[Assignment/Research]

1. Compareand contrastthe Egyptian and
Mesopotamianart
There are many significant similarities and differences between the art of ancient Egypt
and the art of the various civilizations in ancient Mesopotamia.
The ancient Egyptians were known for creating large monuments such as the Great Spinx
and the Temple of Ramses II. These massive sculptural structures many times were
created in preparation for the afterlife. The Egyptians had the ability to import large
stones for these great structures, and they also were able to organize a massive labor force
for building purposes.
Art from the Mesopotamian region tends to be smaller and less grand than the
Egyptians’. Like the Egyptians their sculptural figures appear stiff and ridged, however
the figurative structures from Mesopotamia were often based on cone forms and were
depicted with hands clasped in front (See the Statuettes from the Temple of Abu Tell
Asmar.) Unlike the Egyptians, Mesopotamian artist often created their human figures
with exaggeratedly large eyes. They used scale to indicate hierarchy in the culture. For
example, women did not hold a high place in Mesopotamian societies, consequently
statues and figurines of women are represented as being much smaller than those
depicting men.
This is in contrast to Egyptian society where women are represented as being more
equal. The statue of Menkaure and his queen Khamerernebty is a great example of
this. It shows this royal husband and wife standing together as equals. Although there
are indications that Menkaure holds the power i.e. his clenched fists, taller stature, and his
left foot stepping out past that of his wife, it is clear that his wife is not inferior.
Hieroglyphics, the written language of the Egyptians was very pictorial. They used
pictures and symbols to represent people, things and actions. The Mesopotamians on the
other hand developed the written communication called cuneiform which was made up of
wedge shaped symbols carved onto clay tablets. The peoples of ancient Mesopotamia
are renowned for their contribution to literary history with works such as the Epic of
Gilgamesh which according the eNotes/Wikipedia page on the subject is “among the
earliest known works of literature.”
In both cultures art was used on the sides of everyday objects and on the walls of
monuments depicting scenes from everyday life. Art was also a means to show reverence
to gods and goddesses, kings and queens.
Both cultures emphasized the perfection of the human figure in proportion and in terms
of view. With respect to 2 dimensional arts, each part of the body was depicted at the
most representative angel. Feet and heads are depicted in profile but eyes and torsos are
shown in frontal view.

2. In both Egyptian and Mesopotamian art there are many examples of 2 dimensional
depictions of evenly spaced figures in procession with repetitive, almost identical poses.
Creatures with a mixture of both human and animal body parts are another common
subject matter.