Comparative Formal Analysis: Statuette of a youth, probably Apollo (inv. #MH 1296.1.B.OI) vs, Standing Buddha (inv. #MH 2012.40.1)
The Statuette of a youth, probably Apollo ca. 470 BCE and Standing Buddha, 15th-16th century are both sculptures of significant figures. Each figure is emblematic to a certain culture. The Statuette of a youth, probably Apollo is made of bronze, cast and incised. The Standing Buddha is made out of cast bronze, gold, shell, and resin. The emphasis of the muscularity of the Statuette of a youth, probably Apollo shows how important the body is to the the Greeks. The Standing Buddha gives the viewer a visual depiction of a “Buddha”, or someone who is free from all faults and mental obstructions. Through the sculptor’s …show more content…
The Statuette of a youth, probably Apollo is approximately nine inches tall, while the Standing Buddha approximately four feet tall. The contrast of scale between the sculptures shows that each piece had an entirely different purpose. The size of the Statuette of a youth, probably Apollo suggests that it was used for personal use and offering rather than communal worship, as the Standing Buddha might have been. Since this figure is so small, it was most likely not in a place of worship . The statuette is representing who is believed to be Apollo, the Greek God of light, music, healing, and prophecy. One might think a sculpture of a god would be big, since gods represent beings greater than humans, but this sculpture is more intimate. The viewer must look closely to see all the details of the statuette. From up close, the viewer can make note of his wavy hair, and his curved fingers, as if he is offering something. The Standing Buddha is much larger than the statuette, but is still not life size. The larger scale of the Standing Buddha shows that it was an object that was worshipped, maybe inside of a Buddhist temple. In a Buddhist temple, the Buddha is a reminder to people of its qualities, someone who sees things for what they are and is perfectly enlightened. Reminding people of this is supposed to make them strive to be like the Buddha; knowledgeable, honest, and generous. The viewer gets the feeling of …show more content…
The Statuette of a youth, probably Apollo represents a Greek God. Although it is believed to be Apollo, there is no concrete evidence to prove its identity. Apollo is often shown with a bow and arrow, but the statuette’s hands are empty. The Standing Buddha represents the awakened one, the religious figure of Buddhism. Both pieces give the viewer a feel for each culture. The Statuette of a youth, probably Apollo shows the viewer how important the body is to the Greeks. Like The Statuette of a youth, probably Apollo, many greek sculptures are of nude men. Nudity symbolizes strength, and nude men were viewed as heros. Buddhas are in sacred places and people make offerings and prostrations to the Buddha with hope to receive blessings and to be filled with inner peace in return. Even though the pieces have different purposes, they both give the viewer a brief look into the
The Statuette of a youth, probably Apollo ca. 470 BCE and Standing Buddha, 15th-16th century are both sculptures of significant figures. Each figure is emblematic to a certain culture. The Statuette of a youth, probably Apollo is made of bronze, cast and incised. The Standing Buddha is made out of cast bronze, gold, shell, and resin. The emphasis of the muscularity of the Statuette of a youth, probably Apollo shows how important the body is to the the Greeks. The Standing Buddha gives the viewer a visual depiction of a “Buddha”, or someone who is free from all faults and mental obstructions. Through the sculptor’s …show more content…
The Statuette of a youth, probably Apollo is approximately nine inches tall, while the Standing Buddha approximately four feet tall. The contrast of scale between the sculptures shows that each piece had an entirely different purpose. The size of the Statuette of a youth, probably Apollo suggests that it was used for personal use and offering rather than communal worship, as the Standing Buddha might have been. Since this figure is so small, it was most likely not in a place of worship . The statuette is representing who is believed to be Apollo, the Greek God of light, music, healing, and prophecy. One might think a sculpture of a god would be big, since gods represent beings greater than humans, but this sculpture is more intimate. The viewer must look closely to see all the details of the statuette. From up close, the viewer can make note of his wavy hair, and his curved fingers, as if he is offering something. The Standing Buddha is much larger than the statuette, but is still not life size. The larger scale of the Standing Buddha shows that it was an object that was worshipped, maybe inside of a Buddhist temple. In a Buddhist temple, the Buddha is a reminder to people of its qualities, someone who sees things for what they are and is perfectly enlightened. Reminding people of this is supposed to make them strive to be like the Buddha; knowledgeable, honest, and generous. The viewer gets the feeling of …show more content…
The Statuette of a youth, probably Apollo represents a Greek God. Although it is believed to be Apollo, there is no concrete evidence to prove its identity. Apollo is often shown with a bow and arrow, but the statuette’s hands are empty. The Standing Buddha represents the awakened one, the religious figure of Buddhism. Both pieces give the viewer a feel for each culture. The Statuette of a youth, probably Apollo shows the viewer how important the body is to the Greeks. Like The Statuette of a youth, probably Apollo, many greek sculptures are of nude men. Nudity symbolizes strength, and nude men were viewed as heros. Buddhas are in sacred places and people make offerings and prostrations to the Buddha with hope to receive blessings and to be filled with inner peace in return. Even though the pieces have different purposes, they both give the viewer a brief look into the