Question

2. Compare the two sculptures below from ancient Egypt (left) and ancient Greece (right). What do the

similarities and differences between the two suggest about these cultures and the evolving artistic
styles of the ancient world? Why do you think these two cultures depicted the human body in very
different ways? What are they saying about the human figure?

Answer 1

The Greek and Egyptian works also share a similar set of proportions. Egyptian sculptures conformed to a strict set of ratios, called a canon. The Met kouros is important because it uses the Egyptian canon to establish its proportions demonstrating the Greek dependence on the earlier Egyptian tradition.

The Greek sculptures show some action or movement whereas the Egyptian statues are just fixed ones. What is this? In Egyptian architecture, more ornamental stones were used. Less durable marble and limestone is used in Greek architecture.

Hope this helps!