Art Is an Expression

Art History 6A 19 November 2011 Triumph Art is an expression that we as humans do as a guidance to express and communicate with other(a)s. Through maneuver either depiction/sculpture has an intended purpose and message/story to convey. No matter what race, gender, or class, one can understand what message is cosmos sh ared or find an entirely opposite interpretation other than what the graphicsist intended. It can relate to the undivided on a ad hominem level, and thats the beauty of art. In this essay I lead be writing about two pieces of art that have been around for thousands of years.I will be comparing and contrasting the pallet of King Narmer (back) and the mental picture Ti watching a hippopotamus hunt. Both murals contain symbolism, as tumefy as concepts of life-time and death. Each in their individual way conveys a message of importance and rejoice. The pallet of King Narmer dates back to the first Egyptian dynasty, from Hierakonpolis, c. 3000 B. C, it is fla t in appearance and double-sided with engravings on both sides, apiece individual side separated into 3 distinctive sections by horizontal lines with the fondness being the biggest.It stands approximately 25 inches (63. 5cm) in height and tapers down to a point. The hearty ecesis of the piece is precise similar to the outline of a shield. It is imperturbable of a dark color slate, commonality rock found in Egypt. Unlike the Palette the painting of Ti reflexion a hippopotamus hunt is much bigger al most(prenominal) double in size, stand up 4 feet tall. It was created during the fifth dynasty, Saqqara, c. 2400 B. C. and is composed of painted limestone. Prior to the creation of the Palette of King Narmer, art was divided doneout Egypt.Egypt was divided geographically and politically into Upper and Lower Egypt. Society had an emphasis on becoming structured and the palate attach the unification of these two lands. King Narmer is famously cognise as the first king to rul e these lands. The pallettes historical importance marks the transition from pre-historical to historical period in Egypt and serves as the foundation for generations of art glorifying kings. During the time of Ti observation a hippopotamus Hunt Egyptians had a very strong belief and emphasis in death and the afterlife.Death was seldom filled with a sense of fear, but instead embraced with open accouterments and seen as a necessary transition one must carry to live in the afterlife. Egyptians constructed mastabas for the dead. For this reason there was a plethora of funerary offerings including statues, carvings, and paintings make and placed into mastabas. The Egyptians built their mastabas very similar to homes for the dead so when they entered the afterlife they would have all the necessities and luxuries they once had during their lifetime.Narmers palette was an object normally lend oneselfd in the preparation of eye make up, used by the Egyptians mostly to block and shield out the sun. The palette is most belike a votive or gift to the gods. Whereas the painting of Ti reflection a Hippopotamus Hunt was a funerary gift made to honor loved ones who have passed and entered their next chapter in life. In both works of art, animals are portrayed but only in the palette do animals have true symbolic pith. On the Back of the palette the upmost section portrays two cow heads one on each side, which appear to have human faces.This makeation depicts a variety of interpretations the goddess Hathor, or the goddess bat, or just a symbolism for the Kings power and military capability, which is a common symbolism of a bull throughout Egyptian art. The true meaning of these symbolic bulls is unknown till this day due to the uncommon window dressing portrayal of the bulls. Also in the back of the palette there stands a falcon, symbolizing the god Horus- protector of kings. The falcon is placed on pass off of a head sitting on papyrus representing Lower Egypt. This signifies the reign and power Upper Egypt had oer Lower Egypt.In the painting of Ti Watching a Hippopotamus Hunt animals individually serve no momentous value, but as a whole in Egyptian art a successful hunt is a metaphor for triumph everyplace sinister. In the palette of King Narmer there are a series of hieroglyphics used to signify the powerful King Narmer making Narmers palette the early existing labeled piece of art. In between the bullheads are hieroglyphics of a catfish (nar) and a chisel (mer) within a frame representing the olympian palace. The fish also pays tribute to the Nile River since Egypt strived and lived off the river for all its resources such as food and water.In the painting of Ti Watching a Hippopotamus Hunt there are no hieroglyphics used because it was intended for the dead. Its purpose served to represent and honor the loved ones passed. In Ti Watching a Hippopotamus Hunt the artist incorporates a unique series of lines/patterns to bring struct ure and organization to the piece. This is portrayed in the water beneath the boats by a pattern of wavy lines that embody fish and hippopotami. In the speedingmost of the painting the artist uses a series of fine grooves that lead into a din of birds and foxes resembling papyrus flowers.Similarly lines play a Important role in the Palette of Narmer. A series of Horizontal lines are used to break the palette into 3 distinctive sections. Without the use of lines, the palette would have no organization and would become chaotic. The portrayal of the body when referencing both Narmer and Ti is very similar. demonstrate the influence Narmers palette had in art. In both pictures the eye and upper body is in frontal view while the head and legs/feet are in profile view, one in front of the other, which was a very common depiction of important figures.It was believed that by showing the Egyptians in this way all the body parts needed in the afterlife would be properly expressed and avail able to the deceased when needed. Slaves and animals were painted more inbred and relaxed, and with a smaller scale in drawings to show there extra importance. In both pictures the artists illustrate both Narmer and Ti being the prevail and largest figure (which is calledhierarchical scale). In the palette of King Narmer, Narmer is significantly big in his ceremonial beard wearing a bowling nightfall shape crown, which represents Upper Egypt.Attached to the end of his kilt is a bulls tail indicating the power and strength of Narmer. Behind King Narmer is a much smaller servant, most in all likelihood of high rank, carrying his sandals making Narmer barefoot. Throughout Egyptian art being barefoot symbolizes the person is on holy ground. In Narmers right hand he holds a club, ready to strike a kneeling warrior he holds by the head with his left hand. This once again signifies the power and strength of Narmer over his enemies. Below this scene are two bearded men most likely ene mies of the king lying dead symbolic of how lethal and victorious of a ruler he is.In the mastaba of a Ti the painting Ti Watching a Hippopotamus Hunt Ti is likewise portrayed. Ti is shown much larger and out of scale compared to his slaves depicted, representing his importance and social status. In Egypt a successful hunt was a metaphor for triumph over evil. Ti and his slaves are roaming through marshes, hunting hippopotami and birds. Ti different Narmer is distant away from the hunt, not engaging in the action of cleanup spot the hippopotami but yet he is still present over sounding his slaves during the hunt.He is a neutral observer of life, resembling his Ka being at peace. Both murals use a variety of lines, symbols, and details not only to focus on the importance and triumph of Narmer and Ti but also make a structured organized piece of art. The palette of Narmer represents this triumph over evil more straightforward being that Narmer has already overcomeed two of his f oes about to kill another, holding in the palm of his hand the power to give life or death. On the other hand the painting Ti Watching a Hippopotamus Hunt is metaphorically representing victory and triumph through the hunt.