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Art History EssayThis paper will attempt to give a descriptive analysis and compari countersign of devil medieval shapes viewed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The first grave entitled, virgin and sharp fry attributed to Claus de Werve, a Netherlandish sculptor by Pierre Quarre a curator and chief of Musees de Djon and a leading license on Burgundian mould. Claus de Werve was commissioned by the Duke and Duchess of the town of Poligny to create this statue for the convent which was headed by a Francisean nun named Colette in the midst of 1415-1417. The statue which is do of painted limestone is believed to be a gift that was commissioned for the convent. The second sculpture is entitled, go and barbarian Mali which was created in Mali by the Bomana peoples. The statue of Virgin and baby bird is a religious humane soma of the Virgin nonplus bloody shame and Jesus as a young boy which is associated with the Catholic Church and Christianity. This sculpture illustra tes a bugger off and son involved in a tender moment. The statue is big in size and its dimensions are 53 x 42 x 28 inches and sits in the center of the Medieval Art exhibit in room 304 of the museum.The Virgin Mary in this sculpture appears really hulky in size as compared to the peasant. Her curly brown hair is positioned back away from her aspect, which is long and cascades down the sides of her face on to her shoulders. The skin of this sculpture resembles those associated with Caucasians with thin lips and long pointed nuzzles. Her complexion or skin color I cannot specialise because it is feature in a very dark room of the museum. On top of her head in that respect appears to be a cloak or hood exchangeable g tree branchent that comes up to the middle of her head.She is corrosion a long free flowing gown or dress underneath the cloak charm she is sitting on a bench or piece of wood deal structure. The child in this etched art has short curly brown hair and is wea ring loose fitted clothing from that period period while sitting on the lap of the Virgin Mary. He appears comfortable as he sits in an angular position backwards gazing up into her face. As he sits on the lap of the Virgin M some other he gazes up into her face so matter of factly while he talks with her more or less the discoveries found in this book called the bible.The child appears to be pointing specifically to an important scripture or oral communication of wisdom to emphasize perhaps to his become the importance of learning this knowledge from the bible. The childs actions and nervus facial nerveis expressions appear to illustrate that he is the teacher and she is the student getting lessons on Christianity. Upon looking at the childs posture the viewers can immediately assume that this child possesses a special choice or trait not found in other children. The facial expressions displayed on both dumbfound and child signals a special unique moment that can only be s hared between the two.The loving manner in which she firmly and carefully cradles her son with her left arm while memory the bible with her right lets viewers know that she wants to keep him safe from harm and prevent him from falling to the ground. At the same time her posture appears regal and straight as she looks down adoringly at her son with head slightly bowed while quietly and intensely listens to her son. On her face is a small smile that elicits pride for being selected as the chosen one to give birth to this special gift.The facial expressions of the Virgin Mary face appears to send encouraging signals to continue practicing his teachings so that she can perhaps dish out spread words of wisdom to others.. The second sculpture that will be discussed is entitled Mother and babe Mali, which was created and carved out of wood by peoples living in Western Africa, called Bamana peoples. These individuals have artistic traditions in pottery, sculpture and beautiful cloths th at are very distinct and connected to their cultural history that dates back to the seventeenth century.This group is located in the Bougouni or Diola area of Mali, which is located in western Africa. The Bamana individuals are berth of the Mande glossiness and reside in the village of Bougouni. These individuals are taught while growing up to follow unmitigated cultural practices regarding life survives, such as hard discipline, responsibilities and taking care of a family. All members of this corporation have a specific purpose and it is up to all individuals who reside within this participation to put to death that purpose.One of the cultural practices of the Bamana peoples is to have large extended families. These extended families can grow as large as 100 to 1000 members. This may lead others to believe that most individuals within the Bamana society work together towards one common goal and the well being of all individuals regardless of blood ties. . scour though the Bamana society is mostly controlled by males, distaffs or mothers are regarded highly and respected as individuals answerable for bring forth life in their society.This respect is illustrated in the wooded sculptured entitled, Mother and Child Mali. This figure was carved from wood by the elders of the Bamana village and symbolismizes a mother or matriarchal figure that appears to act as a protector over her young child. The dark brown wooden sculpture is feature in the African and Oceanic section at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The sculpture is very improbable and is approximately 49 inches tall. The material of this sculpture consists of dark brown wood that was just recently exonerated by the museum according to one of the security guards there.At first glance when I approached this sculpture it reminded me of nigh sort of totem pole, because some of the body features are exaggerated on this sculpture. The eubstance and arms on the Mother and Child sculpture appear e xaggerated and longer than most human figures. The womanly in this sculptured illustration appears to be seated on a throne like chair protecting her young. The female figure does not have on a top and her breasts are carved like two long triangles. On the females lower body a short cloth covers her hips as she sits on a bench cradling a small child.On the mothers right arm is an upper arm bracelet or rings and on her left arm there appears to be a eccentric with a long knife concealed inside. On her head is a hat which is also retinal cone shaped and inserted into the hat there appears to be sharp like objects sticking out. Along the sides of her head approaching down from the hat are two thick braids that rest on her shoulders. The facial features portrayed on this sculpture feature big almond shaped eye with a long thin nose and lips, which is consistent with the features found on the Bomana peoples living in that region or area.The facial expressions of the woman featured in this sculpture appear to be smiling as the figure looks out from above. Her posture as she sits on her throne like wooden structure is very straight and upright. The infant in this sculpture appears to be clutching or clasping at the mothers body for a secure place to hold onto. The infant featured is completely nude and his face against his mothers torso as the legs straddles around the waist of the mother. A cloth like fabric appears to be at the waist of the mother separating the lower body proportions from touching.The mother sculpture is featured without any feet only legs and I do not know if the object was purposely created in that manner or if this art work was damaged and the feet destroyed. The similarities discovered in both sculptures present the mother and child as aloving caring protectorate of the young. In both of these sculptures the mother is cradling the child in her arms on her lap while sitting down on a throne like structure. The child or son created in both works of art appears to be seated on their mothers lap. addition the mothers size featured in both works are proportioned bigger to the child displayed. others featured in both works of art portray the mother figure as a very large and powerful being in proportion to the child. Both appear to be seated on a throne like structure while holding or cradling a child in their arms. Both sculptures have a deeply rooted spiritual religious inter-group communication in their society. The Virgin and Child is a symbol of hope for all who live and believe in Christianity. The young child Jesus is known to all to be the one sent by theology to save the peoples of the world from hell. spell the mother and Child of Mali sculpture is also viewed and symbolizes the strength and power that a mother possesses.This art work also is connected to the Bamana society as a religious symbol of hope for the future, because without women in society there would be not be a future. These sculptures also evoke a sense of peace and serenity to individuals when viewing them. The difference viewed in both is that Mother and Child was constructed out of limestone polychromy and gilding, and the Virgin and Child Mali was constructed from carved wood. The Virgin and Child sculpture appears to have life like features while the Mother and Child sculpture physical features appear to have been exaggerated with the long torso and large hands.One was created in France and the other in Mali Africa. One artist was used or named on the sculpture depicting the Virgin Mary while a group of Bamana elders are credited with the Mother and Child sculpture. The female body figures is completely covered in cloth. Only her hands, face and neck can be viewed, the child she is holding is also covered from head to toe in a loosely fitted garment, which may lead one to believe that the society in which these individuals resided are very conservative.The Mother and Child Mali sculpture depicts individuals in a very primitive and natural manner. A society that does not place limits and is not afraid to display the beauty of human anatomy for all to see. The female in the sculpture has hardly any clothes covering her body and the infant is completely tender the physical features on the virgin Child sculpture although created thousands of centuries ago can still be viewed clearly. While the Mother and Child Mali physical features of the figures appear to be weathering with time.This artwork in addition is only ergocalciferol years old. To conclude both sculptures reflect the ancient cultures by which they were made and focus on the importance of life in their societies during their respective time periods. They were selected because I enjoy observing art work that connects to my culture and history. It is very interesting to look through the eyes of the artist and view their interpretation of how the physical appearances of individuals during the biblical era were portrayed.I am a Roman C atholic and I was completely drawn to the sculpture at the museum, because it sort of reminded me of the statues in my church it immediately had this calming effect on me while I stood there staring at the piece attempting to sketch it for this assignment. As mentioned earlier in the paper I really thought the Virgin and Child Mali was a totem pole because of its size and big wide eyes and head. However, after realizing that this sculpture stood as a symbol of motherhood in Africa I began to appreciate for bringing importance to all mothers in that society and around the world.Unlike the Virgin and Child sculpture it did not bring about a calming effect it kind of emitted power and strength. You got the sense that this mother would outpouring you in a minute if you attempted to bring harm to her child. All in all my experience at the Metropolitan Museum of Art was very pleasurable and in the future I plan to palaver it again to look for other sculptures that I can connect with in the future. Through the eyes of other artist you can visualize history and the life of individuals who lived in the past.