The history of the sculpturing is varied and is demonstrative of how sculpture has changed widely over the ages. The art of carving still continues as a critical art medium all over the world. Sculpting has continued to be used to deliver both form and content an uninterrupted stream of creativeness and a real modest show of compassion. Sculpting is thought to have developed in Mesopotamia were civilization in believed to have started where materials like basalt and diorite were used to make sculptures. Later on in Babylon and Assyria, Hammurabi is believed to have introduced sculpting. The art of sculpting later moved to ancient Egypt and then to Rome where it began with the sack of the Syracuse. Renaissance sculpture followed on where renowned sculpture like Michael Angelo and Donatello emerged .Presently, sculpture in countries like the Latin America has developed in two separate and distinct areas.
Nike (Victory) Adjusting Her Sandal This sculpture depicts Nike, the goddess of victory, reaching down to fix the strap of a sandal. It may be hard to say whether Nike is tightening or loosening her sandals. By observing the sculpture, it can be seen that sculptor used lines that are oblique to denote movement and action thus one can think of Nike reaching to her feet while walking. Through the use of shape the sculpture clearly portrays a woman draped in a big dress such that she lifts it by the side to reach to her feet. The lack of contrast in the art work creates harmony in the sculpture.From the sculpture, it can be noted that the sculptor desired to show off some particularly interesting things he had found out about the relationship between drapery and the female anatomy. Looking at this sculpture, we develop and appreciation of women and beauty. This also demonstrates a cultural achievement.
The Great SphinxThe Great Sphinx of Giza is a sculpture of a reclining mythical creature with a lion's body and a human head that stands on then the Giza Plateau , West of Nile in Egypt. This stature is one of the largest monolith statures in the world as it stands about 73.5 meters high.
Believed as one of the oldest known monumental sculpture, it is widely believed to have been built by ancient Egyptians the pharaoh Khafra.The stature is gigantic in size and though the use of shape and size the sculptors are depicting orderliness and confidence that the creature had. The creature is observed as resting and thus depicting a sense of watching out probably over the tombs of Pharaoh. This artwork is important in to our study as it reveals to use the beliefs of the Egyptians of the mythical world; a creature with a lions body and human head (Strunk & White 2009).
The Parthenon a once magnificent structure was built from 447 to 432 BCE during the classical period in ancient Athens just before the Greece went to war with Persia. The war led to the sack of Athens by the powerful Persians who destroyed the temples, homes, and sculpture was reduced to rubble.The sculptor used shapes and size to bring out the might that the building represented no wonder it was used to shelter Athena's treasure. Through the use of vertical lines in the pillars, the sculptor brings out the effect of balance and alertness. Space has been used well in the Parthenon and this has brought out the element of balance and harmony. Observing the Parthenon reveals to us the great achievements the Greek had made in consolidating power and even erecting the Parthenon itself. This is show of political achievement.
Statue of Ramesses IIThe Statue of Ramesses II is an old sculptor depicting Ramesses standing at the Great Temple of Ptah of Mit-Rahina near Memphis, Egypt. The sculptor is made from red granite. The statue was found broken in six pieces when earlier attempts of restoration failed. In 1955, Egyptian president Abdel Nasser moved the statue to the large Bab Al-Hadid square in Cairo where it was stabilized by iron bars inside the body parts (Strunk & White 2009)It can be observed that the sculptor used shape and size to illustrate the might of Ramesses II as this sculptor towers high from the ground. The sculptor used vertical line to depict Ramesses standing a sign of stability and alertness. By use of line, the sculptor offers direction to viewers to the many features of Ramesses II. This study of this sculptor reveals to the viewer the might and power that Ramesses II had and thus could command the sculpting of such image.Venus de Milo is an antique Greek statue and among the renowned works of ancient Greek sculpture. The sculpture is believed to describe Aphrodite the Greek goddess of love and beauty. Venus de Mio is a marble sculpture. When it was discovered buried, its arms and original plinth have been lost.The sculptor has used soft and shallow line to denote comfort and relaxation and therefore offering a pleasing quality to the viewers. Lack of contrast in the sculpture brings out the element of spirituality and harmony in the art work. Through the study of Venus de Milo's sculpture, the one would come to the realization of the beauty of the ancient world and authoritative craftsmanship of sculptors who made it. This is but a show that the culture of that time took account of beautiful women.
