Reclining Female Figure - Essay Example

Reclining Female Figure A. Identification The reclining female figure from the Menil collection has been chosen for analysis in this essay. It is a marble statue of a naked female with folded arms, featureless face except long nose and slender figure standing upright or lying straight. The antique piece belongs to the era of 2600-2500 BC and was originally found in Greece. The status belongs to the Cycladic culture which spread in Aegean Bronze age (Hammel, 2011). The period was characterized by use of white marble by people of that civilization to form statues of women. The purpose of these female figurines was to fulfill certain spiritual needs of people of Cycladic civilization. Despite using marble in their compositions, people of this period also introduced bronze and used it frequently, thus that age was known as Bronze Age. B. Description and Formal Analysis The reclining female figure found in Menil collection is carved in marble with less obvious facial features except prominent nose that is the only visible portion in the face. The shape of face is oval which is connected to neck with a slender torso depicting two round shapes showing breasts of a female. The female figure is made in nude form with breasts and sexual organ shown; the only features that consider the figure as feminine. However, the figure has a slightly slender waist that is also indicative of a female figure. The female figure is shown with arms folded below breasts in a manner as if both of the arms are tightly enclosed around the body. The shoulders are angular and the legs are shown closely connected with each other and giving an illusion of being separated, however they had been carved in a same marble. The feet are carved in an upward style which gives an impression that the figure might have been of a lying human as it seems difficult to keep the figure stand without support. (McGill, 1987) The formal analysis of the reclining female figure has been done here by highlighting the color, form and shape, space, line and texture of the piece. Firstly, the color of the statue is dull with cool color and the value of color is light with not bright intensity. The color of the figure seems to be close to grayish brown with dull outlook giving the impression of seriousness. As the color used is not a warm color such as red, orange or yellow, the figure cannot be considered an indicative of a delightful occasion. The figure incorporates certain hue stains all over which suggest use of paint on marble to give it a colorful look. It conveys the message of seriousness and the impression created on the minds of viewers is sober and serene. Secondly, the form of the figure utilizes many geometrical shapes in its composition. The face is oval, the neck seems to be rounded from the front and the shoulders are somewhat square with the curves shown to depict thighs of female. The shape defined by the height and width is separated by means of several lines (McGill, 1987). The positive space occupied by the object is indicative of the shape of a human female who is perhaps standing or lying somewhere straight with folded arms. The lines, horizontal and vertical are used to form the object giving different shapes to the body. Horizontal lines are used to form the shoulders, neck, torso, arms, knees and feet of the figure. However, the use of vertical lines suggests forming the shape of legs and nose. The horizontal and vertical lines have been used in combination to form different shapes in the figure with curved lines showing thighs and legs. The texture of the statue gives the sense of hardness with slender features that seem to be delicate and fragile and would get broken if mishandled. On the whole, formal analysis of the reclining female figure show that the figure is dull in color, with geometrical shapes, curved, horizontal and vertical lines and hard but delicate texture (Hammel, 2011). C. Original Context The reclining female figure belongs to the Cycladic civilization that was famous for the collection of marble figures which people of this civilization used to make (Hammel, 2011). That civilization spread around Aegean Sea and people living close to sea on a group of islands were the followers of Cycladic civilization. That period was characterized by advancement in art and technology among which use of marble for making statues was one art. The period was composed of 3000- 1100 BC which is particularly known as Aegean Bronze Age. Cyclades people came to Aegean islands in search of a specific volcanic rock for making tools and weapons. They also made pottery by making use of poor clay substance and later on started making small figurines ranging from few inches to nearly a foot in size out of marble. The types of figurines made by them were the ones among whom reclining female figure is one. These little figurines are also known as ‘Folded-Arm Figurines’ and were mostly of females. These figures were used for spiritual purposes and were found in graves and multiple burials of people of that age. The piece was displayed at the time of burial but became private property for the family of the deceased as a memorial. The piece was to be buried in the grave and was considered as spiritual guardian for the deceased person. However, it is not clear whether people of Cycladic civilization believed in life after death or not. It is also possible that marble figurines were used as the symbol of wealth as Egyptians used gold and buried it with the deceased in his grave. It is also possible that these carefully detailed figurines served some another purpose as performing an important ritual associated with their burial ceremonies. D. Current Context The reclining female figure is displayed at Menil collection in a way to enhance the value of the piece. The museum has displayed it to provide a context to understand the piece by labeling it with the date and name of civilization from which it belongs to. The piece has been presented in the manner to give the viewer an overview of the original context of this figurine. However, the viewer’s experience would have been different if it was seen in its original context for which it had been made. It is also worth-mentioning that the piece is not in its original condition as it seems dull and would have been different if shown in the original condition. Nevertheless, the piece is not fragmentary although seems a bit rough yet it is in its full form. The piece in the original context with a burial ceremony would have given a different feeling as it gives being in the museum. E. Parallels The figure similar to the reclining female figure is also found in our textbook. The figure in the textbook has many similarities with the one in the museum. The similarity lies in the similar oval-shaped face with a nose and no other visible facial features. The arms are folded as in the reclining female figure of Menil collection. The figure in the textbook has more clear features and is not dull like the one in the museum. The female figure shown in the textbook has small round figure to depict breasts and female genital part is obvious in the form of triangular shaped-structure at the point where torso is connected to legs. The shoulders of the textbook figure are not much angular-shaped as in the museum piece. On the whole, the two figures have the close resemblance to consider them belonging to the same period of civilization (Harrison, 2008). Hammel (2011) discussed reclining female figures with folded arms of Cycladic period in an article and considered them to be following similar pattern and theme. The figures are strikingly similar with minor differences which are not much to consider them art work of separate civilizations. There can be numerous possibilities of the reasons behind the similarity in these figures. It may be possible that the figures were manufactured in some factory or workshop where artists were given same guidelines to produce an art work like that. It can also be the work of a single artist who probably used to sell his art moving from place to place which was later duplicated by other artists. However, it is not clear whether which assumption is true or not yet the unity of thoughts of people who made all these figurines is proved by looking at them. F. Personal Response The piece seems to be an interesting work of art with carefully detailed skill work. The piece is undoubtedly beautiful and the mysterious nature of this piece moved me to select this reclining female figure for analysis. It seems interesting yet mysterious by the way arms are folded in this figure. It makes me think about the purpose of this piece and why it was made and to serve which purpose. The small size of female figure with delicately carved features in marble stone makes one question the origin of figure and to think about the type of people who made it. The figure with no facial features except a nose also made me ponder over the mystery of the piece which is yet to be solved. The figure also reminds me of someone standing respectfully with arms folded conveying feelings of submission or deep respect. It may also be indicative of the way Cycladic people used to pray or offer something to God. G. Conclusion The piece chosen for analysis in this paper is reclining female figure found in Menil collection of 2600-2500 BC originated in Greece. The figure representative of Cycladic civilization has folded arms and had been carved in marble. The figure has dull color and hard texture but looks fragile with its small size. The figurines were originally used to be placed in graves with the deceased at the time of their burial. Therefore, they were considered private property of the family of the deceased. However, the current context of the museum does not fully highlight the purpose of this reclining female figure. The figure has its parallels in the textbook of this course in which a picture of a similar female figure is given. There are strong similarities between the two figures except minor differences in color, size and texture. Overall, the figures have similar theme and patterns characteristic of same civilization of Cyclades. The figure seems beautiful, interesting and mysterious to me personally and the unique style of figure with delicate features and folded arms made me chose this piece for analysis. Bibliography Hammel C., Women of Marble: Cycladic Reclining Female Figures. The unofficial blog of the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston. 2011. Retrieved on November 16, 2011 from http://arthistorianchristopher.blogspot.com/2011/08/women-of-marble-cycladic-reclining.html Harrison, Charles, Dr., An Introduction to Art, Yale University Press, 2008. Print. McGill, Douglas C. (March 4, 1987). "Getty, The Art Worlds Big Spender". The New York Times. Retrieved May 5, 2010. Read More