University of the People.
Art History Instructor: Dan Johnson
June 19, 2023.
Introduction
The Statue of Memi and Sabu 2575–2465 B.C, from the Old Kingdom of Egypt, and the Seated Statue of Gudea 2090 B.C.E, from the Neo-Sumerian period show how different cultures and time periods have used sculpture to show status, power, and relationships (The Metropolitan Museum of Art, n.d.a; The Metropolitan Museum of Art, n.d.b).
The Statue of Memi and Sabu at the Metropolitan Museum of Art shows two people holding each other close. The statue is thought to have been made during Egypt's Fourth Dynasty, which was known for its royal statue projects. The statue is unique because it shows people who are not royalty. This shows that the culture and society of the time were changing. Memi and Sabu's closeness and the way they embrace each other suggest that they have a personal connection, which could be romantic or familial. (The Metropolitan Museum of Art, n.d.a) The closeness and interaction of the figures show that the sculpture is meant to be a permanent reminder of this friendship.
Contrast
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It is a statue of Gudea, a ruler who was known for his religiousness and for working hard to rebuild the great churches of Lagash. The statue is one of a group of figures made of diorite that Gudea himself ordered. Gudea is shown in the sculpture sitting down, which is a traditional position for a ruler, with his hands folded in a greeting and prayer motion. This statue was made to show how powerful and religious Gudea was. This is shown by his formal, reserved pose and the writings on his robe, which include holy dedications and a list of the temples he built (The Metropolitan Museum of Art,