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Melanie Jimenez

Instructor: Christine De Pierola-Foerster

Art 150

5 October, 2010

Menkaure and Khamerernebty.

Ancient Egypt produced a civilization that lasted for 3,000 years. The art of Egypt are

one of the most valuable pieces of art in the world. The mystery and symbolism makes them very

fascinate. Their great pyramids, sculptures, language, symbols, culture and history is

remembered throughout the world. Egypt represents an empire full of power and wonders, where

everything was made of gold, and everything as a purpose. One of their great pieces of art is the

statue of the pharaoh Menkaure and his wife Khamerernebty. The sculpture of Menkaure and

Khamerernebty’s composition represents a mystery of what they belief of eternity after death.

The royal statue carved in stone of Menkaure and khamerenebty was found in the Giza

Valley Temple of Menkaure, made during his reign (circa 2548-2530 B.C.). This statue was

made to place it inside of the pyramid of Menkaure at Giza, with their tomb to inhabit the aka

belief. Egyptians belief the body was born with an aka, a soul which would live eternity after

dead. This was the reason why Egyptians begin mummification to make sure the body and the

aka was in a good condition for the afterlife. Egyptians believed that death was just a break of

life. They used to prepare everything to the one that died. For instance they put in the tombs

enough supplies like food, any material used in their life.

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The art of the ancient Egypt becomes an interesting way to see art. The creation of this

statue let us know how they want to be in the afterlife. I believe is really interesting the way

Egyptians created their history through art. First I always believe that Egyptians had these

enormous magic to convert their culture and society something unforgettable. Something

mysterious about their life, every little detail about their culture makes it so interesting because

they were too creative; everything has a base of what they do. I like the statue of Menkaure and

the Queen because it appeals to me the creation in stone, the composition, and the appearance. I

love the way Egyptians look on statues and very strong portrait of themselves. I believe that just

by seeing the image or the actual statue you get the sense of how Egyptian’s life was.

The composition of the sculpture of Menkaure and his wife is very rigid,

represents the afterlife. Menkaure’s firm posture makes him seem a strong man. Menkaure is

facing straight with one foot forward, like he is starting to walk. He has a straight muscular chest,

make him seem stronger and the hands with the thumbs straights are like making strength,

perhaps like the pharaoh mad of something. Menkaure’s face is emotionless; there is nothing but

seriousness in his face. I believe the statue of Menkaure illustrates his real personality, a portrait

of himself as a pharaoh, a person without feelings. The only importance is that he is a pharaoh

and he is powerful. The wife of the pharaoh Khamerernebty standing next to the pharaoh seems

careless, but standing before him with her feet together. But, she is has one arm around

Menkaure’s waits from behind representing a union between them. Also being behind him makes

her be less important, like she is just one of his wife’s. The queen doesn’t seem firm because she

is standing there without looking stronger and confident as the king. She is there for his king as a

lover giving him respect in the afterlife.

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Another stature similar to Menkaure and the Queen is Menkaure, Hathor, and Cynopolite

Nome. It is Menkaure the same pharaoh as the other statue, in this one the pharaoh look rigid a

powerful. The same pose of one foot forward meaning that he is more important than the others;

the others look like behind him. The statue looks very symmetrical, every individual looks with

the same proportion. I enjoy the rigid and frontal view of the statue because I can see how the

actual pharaoh looks like. The women hands touching Menkaure’s arm, these is the same as the

queen statue, but the difference is that the queen looks more important than any one because of

the hands around the waist of Menkaure. The queen’s posture is more relaxing, less rigid that

these two woman with the pharaoh. I would say that the statues are the same, but with one with

more importance.

The visual elements seen in the statue are shape, the shape of the statue is like geometric,

you can see like round squares. The statue is contained, it doesn’t look like is moving. The line

quality of the statue is straight, for me the lines represent the cuts that were carved in the stone.

The positive space in the statue is the actual Menkaure and the queen. The negative space is the

statue will be the base at the bottom which put the two figures together. The light value and color

is dark is not the original color for humans. It is interesting to see that the color is dark and you

can see the figures carved in the stone. The texture of the statue is fined, looks shiny and elegant.

In principles of design unity and variety, there are two elements which are the two figures

put together to describe the unity between these two person. The two figures and the base create

a great balance; the two sides of the statue are somewhat the same, even though the statue of

Menkaure is a man and the queen a woman the balance is the same frontal view. The focal point

of the statue is the hands of Menkaure, his thumbs like straitening up. When I see the statue, his

hands grab my attention because it seems like he is carrying something from the back. The
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rhythm of the statue goes through the geometric lines. The lines and shape of the statue are all

connected. The carving of these statues in stone makes the lines geometric. The scale of the

statue I believe is well done. The proportion is not anatomically correct, I think the human body

wouldn’t look like that, but for them they should be like that. The body of the queen looks like a

very strong and huge woman.

The statue of Menkaure and the queen represent the life after death. As this statue was

make to be in the tombs, so they can be like that when they reach eternity. Both standing together

representing their unity or love for each other, waiting for being together in the afterlife. The

queen has both of her arms around him and not the other way around. She was supporting the

king, she makes him more important. She also appears to be a minor figure to that of King

Menkaure. I believe that the statue represent their love and unity. That they would be together in

the afterlife.