The block, Fragment of a Tomb Relief
The block, Fragment of a Tomb Relief is a representation of a man figure in the upright position. The figure is referred to as Nahu, the royal scribe who also doubles up as the brother Maya, King Tutankhamen’s treasurer. Nahu is shown to wear the popular court attire which was characteristic of the late kingdom. The attire comprises of a transparent and gauzy gown, a pleated kilt, a necklace, and a double wig. The necklace worn looks as a civil or military medal that the kings gave to their most trusted employees and in this case, he was given one. The relief demonstrates Nahu in a position suggesting that he was making an offering, a common custom in Egypt. The Fragment of a Tomb Relief not only exists as an admirable piece of art but also exists as a preservation of Egyptian culture during the late kingdom.
The artwork and its characteristics
The artwork was created by an Egyptian sculptor and represents a timeline of 1330-1300 BC (The New Kingdom). It was discovered in Saqqara, Egypt. The artwork's medium is limestone. The sculptor used limestone due to some of its properties. It is readily available and easy to cut into blocks and these properties made it the suitable material for the sculpture (Pipes 30). In spite of these properties, limestone is durable and can stand for a long time to exposure and this is the reason the sculpture has been in existence for several years with only some parts of it eroded. It is approximately 21.9 x 13 inches (55.5cm x 33 cm). The sculpture has clear lines, and the shape is harmonious. Henry Walters acquired it in 1922 and its current location is Walters Art Museum. The sculpture is a representation of artistic expression and creativity that was a characteristic of Egyptian culture. The sculpture is a masterpiece with elements placed in a manner that depicts a lot of harmonies (Robins 141). They include the clarity of the lines, the harmonious shape of the male figure, and the items carried by the figure. The sculpture was discovered in the tomb of King Tutankhamen. One main characteristic of main Egyptian sculptures was that they were discovered in tombs of high government officials and were used as symbols of the afterlife. Just as most Egyptian sculptures are symbolic, the Fragment of a Tomb Relief represents Nahu making an offering to the deceased king. It shows how much the Egyptians valued their kings even after death.
Fine details and the surface of the sculpture
The sculptor’s creativity and artistic expression are evident in the fine details of the block. The royal scribe Nahu appears to hold a water jug in one hand and an incense burner in the other hand that is stretched downwards. A close look at the piece reveals a damaged piece likely to show the number of years it has stayed. Also, the surface has some chips, cracks, and chisel marks. The chips appear granular on some areas of the limestone and may be confused with sandstone as these parts of the surface are yellowish-brown in color. Even though some parts of the surface have traces of yellow and brown color, the overall color of the surface is gray. The gray color of the surface is attributed to limestone that mostly is gray with some being yellow or brown. The artwork shows the libation vessel on the right hand still visible with only a few chips. The incense burner on the other hand is approximately half in size with the other parts missing. The missing parts of the piece can be attributed to the amount of time it has been in existence. A close look at the piece also shows traces of blue color. The ability of the sculptor to blend some of the colors on the sculpture shows his prowess since it still appears in form despite the number of years it has been in existence.
Characteristics of the sculpture
According to elements of design, the sculpture of the Fragment of a Tomb Relief is depicted as standing and has a lot of weight since limestone; the material used in sculpturing is heavy. The figure has an active pose that is depicted by the drawn-up body in a standing posture. It creates a lifelike aspect. There is clear articulation in the line of the chin and the whole face even though the figure faces sideways, a characteristic of most Egyptian artworks. The articulation is also harmonious with the angles and plains of arms and upper body, with the lower body particularly the legs missing. The artwork has a clear definition of its lines and this shows that it exists as a masterpiece and true expression of Egyptian art. The sculpture’s characteristics and clear lines make it outstanding despite the few chips, cracks, and chisel marks.
In conclusion
In conclusion, the sculpture Fragment of a Tomb Relief is a representation of Egyptian artwork that symbolizes the value of Kings to the Egyptians. The sculpture shows a man in upright posture presenting an offering to the King. The artwork is characterized by a clear definition of lines, an expression of artistic skill. The artwork has been in existence for several years as is evident from its appearance and exists as an admirable piece of art and a preservation of Egyptian culture.
Works Cited
Pipes, Alan. "Foundations of Art and Design. London: Laurence King, 2003."
Robins, Gay. "The Art of Ancient Egypt. Cambridge, Mass: Harvard University Press, 2008."
"Fragment of a Tomb Relief." Walters Art Museum, Baltimore, Maryland.
