Art History Assignment: Comparing Architectural and Sculptural Works

This assignment analyzes and compares architectural and sculptural works. The student compares Notre Dame de Chartres and Hagia Sophia, examining their form, function, cultural significance, architectural innovation, and building techniques. The assignment also includes a comparison of the sculptures of King Menkaura and Queen Khamerernebty with the Kouros statue, focusing on elements of art, principles of design, subject matter, media, technique, and cultural significance. The analysis is presented in essay format, addressing specific questions for each comparison, highlighting similarities and differences, and drawing conclusions about the historical and artistic contexts of the chosen works. The assignment demonstrates an understanding of art historical concepts and critical analysis of visual and architectural elements.

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Group 2: Notre Dame de Chartres, Chartres, France Vs Hagia Sophia, Istanbul, Turkey.
Hagia Sophia is a museum which began as a Greek Christian Cathedral then converted
into Ottoman Imperial Mosque then into a national museum. The Hagia Sophia was constructed
using Byzantine architecture. This was the architecture of the Byzantine Emperor and the style
was influenced by Roman and Greek architecture. This design is characterized by a large central
dome, a big square nave and numerous arched windows. It also has two levels which are the
ground level and a gallery. It has many mosaic and marble decorations on its dark colored thick
walls (Nelson 98). Hagia Sophia is not only a tourist attraction site but also a religious iconic
center especially for the muslims who have campaigned for the reinstatement of the mosque that
was initially there.
Notre Dame de Charters is a medieval cathedral church in France and it was designed
using French Gothic architecture. It consists of all major features of Gothic architecture which
are a pointed arch, the flying buttress and the rib-and-panel vault. The windows of the cathedral
are stained-glass, with the upper panels having portaits of biblical legends and saints. It also has
a wide nave with winding passages used by the faithfuls. Typical of Catholic cathedrals, it also
consists of sculptures of saints and religious legends. The cathedral has been able to survive
numerous threats such as fires and revolutions (Preble 142). It is monumental to Catholic faithful

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since it is the largest Cathedral in France and culturally significant because it carries with it
evidence of ancient history of the church and architecture.
The two buildings have vast naves which accomodate large numbers of people. They are
historic monuments, having survived over long historic periods and are tourist attractions. They
both have dull colors and consist of elegant decorations. While the Notre Chartes is still a
cathedral today and used as a christian center of worship, Hagia sophia is a cultural museum.
Group 3 : King Menkaura and Queen Khamerernebty Vs Kouros
The sculpture was carved out of slate and is predicted to have been painted. The poses of
the two royalties are rigid which has been interpreted by historians as an expression of the strict
authority of Egyptian rulers. The representation of his physical features show an idealized manly
appeal of Egyptian elites. The queen’s physical features are also sculpted to reveal her fine
details (Adams 87). This statue is an historical point of reference in the study of Egyptian culture
and the existence of royalties.
Kouros statue is of Greece origin and was made out of marble and was used to mark a
grave of a youthful Athenian who was the son of Mandrokles, a noble. It has a pale earthen color
and stands over six feet tall.
Both statures depict the carvings having wide shoulders with rigid poses and the left leg
forward. This is because Kauros art was influence by the Egyptian one (Donnell 16). Both
statues have beautiful anatomy details. However, the sculpture of the Egyptian royalties doesn’t
depict them completely nude like the Kauros. This is perhaps due to the high regard in which the
Egyptian rulers were held.

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Works Cited
Adams, Laurie. Art across time. Boston: McGraw-Hill, 2002. Print. 87
Donnell, Mark. A history of Greek art. Chichester, West Sussex, UK Malden, MA: Wiley
Blackwell, 2015. Print.16
Nelson, Robert S. Hagia Sophia: holy wisdom modern monument. Chicago: University of
Chicago Press, 2004. Print. 98
Preble, Duane. Man creates art creates man. Berkeley, Calif: McCutchan Pub. Corp, 1973. Print
142