and light color as described, as the result of lifestyle differences. Shape, meanwhile, is not detailed while rather focusing on atmosphere and idealization effects. Other Egyptian art from sections of the architrave of the Temple of Athena at Assos further reveal commonalities in shape and design from the culture.
The other elements of the pair statue reveal other aspects of Egyptian art and culture. The clothing worn by each member is white, is this was created to show the linen and clothing typically created without dye at the time. Dyes were commonly available but were naturally in much less abundance at the time, while dying clothing effectively was also more challenging. The v-shaped design in the women's dress was common for the Old Kingdom and women in Egyptian art, while the female anatomy is also commonly portrayed to a similar detail from the tight fit across Egyptian art. This is another aspect of the art which is ultimately for atmosphere and idealization, as a dress so tight in Egyptian design would have restrict motion; it is known that dresses worn at the time were actually looser (Museum of Fine Arts). Ptahkhenwy, meanwhile, is portrayed in the kilt descending to the knees as is common in Egyptian art. The amount of jewelry worn by each person is also typical of art and people in Egyptian culture during the time frame. The collars worn by each person and their bright stones, the anklets and bracelet, the black wig in rowed curls, and the central part in the female wig are all commonly portrayed across much Egyptian art from the Old Kingdom.
As mentioned, the pair statue is a classic example of Egyptian sculpture art, while the Museum of Fine Arts is fortunate to own a piece with intact paint. While similar in design to sections of the architrave of the Temple of Athena at Assos, and much less detailed than classic Greek or Roman sculpture, Egyptian art tends to emphasize atmosphere and idealization. This is likely the reason why people tend to be so drawn to it. Egyptian art has a unique feeling that has marveled people since its creation.
Works Cited
Nakhai, Beth A., ed. The World of Women in the Ancient and Classical Near East. Newcastle, UK: Cambridge Scholars Publishing.
The Museum of Fine Arts. "Pair statue of Ptahkhenuwy and his wife."