The Statues of Memi and Sabu and Gudea
Since prehistoric times sculpture has been used to represent people, ideas, and beliefs. Sculpture is the rendering of art in the third dimension. Often sculpture is formed with metal, wood, stone, ceramics, bone, etc. But no matter the material, most often the purpose of sculpture is to show an association with religion, or simply to express a held belief (wiki, N.D.). In Statues of Memi and Sabu and Statue of Gudea, we see similarities and differences but this idea of religious belief as a purpose is easily expressed.
Statue of Memi and Sabu was created between 2575-2465BC by using painted limestone. It is Egyptian possibly Giza area. It is a couple standing shoulder to shoulder embracing. The man, Memi, has his arm around the woman, Sabu, who in turn has her arm around his waist. Statues of this nature…show more content… The people at the time believed that the spirit could use the statue as a place to be so that it could enjoy the food and the gifts left for the deceased (Memi…N.D.).
The couple in the statue are not royals. They appear to be in common clothes and are not placed in royal poses of the time. Though the statue has an inscription that seems to indicate that the couple had royal friends (Rochelle, 2013).
The Statue of Gudea was created in 2150-2100bc. It is made out of diorite and possibly from Tello, southern Mesopotamia. The sculpture depicts a cultural figure named Gudea of Lagash. It has an inscription, like Memi and Sabu. Though this inscription gives the name of the statue and an indication of status. It states, “Gudea, the man who built the temple, may his life be long.” Unlike Memi and Sabu, this statue was meant for the living (Gudea. N.D.). Also it is a man in a seated position with a hand gesture of greeting and prayer. He is adorned with royal attire and he has his feet off the floor suggesting an elevated cultural status (Rochelle,