Critique of the Museum

Fine Arts, Houston

I took a look into the Antiquities Exhibit

Egyptian Arts!

Description

• “The Antiquities” is an exhibit in the Museum of Fine Arts and consists of a many different arts from the ancient cultures of Egypt, Mediterranean Sea, and the Middle East.• The different artifacts from the exhibit allows the viewer to have an

interpretation of the different styles and objects found in the ancient culture. • In the Egyptian portion of the Antiquities exhibit is in the center of

many other surrounding rooms with other portions of the exhibit. When you first enter the facility the first portion you encounter is the Egyptians.

Analysis

• Gold often is used on the material of their art. As well as animals to support their symbolism and tombs to showcase their belief in eternal rest. • When you compare Egyptian art to that of the Romans or Greek, it’d

be hard to truly understand the concept due to its abstract complexion. • Egyptian art, just like Roman and Greek, put an emphasis on God. In

ancient Egypt, royalty showed a heavy significance in their culture. • The craftsmanship of the artwork was poorer compared to the

Romans or Greeks.

Interpretation

• At first glance, you can’t really wrap your head around what the Egyptian art stood for or why it was relevant. This reason is what made me want to do the Egyptian art because of its complex nature. • The praise for the royal and elite is apparent in their artwork and it

shows their importance of the elite. • Viewing some of the hieroglyphics helped me visualize the

communication in Egypt and how it might have portrayed an elite status.

Judgement

• I am glad I chose to view the Egyptian arts in depth. When I viewed the exhibit, I ended up wanting to learn more about it. • Egyptian art might not be as popular as Roman or Greek art, but it

caught my eye first. • There is nothing you can compare it to, the Egyptian arts are simply

just one of a kind.

Monumental Statue of the Pharaoh Ramesses II Enthroned Reign of Ramesses II, 1279 – 1212 B.C.

Granodiorite

Model Boat Middle Kingdom, c. 2055-1784 B.C.

Painted wood

A pair of Reliefs depicting Ankh-neb-ef Old Kingdom, c. 2150 B.C., Reign of Pharaoh Pepy II

Limestone with paint

Critique

• The statue, like I said earlier, is all covered in gold. It showed a lot of symbolism of that of Egypt. • The rowing boat is quite interesting to see as well. It reminds of a

movie call Return of the Mummy that I watch a few years ago in the Ancient Egyptian setting. • The mixture of hieroglyphics and pictures is eye catching. Although I

am not sure what it says, I would love to find out.

My experience!

• It was a very insightful trip! Looking at all of the different types of artifacts was really interesting. • It was my first time ever to the Museum of Fine Arts and I’m glad I

went. I used to think it wasn’t exciting but after going, I would not mind going again!

More photos!