WA1: Comparing 'Statue of Gudea' and 'Royal Acquaintances'

This essay undertakes a comparative analysis of two distinct sculptures: 'The Statue of Gudea' from the Neo-Sumerian period in Mesopotamia, and 'The Royal Acquaintances Memi and Sabu' from ancient Egypt. The essay delves into the historical and cultural contexts of each sculpture, highlighting their intended purposes and the effects they were designed to have on the audience. It contrasts the royal and spiritual symbolism of 'The Statue of Gudea' with the more intimate and sensuous representation found in 'The Royal Acquaintances'. The discussion covers aspects like the materials used, the social status of the subjects, and the differing visual appeals, providing a comprehensive understanding of the sculptures' significance within their respective cultures. The essay concludes by summarizing the key social and visual aspects revealed through this comparison.

Running head: WA1
WA1: COMPARISON OF SCULPTURES
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Author note

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Introduction.
The two sculptures that are being compared and contrasted in this essay are ‘The
Statue of Gudea’ and ‘The Royal Acquaintances Memi and Sabu’ (The Royal Acquaintances
Memi and Sabu, n.d.). While the former is a relic from the Neo – Sumerian Culture in the
Mesopotamian region around 2090 B.C. (Statue of Gudea, n.d.), the latter belongs to the 4th
Dynasty in Ancient Egypt, around 2575 – 2465 B.C. (The Royal Acquaintances Memi and
Sabu, n.d.). In this essay, both of these sculptures are compared and contrasted with
consideration to the intended purpose or the effect they are intended to have in terms of
appearance, on the audience.
Discussion.
The Statue of Gudea was sculpted in the period following the collapse of the
Akkadian Empire in Mesopotamia. The local kings after the fall produced a wide variety and
number of statues under the rule of Gudea and his son Ur – Ningirisu. The key difference that
this sculpture highlights with respect to the ones that showed a prevalent characteristic of
dynamic naturalism under the Akkadian period (Statue of Gudea, n.d.), is the display of
piousness and serenity that it emanates. Primarily the sculpture belongs to the category of
royal statuary and were mostly dedicated to kings and lords as religious and spiritual
symbols.
In contrast, The Royal Acquaintances Memi and Sabu, is not a royal statuary as was
evidenced by its discovery in the non – royal tombs as its resting place (AlKhalifa, 2014).
Besides, it was also crafted using limestone (Hassan, 2016), a relatively cheaper sculpting
material, indicating its ownership to not belong to the wealthy royalty (AlKhalifa, 2014). In
terms of visual appeal, this statue is evokes the intimacy of Memi and Sabu, his companion.
The sculpture dates even five hundred years back when compared with the Statue of Gudea

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and its appearance has been made evident by Sabu’s characteristic hairstyle and the embrace
that both are involved in (The Royal Acquaintances Memi and Sabu, n.d.).
Spirituality is the most evident element of the first sculpture as evidenced by the
relaxed hands and the sitting down posture. In contrast, the second emanates a rather
sensuous aura by virtue of the embrace where Sabu’s hand is grabbing Memi’s wais and the
latter’s palm rests on Sabu’s left bosom.
Conclusion.
Both these sculptures highlight key social and visual aspects when contrasted side by
side. The Statue of Gudea being devoted to the royalty, is much more expensive in terms of
its build when compared with The Royal Acquaintances Memi and Sabu. However, in terms
of visual appeal, the latter evokes a much primal and natural human instinct while the former
promotes spirituality and transcendence.

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References.
AlKhalifa, M. (2014). Visual Analysis of a work of art or design in the Metropolitan Museum
of Art | Maryam AlKhalifa. Retrieved 5 February 2020, from
http://portfolio.newschool.edu/alkhalifa94/2014/07/25/visual-analysis-of-a-work-of-
art-or-design-in-the-metropolitan-museum-of-art/
Hassaan, G. A. (2016). Mechanical engineering in ancient egypt, Part XXXIII: Stone statues
industry (Predynastic to Old Kingdom). International Journal of Recent Engineering
Science, 30, 5-16.
Statue of Gudea. Retrieved 5 February 2020, from https://www.metmuseum.org/toah/works-
of-art/59.2/
The Royal Acquaintances Memi and Sabu. Retrieved 5 February 2020, from
https://www.metmuseum.org/toah/works-of-art/48.111/