The Seated Statue of Gudea and Sahura and a Deity are excellent examples of Mesopotamian and Egyptian sculpture. Each sculpture depicts a ruler within the respective society featured in a sitting position. Each piece is staged in a manner that has a religious connotation. Neither figure is meant to be a realistic representation of what the individual looked like, but more of a generalized (and idealized) form. Although quite similar, the forms can be differentiated due to a few stark contrasts. Sahura and Deity has two figures, the poses of Sahura and Gudea are slightly different, and the modeling of the characters within each piece is stylistically distinct.

The most obvious difference between the Seated Statue of Gudea and Sahura and Deity is the existence of two figures within the statue of Sahura and Deity. This difference can be largely accredited to the varying roles that deities played in Egyptian and Mesopotamian societies and the interaction between those deities and the rulers. In Mesopotamian cultures, the rulers were very much mortal beings who interacted with the deities in the same manner as everyone else. Egyptian society had much different standards. The Pharaohs of Egypt were also gods. The dualistic nature of the Pharaohs’ human form and divinity breaks down the hierarchy of religious figures prevailing over secular figures because the Pharaohs served in both the secular roles of Egyptian government and the religious roles. This allows for Sahura to be viewed as being on the same level as the deity with whom he is pictured. The Egyptians used hierarchy or proportions, but due the divinity of Sahura, the deity depicted alongside him is pictured in a smaller form.

The poses of Gudea and Sahura may be similar at first appearance, but the differences in poses creates a vastly different feel in how each statue is viewed. Gudea has very humble pose. He is seated in a manner that is representative of how he would have been seated while in prayer. His legs are together and his hands are resting in his lap. Sahura, on the other hand is in a very different position. He is also seated, but the staging presents Sahura in a very strong seated position. In contrast to Guea’s praying hands, Sahura has his right hand clenched in a fist. His left arm protrudes onto his lap, but is chipped, however it was most likely in a positions where his fingers were outstretched resting upon his lap, which was a common pose for Egyptian pharaohs at the time the statue was created. The forms of Gudea and Sahura are very different in the level of realism depicted. Both sculptures present their respective character(s) in a form which is not meant to be purely representational of the individual(s) featured. The modeling of Sahura and a Deity is quit boxy in feel. The arms and legs become almost cylindrical, and chests are oversized. The form of Gudea, due to his seated position, hides more of these inadequacies, however much can be read from what body parts do show. Gudea’s arms, and specifically his right, are very well modeled. The head is way too large for the body, however the depiction of a facial expression is much more successful then the image of Sahura. Both statues have oversized hands and feet. Neither uses perfect modeling, and both have aspects which are much more successful then the other. The Seated Statue of Gudea and Sahura and a Deity are two excellent works of art from Egypt and Mesopotamia. Both pieces were created in association with a religious practice. They have many similarities, but also vary to a certain degree in the modeling of the figures, the poses of the figures, and the fact that Sahura and a Deity shows two individuals.

Each piece is unique, beautiful, and provides an excellent caveat into the early Egyptian and Mesopotamian cultures. The Seated Statue of Gudea and Sahura and a Deity are excellent examples of Mesopotamian and Egyptian sculpture. Each sculpture depicts a ruler within the respective society featured in a sitting position. Each piece is staged in a manner that has a religious connotation. Neither figure is meant to be a realistic representation of what the individual looked like, but more of a generalized (and idealized) form. Although quite similar, the forms can be differentiated due to a few stark contrasts. Sahura and Deity has two figures, the poses of Sahura and Gudea are slightly different, and the modeling of the characters within each piece is stylistically distinct.

The most obvious difference between the Seated Statue of Gudea and Sahura and Deity is the existence of two figures within the statue of Sahura and Deity. This difference can be largely accredited to the varying roles that deities played in Egyptian and Mesopotamian societies and the interaction between those deities and the rulers. In Mesopotamian cultures, the rulers were very much mortal beings who interacted with the deities in the same manner as everyone else. Egyptian society had much different standards. The Pharaohs of Egypt were also gods. The dualistic nature of the Pharaohs’ human form and divinity breaks down the hierarchy of religious figures prevailing over secular figures because the Pharaohs served in both the secular roles of Egyptian government and the religious roles. This allows for Sahura to be viewed as being on the same level as the deity with whom he is pictured. The Egyptians used hierarchy or proportions, but due the divinity of Sahura, the deity depicted alongside him is pictured in a smaller form.

The poses of Gudea and Sahura may be similar at first appearance, but the differences in poses creates a vastly different feel in how each statue is viewed. Gudea has very humble pose. He is seated in a manner that is representative of how he would have been seated while in prayer. His legs are together and his hands are resting in his lap. Sahura, on the other hand is in a very different position. He is also seated, but the staging presents Sahura in a very strong seated position. In contrast to Guea’s praying hands, Sahura has his right hand clenched in a fist. His left arm protrudes onto his lap, but is chipped, however it was most likely in a positions where his fingers were outstretched resting upon his lap, which was a common pose for Egyptian pharaohs at the time the statue was created.

The forms of Gudea and Sahura are very different in the level of realism depicted. Both sculptures present their respective character(s) in a form which is not meant to be purely representational of the individual(s) featured. The modeling of Sahura and a Deity is quit boxy in feel. The arms and legs become almost cylindrical, and chests are oversized. The form of Gudea, due to his seated position, hides more of these inadequacies, however much can be read from what body parts do show. Gudea’s arms, and specifically his right, are very well modeled. The head is way too large for the body, however the depiction of a facial expression is much more successful then the image of Sahura. Both statues have oversized hands and feet. Neither uses perfect modeling, and both have aspects which are much more successful then the other.

The Seated Statue of Gudea and Sahura and a Deity are two excellent works of art from Egypt and Mesopotamia. Both pieces were created in association with a religious practice. They have many similarities, but also vary to a certain degree in the modeling of the figures, the poses of the figures, and the fact that Sahura and a Deity shows two individuals. Each piece is unique, beautiful, and provides an excellent caveat into the early Egyptian and Mesopotamian cultures.