Art
ArtArt in general is a representation of its
culture. By examining works of art, one can often
distinguish the culture from which it came. To do this well,
one must be cognizant of the styles, purposes, and
techniques that were used to make the work of art. By taking
a critical eye to two pertinent examples of art, one can
determine how each work of art illustrates its respective
culture.
An appropriate work of art that reflects its culture
is the Outer Coffin of Henettawy. Hennetawy was a mistress
of the house and chantress of Amen-Ra. She lived in the
Third Intermediate Period of Egypt. Her coffin is a simple
one, made out of wood and white gresso, and is inundated in
religious symbolism and imagery. These images reflect a
style and "iconography"(Coffin) that developed during the
late New Kingdom in Egypt. Henettawy wears a plain
three-part wig, with two sidelocks and elaborate funerary
jewelry of her era. Hennetawy's tomb is symmetric and
relatively balanced out. There is use of foreshortening in
her feet and face. One can tell that this work of art is
Egyptian. Her arms are crossed, and her eyes enlarged in
accordance with all Egyptian coffins. One might overlook
that the whole coffin is engulfed in hiractic writing,
soundly designating it as "Egyptian". Some lines of hiratic
writing read, "Beginning of the instructions"(Coffin), which
is the traditional opening formula for "didactic
writings"(Coffin), reflecting its relationship in appearing
Egyptian.
The purpose of the coffin is no secret. The
Egyptians believed in the "Ka". The objective of the coffin
was to provide a body for the deceased. Many beliefs are
represented in her coffin. As stated above, Egyptians
believed in the afterlife. Many gods on the coffin can...
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