Alexarae Vega
November 11,2008
Hugo Fernandez
Museum paper
HUA 165.1149
In the Metropolitan Museum of Art, I selected three items from the Ancient Near
East section. I chose: “Head of a Dignitary”, “The Head of a King,” and “Ur-Ningirsu,
Son of Gudea.”
The first item I chose to discuss is the “Head of a Dignitary.” The head is made of
Arsenical Copper, during the Iranian civilization, 2000 B.C. The copper head appears
very natural, the eyelids, nose and mouth are indications of a real portrait. “Its costly
material and impressive workmanship, size and appearance are all indications that this is
a representation of a ruler…”1 The art form that stands out of this figure are the eyes,
even though they are vacant, they appear as those the eyes are there.
The second art piece I selected to talk about is “Head of a King,” this sculptor like
figure is made from sliver, from the Sasanian dynasty during the late 4th c. A.D. The
Head is an illustration of the Sasanian King Shapur II. “The king wears simple ovoid
earrings and a beaded necklace of Sasanian fashion. His powerful stare and characteristic
arched nose seem to suggest that the artist was attempting to convey a sense of majesty
rather than an individual likeness.”2 The art form that stands out is craftsmanship of the
1
Howard, Kathleen. The Metropolitan Museum of art guide. Second edition. New Haven and London:
Yale University Press, 1994. (47)
2
https://www.metmuseum.org/toah/ho/05/wai/ho_65.126.htm
sculptor. It displays “…technical proficiency and aesthetic eloquence of Sasanian
meatslworkers.”3
The last art piece I selected to discuss is the “Ur-Ningirsu, Son of Gudea,” This
statue is from the Neo-Sumerian sculptors; the statue is made of Chlorite. There is a
demonstration of a “…tribute being borne to the ruler by figures wearing distinctive
3
Howard, Kathleen. The Metropolitan Museum of art guide. Second edition. New Haven and London:
Yale University Press, 1994. (50)
plumed headdresses. ”4 The overall stance of the statue stood out to me, it has a sense of
importance and character.
In conclusion, the art I chose to discuss were all pieces selected from the Ancient
Near East section of the Metropolitan Museum.
4
Howard, Kathleen. The Metropolitan Museum of art guide. Second edition. New Haven and London:
Yale University Press, 1994. (54)