Visual Representations Of Propaganda And Divinity

Eddie Durrett Professor Monica Walker Art History 250-02 3 October 2014 Visual Representations of Propaganda and Divinity in Ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia Studying the near east teleports you to a time long since passed. It brings you to a world most couldn’t believe existed at the time. Westerners have always been fascinated with the peoples of Mesopotamia and Egypt because of their cultural identity and complex societies. These people that lived thousands of years ago left us with technologies used up to the industrial revolution, and their art and sculpture gave us the foundations for the future. The ancient rulers of Mesopotamia and Egypt didn’t think of themselves as patrons of the arts. The artwork of the time was mainly religious†¦show more content†¦The eyes of the head were thought to be precious jewels used in an inlay, but the piece was vandalized during ancient times and the eyes were ripped out. Imagining the piece with Lapis Lazuli eyes gives it a frightening presence. Finally the stylized hair is wrapped around to th e back and finishes in a bun. This piece certainly gives the idea that this person was a god and without fault, unfortunately the piece was vandalized and we will never get the full impact of the ruler. However, even in its vandalized form the piece commands respect and awe. A thousand years later the Funerary Mask of King Tutankhamun was constructed. The entire mask is made out of gold inlaid with glass and precious stones. The vulture and the cobra represent the two lands he ruled over, Lower and Upper Egypt. He wears a Nemes (headcloth of the Kings of Egypt) and the stylized beard and face give the viewer a sense that this person was very important. However, the divinity comes from the falcons on the shoulders of the Pharaoh. The falcon represents Horus one of the most important egyptian deities, and thus by association the Pharaoh would be a god himself. At this time in Egypt, ruler depictions were starting to show signs of being human. The funerary mask does give a sense of hu manity much more than that of the Akkadian, but the mask exemplifies divinity and perfection none the less. The two masks are set a thousand years apart, use very