Esay on Comparison of the Statues of Gudea and Gallus

Paintings and sculptures have been used for many centuries for the purpose of retaining memories of rulers or leaders who were termed to be successful or to commemorate a historic event. They were termed to be a symbol of respect to leaders since they played a big role in their societies. Statutes are placed in public buildings or exhibited in outdoors for people not only to view them but also use them for education purposes. To- date, different communities still put up paintings and sculptures in different showrooms, shrines and archives. According to Kleiner, (2016), the statue of Gudea is one of the symbols that have been in existent since the neo-Sumerian period, back in 2100 BCE. Gudea the leader of Lagash succeed his father in law, Ur-Bau in power, and he became the governor of Lagash city, in Southern Mesopotamia. As the governor of the city, his community respected Gudea since it was believed that he acted as an intermediary between the gods and his people. Gudea managed to rule Lagash for 11 years whereby he was well remembered for building temples, not only in Lagash but also in other cities. He was also known for leading a military campaign whereby, farm produce and other goods were brought to his land out of trade and good deeds unlike other rulers who engaged in robbing off other territories. In all these temples, Gudea had his votive figures stationed. This acted as a privilege to him and a symbol to his people since he had a direct connection to the gods. According to research, 20 Gudea statutes have so far been excavated between 1877-1900. All these statutes have similar features and same kind of material is used to create them (Kleiner, 2016).

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The statute of Gudea was well crafted using the most expensive stones and ornaments available during the time. Traditionally, it is said that it was made from, limestone and alabaster with 17 3/8 x 8 1/2 x 11 5/8 in. (44 x 21.5 x 29.5 cm) dimensions (Kleiner, 2016). However, when the Gudeas trading activities in the region flourished, the statute was crafted using diorite, which is a black and hard indigenous rock. A man who is seated symbolizes the portrait, wearing a turban on his head and his face is clean shaved. According to studies, it is said that, Gudea does not put on a crown in all his statutes since he only acts as an intermediary to the gods. He wears a robe that drapes over his left shoulder. His hands are always clasped together as a symbol of prayer and greeting to his people. This shows that he is humble as well as a friend to the gods. Gudeas eyes are well round shaped and they are straight and sharply focused. This shows that, Gudea was well composed and a powerful leader among his people. Besides this, it also possible to note that, from most of the portraits displayed, the statute has an unproportioned dimension of the head and the rest of the body. In addition to this, his robe has inscriptions on it that describes of Gudeas character, his leadership and the works that he had done in Lagash.

Kleiner, (2016), the statute of Gudea is symbolically used to show on his prominence in bringing diorite in Southern Mesopotamia, which was considered a precious metal. It was also significantly used as a dedication to the gods, Ningishzida, as a sign of respect.

Bronze statue of the Emperor Trebonianus Gallus, Roman ca, A.D 251-253. 1st Floor, Greek and Roman Art (05.30)

Trebonianus Gallus was a well renowned emperor in the Roman Empire. Gallus was a military and a peoples leader who was always ready to defend his empire in all circumstance. He is said to have taken the throne from Decius who was the previous emperor. Soldiers in the Roman Empire proclaimed Gallus after the death of Decius in a battlefield. Although Gallus reign was faced with several challenges especially from the neighboring empires who frequently invaded his territory, he is said to have been a man of his words and ready to defend his people at all cost. A research conducted by Kleiner, (2016) indicates that, the monumental statute of Trebonianus Gallus is said to be one of the few statutes from the Roman empires that is nearly complete from its original state and preserved to-date. According to research, three-quarters of the statute is still ancient while the other quarter has undergone through restorations for it to be complete. Gallus managed to rule the Roman Empire for only 3 years before he was brought down by soldiers and killed in a battlefield.

The bronze statue with H. 95 in. (241.3 cm) dimension represents a nude man standing on a podium. He has a masculine body and a mantle draped over his shoulder (Kleiner, 2016). His right hand is stretched out upwards as if he is addressing multitudes, while his left hand is supporting his mantle. In addition to this, his head is held up high and his authoritative eyes are sparkling. Gallus chin and cheeks is full of beard while is hair is well combed backwards a technique also referred to as penna by the ancient community. From the statue, it is possible to note that, the size of the head and that of the body are quite unproportioned. Gallus is portrayed to have a small size of the head but a masculine and large body. It is also possible to note that, military sandals cover up his feet. From the above descriptions, it is correct to point out that, Gallus was a heroic military commander as well as an emperor. The material from which the statute is made also symbolizes prestige and power. In the ancient centuries, only the well of families and military commanders had access to bronze among other precious stones and metals. It is also possible to note that, Gallus was an authoritative leader. This is symbolized from his dressing code and his right hand which is stretched upwards.

Comparison of the statues

Features from the above descriptions shows that, both sculptors represented leaders who had power and sovereignty among their people. This is seen from the fact that, Gallus was an emperor while Gudea was a governor. From their history, both leaders played a big role in unifying their people and strengthening their community commercially. It is to this effect that they were able to lead their communities in a well and designed manner before they faced their deaths. It is also possible to note that, from the prestigious lifestyle that these two sculptures were made of prestigious materials that were not locally owned by the communities where they ruled. According to Kleiner, (2016), the structure of their eyes as well as having their heads held up high also symbolizes power and confidence among the people that they ruled. Besides this, both leaders have well-structured and masculine bodies which indicates that they had a prestigious life. Being an ancient period, it was a privilege to own robes. Most people mainly put on simple clothes to cover up their nudity. However, from the listed statutes, both leaders have robes with them, which also symbolize a prestigious lifestyle. In addition to this, both Gallus and Gudea are stepping on a well-crafted stone, a symbol that indicates throne in the ancient communities. They would either put on sandal, or step on a carving.

Differences of the Statues

A distinct difference from the two leaders is that, Galus got into power by the help of Roman soldiers since he was not a direct heir to the throne. However, as for Gudea, he managed to get into power since he succeeded his father in law which ,made him a direct heir to the throne. In addition, Gallus Empire was located in Rome while that of Gudea was in Mesopotamia. Therefore, it implies that, the two communities could have been practicing different customs. Gallus and Gudea also reined on different times in history. Studies indicate that, Gudeas leadership is dated in 2010 B.C while Gallus leadership is dated in 251 A.D (Kleiner, 2016)). A significant difference that arises from the statue is that, Gallus image is made up of bronze, which is a metal while that of Gudea is made of diorite, which is a stone.

Gallus was an emperor and a military leader while Gudea was a religious leader as well as a governor. Beside this, one can also note that, unlike Gallus, Gudea statue is fully clothed up a sign that symbolizes piety. This can also be seen from the position of the hands of Gudea. A distinct difference that can also be noted from the statues is the fact that, Gudea is seated on his throne, whereas Gallus portrait is standing tall on a stone tablet. This feature may be used to symbolize the different forms of authority that the two leaders possess. It can be noted that, Gallus was an authoritative leader while Gudea on the other hand was democratic. Unlike Gudea who is fully dressed in a robe and his head is well tied in a turban and his face clean shaved, Gallus has neither a turban nor crown on his head. However, he has his hair well combed and beards. The structure of the two statues also differs in their presentations. Gallus is presented as having a small head but a larger proportion of the entire body, whereas that of Gudea is vice versa. Studies also indicate that, Gudeas clothing has Sumerian inscriptions on it while that of Gallus does not bear any form of inscriptions (Kleiner, 2016).

Conclusion

Ancient artwork bears distinctiveness and a clear form of artwork that has been used to differentiate sculptures, portraits, and statues. The art has significantly helped historians to date back different communities as well as trace back the origins of human kind.

References

Kleiner, F. S. (2016). A History of Roman Art. Cengage Learning.