Original Art Work Nabu Temple Statue

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Statue from the Nabu Temple

The art is an image of the Nabu Statue located at Khorsabad Courtroom at the doorway to the temple of Nabu. Nabu, also referred to as the Tatu, was a Babylonian god of Wisdom, prophecy, writing, and scribes. The name Nabu means Announcer that referred to his creative and prophetic powers to invite forth a vision of predictions, harvest, and plant life. (Ornan, 2005)

However, considering various formal elements of the sculpture, the statue has numerous vertical and rough lines along the shoulder and the arms. Some of the lines extend through the neck. While at the head, there exists a solid diagonal line as well. Lines along the shoulder and arms are continuous, while those found at the neck and the head are broken. Subsequently, the implied lines lead towards the eye, dropping down to the hands holding vessel—the use of vertical lines here signifying that the statue is orderly and peaceful. However, the diagonal lines at the head can be taken to suggest some level of tension. (Gantt 573)

Besides, the figure has a three-dimensional shape. The shape appears architecturally rigid. Nonetheless, the shoulder and the head are disproportionately large than other parts of the body. Simultaneously, the firmness associated with the body shape could be taken to mean boldness and authority. Accordingly, the head is covered by a cube-shaped material that resembles some of the old cups that kings or leaders of high status wore to show dominance. (Ornan, 2005).

On the other hand, the sculpture had a muddy, chill, and hue chocolate color. The figure has a masculine body with a heavyweight; While around the chin, there seems like deposition of abnormal proportionate weight. The chest region also appears bulged with a broad abdomen. Again, this could symbolize authority. Consequently, the body has a rough texture along the arms and shoulder, moving towards the chin. Otherwise, the rest of the body parts pretty smooth.

Notably, the sculpture has very long beards that seemingly are well streamed and maintained. Hence, an indication that the stature depicts someone that is old. In some instances, keeping long beards or long hair signified the presence of divine spirits. Therefore, one can conclude that the statue was depicting an individual with powerful forces in society. Additionally, the image has stern and scared eyes. Fierce eyes could be linked to authoritative people.

Moreover, the vessel held tightly by the hands can also be taken to be vessels of power held tightly to obstruct any attempt by enemies that would want to take it away. Finally, the sculpture maintains a stiff posture indicating confidence. (Ornan, 2005)

While looking at the statue, the regal image of sustainability and servitude points towards me. It has a foot made of style, symbolizing worship and devotion. The figure is also made from diorite, a material that is very scarce and expensive to be used for carving. The material's hardness could have an important significance on the detail of carving; for instance, the creator chose the elements to accentuate texturally. Therefore, it is easy to conclude that water moving from the vase tightly held by the stout is of great value. (Gantt 573)

Furthermore, the water that flows down the vessel had fish jumping out it signifying the source of life and portraying the figure as a provider. On another view, the figure holds a vessel onto the hand that could be taken as gifts or offering to the gods. Moreover, the water also was engulfing the figure and falling on the floor, perhaps to show that it was a gift or a blessing to the people.

The statue embodied a worshipper in that the spirit would be available when the body is absent. The figure resembles a man wearing a fringed skirt with inlaid eyes and hair painted. The statue is curbed, and the hands clasped together at the chest holding a cup an indication of attentiveness. The figure could have been used as a support for some objects, for saucer-like hollows were cut into square blocks placed on his crown. Another critical note is the difference in the texture seen on the figure and the water. For instance, the shoulder and the rest of the body parts, except the head, are relatively smoother. Simultaneously, the dimple on the sculpture's chin complex lines at the eyebrow and curved lips look very real, as to both the arms and feet. Hence, a big contrast to the rivers of water moving down on both body sides. Moreover, the central panel also conforms with the body symmetry dominating the whole composition of the figure.

On the other hand, even though the figure displays a colossal size, it magnifies a powerful, powerful presence. The shoulder muscles and forearms are also masculine, while the head has a piece that points to a regal position. Accordingly, the gown had various inscriptions in front of it, suggesting that the statue had a commanding role. The notes resembled the things that personified did to show honor to the gods. Thus, making the statue look commanding, accomplished, and devoted.

On the other side, it is interesting to check the composition of the figure keenly. For example, the upper body, including the head, is disproportionately larger, a style that appears in most of the statues plus other statues around Mesopotamia during that time. The abnormal proportionality pulls the concentration to the chest, shoulders, and face, signifying the strain, strength, and attention when the eyes are widely opened. The statue's arms are also tensed while the left-hand holds the cup tightly, meaning the figure accentuated the weight of the offering the sculptor is having. (Gantt 573)

The vessel held by the statue has four streams of water flowing from, rising over his shoulders down the back while the two streams down in front to the feet. The figure probably is representing fertility deities that creatures of life-giving and sustaining forces in freshwater. While in the central panel is a field different from the one of celestial god. Equally, the surrounding is aquatic, with flowing vases around it. Thus, signifying its agrarian features like the fertility enhanced by river waters. Moreover, the flowing vase is also symbolic of the pure and pristine state of the subterranean of Mesopotamia.

On the other hand, there was a close relationship between the flowing vase with the god. The waters surrounding the vase were seen as ritual purity, adding up to the waters that gave life and fertility in any arid land. The figure was elevated to symbolize the status of the god in society. For instance, the goddess was then considered divine assistants of the god and helped keep records. Meanwhile, a wedge-shaped stylus rests on a writing tablet, signifying the powerful spirits that protect the god. Subsequently, in the art, the vase featured four streams indicating that the four rivers were the advancement of Euphrates and Tigris rivers.

Another critical note is the difference in the texture seen on the figure and the water. For instance, the shoulder and the rest of the body parts, except the head, are relatively smoother. Simultaneously, the dimple on the sculpture's chin complex lines at the eyebrow and curved lips look very real, as to both the arms and feet. Hence, a big contrast to the rivers of water moving down on both body sides. Moreover, the central panel also conforms with the body symmetry dominating the whole composition of the figure. Simultaneously, the dimple on the sculpture's chin complex lines at the eyebrow and curved lips look very real, as to both the arms and feet. Hence, a big contrast to the rivers of water moving down on both body sides. Moreover, the central panel also conforms with the body symmetry dominating the whole composition of the figure.

Nonetheless, the vessel on the statue's hand could be spilling some streams of water that were very stylized. Interestingly, water motion is seen to have been further influenced by the activities of fish inside the water. However, well-defined lines on the statue's body stood out, triggering the urge to find out its significance. The figure also portrays a three-dimensional curve, while the fish and water are flat. Probably half an inch high to show contrast and drawing attention. Equally, the surrounding is aquatic, with flowing vases around it. Thus, signifying its agrarian features like the fertility enhanced by river waters. Moreover, the flowing vase is also symbolic of the pure and pristine state of the subterranean of Mesopotamia.

Additionally, the figure was stationed in a manner that would first draw one's eyes with its elevated stare. Simultaneously, as one follows through to the center, it directs one to the earth and spills water, symbolizing abundance in resources. Furthermore, the statue's gaze is concentrated upwards, while the feet are grounded and circled by the downward movement of water and fish, signifying a flow between the earth and heaven. Thus, representing the ability to provide and devote by the sculpture. Another critical note is the difference in the texture seen on the figure and the water. For instance, the shoulder and the rest of the body parts, except the head, are relatively smoother. Simultaneously, the dimple on the sculpture's chin complex lines at the eyebrow and curved lips look very real, as to both the arms and feet.