Artwork United under the Theme of Religion

Cultural Activity Report

I visited the Met Museum’s virtual gallery for this cultural activity report and selected five works of art from ancient times up to pre-modern times (1600 AD). The Met Museum of art houses a wide range of cultural and artistic artifacts from all over the world from various epochs and so it was a good place to go for virtual engagement with art covering a range of millennia. My initial reaction when exploring the online museum was one of interest and wonder because I am naturally interested in artistic expressions as I feel they convey the soul of an era. At the same time, I found many works to be interesting on their own merit because they captured a beauty and an honesty that is often touching and moves one beyond words.

The most ancient piece I selected from the Met for my display is dated from 1000 BC and is from ancient Egypt. It is known as the Faience amulet of Bes. This is an interesting piece because it says something about the religious beliefs of the ancient Egyptians: Bes was seen as a divine entity who protected the homes of the Egyptians and who was also a protector of women and children. This means that the Egyptians recognized that they needed the aid of a divine being to protect what to them seemed vulnerable. While I find most religious art to be beautiful and uplifting, this amulet of Bes is actually somewhat hideous and I cannot help but wonder whether its protective power lies in its ability to frighten would-be aggressors away. It strikes me as having the same qualities as would be depicted in gargoyles of Medieval castles and cathedrals. I selected it for the reason that it shows a relationship between divinity worship and the grotesque.

The second most ancient piece in the gallery I chose is from the 6th century BC and hails from ancient Greece. It is simply described as “Terracotta Stand” by the Met Museum and it stands out to me as significant because of its symmetry, elegance, and aesthetic value—artistic characteristics that can be appreciated across all cultures and across all eras. This Stand shows also how Greek artists influenced later art in the West. One can see in this Stand the seeds of Roman art and Medieval art as well, with its balance, harmony and imposing qualities.

The third most ancient piece in the gallery that I would choose was “Inkstone and Cover in the Shape of a Turtle” which dates back to the 6th century and comes from China. Like many of the pieces I selected, it has religious connotations, as in China the turtle represented characteristics associated with the Divine—such as patience and perseverance. What strikes me most about this work is its simplicity and honesty: it is not trying to be anything more than what it is—and that is why I selected it. I like this piece for showing the simplicity of an ancient Chinese culture and the values it promoted.

The next piece I chose is from the 13th century and comes from France. It is “Crucified Christ” and is made of ivory. Despite missing both arms, all of one leg and half of another, the piece is still strikingly beautiful. The control of line and depth of feeling conveyed in the piece is masterful and shows eloquence beyond words. This is a religious piece that commemorates the sacrifice of the Christ on the cross to redeem fallen mankind. I have selected it because even in its incomplete state it communicates much about the Christian culture of the past. My reaction in seeing this work is peace but also astonishment because it is such a beautiful carving.

Finally, I have selected Leonardo’s “The Head of the Virgin in Three-Quarter View Facing Right,” which comes from the Italian Renaissance era. This is another Christian religious work, and the face is that of the Virgin Mary. The drawing itself could easily be said to be that of any beautiful woman as there is nothing symbolic about the work to convey the fact that it is meant to be the Virgin. My reaction to this piece was one of admiration for the skill of Leonardo, but I am somewhat befuddled as to how it represents the Virgin. Nonetheless, I selected it because it is by a great master and I wanted at least one work from a recognizable name. After all, it is the role of the curator of a museum to draw attention to great works, and sometimes that means having a headliner (an artist with renown) to draw the interest of the public. Beyond that, it is the role of the curator to bring works together under a unifying theme, and for me that theme is religion.