The Los Angeles County Museum of Art - Athenas Head - Essay Example

and Number Athena The Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) is an art museum in California that interests a number of people each year. Being a large museum, it holds thousands of ancient and modern exhibits. Generally, this tourist spot is a haven of art where people of all walks of life can appreciate aesthetics in its varied impressions like love, numbers, language, and enlightenment (Raczka, 17). One of its displays is the sculpture of Athena. This piece is extraordinary and is an example of excellent work of art. Quoted and referred to in a number of literature, she is one of the popular goddesses of Greek chronicles. As what she is known for, the figure communicates wisdom, courage, and elegance. She also has similarities with other goddesses in different cultures. The way on how they are portrayed depict their respective characteristics as deities. Athena’s head is adorned with a helmet that flatters her round and lovely face. Her hair is sculpted in wavy forms. Her curls delicately frame her resilient expression. The well chiseled nose artfully contrasts with the supple shaped lips. Though the eyes appear to be hollow, they were believed to be originally inlaid. The Greek goddess of wisdom and war wears a breast plate adorned with heads of Gorgons. These beasts can turn anyone to stone when their eyes are met. Dressed in an elegant gown, she stands with most of her body parts concealed. The drapery around her body is formed with layers of cascading folds that flow until her sandal-clad feet peeking under the hem of her garment. The composure of her face denotes serenity and prudence. The way on how her nose is chiseled may be interpreted as being spirited. Athena’s helmet represents her stance on battle. As she is known to be the goddess for war, this symbol clearly exhibits strength and action. Her ornamental-like head covering may also embody wisdom. Since it materializes to be an adornment, it is similar to the laurel wreaths placed on poets and graduates as representations of praise and scholarship and is related to Athena being the deity of wisdom. This is complimented by her breast plate. Designed to protect the heart, the vulnerability of a goddess is recognized. It gives the message that even deities can be susceptible to danger. This is where the gorgons prove valuable. With their stone-piercing stare, Athena can further champion her cause. These three creatures serve as protectors and are also seen engraved in several objects and on doors. They serve as guardians against enemies. Considering that these are female dragons, the feminine aspect is supplemented. The flowing dress emphasizes ladylike attributes as well. It epitomizes regal beauty which is commonly featured in divinities. In addition, the conservative style of her apparel conveys that she is worthy of veneration among her subjects. This modesty implies the nobility of her nature and is a model for women specially those of higher ranks in Grecian times. Her dexterously fashioned feet reflect her delicate lips. These features indicate lack of pretense and the inherent quality of her being. In comparison to other works of art, Athena has similarities with the Irish goddess, Badb Catha and Indian goddess, Saraswati. Like Athena, they have been cited in several stories and ancient accounts. These deities have been revered for their audacity, grace, and sagacity. Badb Catha is often associated with crows or ravens as well as battles (Green 26). The birds signify an oracular function as well as death, rebirth, healing and light. Tales say that she can transform into ravens and predict what can happen in battles. In the image, she has wolves as guardians in her exploits. Wolves are usually seen as creatures with a high sense of loyalty and strength. These animals are also known to be intelligent that is why they aptly accompany the goddess of insight. Both Athena and Badb Catha are allied with animals for protection. As for Saraswati, she is depicted as a beautiful goddess with four arms associated with wisdom, grace, and beauty. Unlike the other two, she is not associated with certain creatures. Regarding their facial expressions, Athena shows a steady gaze, Badb Catha appears with an unyielding look, and Saraswati demurely smiles with amiability. It is apparent that the Celtic deity has the darkest and strongest persona being related to darkness and war, so does her facial countenance. On the other hand, the Greek goddess of war and wisdom is presented with dominance tempered with expressions of benevolence. The Indian divinity of knowledge and arts is envisaged with gentleness and qualities of graciousness. As for their apparels, the Celtic goddess is depicted in a flowing skirt and a simple modern upper garment whereas the Indian divinity is clothed in a sophisticated “saree”. These three female supernatural beings are robed in flowing vestments to characterize their femininity. Saraswati is holding a stringed instrument called a “veena” to symbolize her prowess on the arts especially music and dance. For the other two goddesses there are no representations regarding music. Athena and Saraswati are depicted with headdresses. Athena is sculpted with a crested helm and Saraswati with a bejeweled crown. Similarly, Badb Catha is illustrated with a shining triangle on her forehead. This shape is also associated with the element of fire which holds the power and passion recognized in gods. These objects on the head signify wisdom and authority. Especially for Saraswati, her crown is accentuated with its loftiness and ornaments. This reflects the culture of India. It is known that ancient Indian civilization features jewelries. Embellishments has been an integral part of their religious and social life where in most women are adorned from head to toe. These ornamentations are unmistakable in their dances, paintings, products, furniture, and others. Athena’s limbs are not visible unlike the other two goddesses. Particularly for Saraswati, her four arms are quite evident in most sculptures and paintings since this denotes supernatural attributes in Indian literature and Hinduism. Since she is not also specifically a goddess of war, she is not associated with any armor nor weapon. On the other hand, Athena has a tunic while Badb Catha has a dagger tied to her waist and is holding torches in each of her hand. The weapon suggests protection and retribution. The flames may spiritual energy and zeal. Since torches are also associated with wisdom, this is very apt reflecting that she is also a goddess of vision. It can be implied that the torches light the path of the future. The qualities of goddesses are perceptibly inferred depending on the objects that go along with them. Conclusion As what may be inferred from the aforementioned paragraphs, various cultures from different places across the globe deify female beings empowered with strength who can face battles. They are also vested with acumen crucial in preparing for impending trials. Along with their skills is beauty admired by their subjects and other deities alike. “In painting and sculpture, the actual world is so full of sights which appeal vividly to our imagination” (Fry, 289). Each ornament, mold, piece, and other details in a certain objet d’art spews a myriad of interpretations. These understandings may be intended by the creator and some are possibly conjectured by those appraising the art. Though goddesses have supernatural competencies, they still need armors and tools or instruments to aid them in their diverse encounters. Each divinity has a weakness that may be exploited by their adversaries. The items that they are portrayed to hold or have are indications of both their supremacies and frailties. These flaws imply that despite their domination, they are still ascribed with human like constraints. Art has been said to reveal essential truth, encourages self-knowledge and religious beliefs, shows values as well as infinite laws (Dissanayake 203). Athena and the art works on the other goddesses say so much about the culture of the civilizations that are related to them. Their physical features are recognizably alike with the people where the sculptures and paintings originate. Hence, people tend to envision gods as somehow comparable to themselves. The pieces also embody the thoughts of the artists. The beliefs of the people who adulate the deities may also be represented. These works of art likewise reflect the human need to have communication with a supernatural being. As what Abraham Maslow, a humanistic psychologist wrote, individuals have the need for transcendence (170). This means that people desire to acknowledge someone or something higher than them as the cause of their environment as well as the protector against’ life’s catastrophes . Good art is unforgettable, it grows in stature and continually matures (Hoving 12). Clearly, the sculpture of Athena is an example of good art. The intricate molds evoke the artists commitment in creating a masterpiece. The workmanship also reflects precision and is still poignant even if decades have already passed. In addition, the piece looks sturdy enough to last more years and serve as inspiration. Works Cited Dissanayake, Ellen. What is Art For? Seattle: University of Washington Press, 2002. Print. Dorra, Henri. Symbolist Art Theories. Los Angeles: University of California Press, 1994. Print. Green, Miranda. Symbol and Image in Celtic Religious Art. London: Routledge, 1989. Print. Hoving, Thomas. Art for Dummies. New York: IDG Books Worldwide Inc., 1999. Print. Maslow, Abraham. Toward a Psychology of Being. New York: John Wiley and Sons. 1999. Print. Racza, Bob. Art is… Minnesota: Millbrook Press, 2003. Print. Read More