Representing Life in Two Dimensions
Ear Stelae & Hollar Etching
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Representing Life in Two Dimensions: Ear Stelae & Hollar Etching by Group 4 OL2017 is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 Unported license.
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EAR STELAE
Ear stelae are typical for the New Kingdom and on this one, two ears are shown. The ears represent the ancient Egyptian god Ptah——“who hears the prayers”. Ptah is the most important god in the New Kingdom. He is a creator-god and maker of things. He is unique in that he is able to bring things into being by thinking of them with his minds or saying their names with his tongue.
The god Ptah, who was perceived as immortal by Egyptian people, is represented by these two years engraved in this stone tablet. Here the ear stelae can be considered as an intermedia, its value is given by the meaningful image it bears. Objects are a form of non-living existence which is usually considered to last longer than human life. Images in a two-dimensional way can be copied from one object to another, which means that if people keep making objects bearing the similar image, then the image together with abstract ideas behind it can achieve the ideal eternity.
Objects which have a long history like this ear stelae may bear layers of different meanings. Now this ear stelae is part of UCL Petrie museum’s collection, and it now represents ancient Egyptian culture. Through it people can catch a glimpse of ancient Egyptian’s life and religion.
Object Specifications
Courtesy of UCL Petrie Museum of Egyptian Archeology, UC14433
Period: New Kingdom Dynasty 18 (1550-1292BC)
Place: Memphis, Egypt
Material: limestone
Dimensions: height:8.4 cms; width:5.3 cms.
HOLLAR ETCHING
This etching is part of a series of etchings by Wenceslaus Hollar called the Ornatus Muliebris. The etching displayed is Number 12 in the series. The series is based on etchings of women in 17th century London, where the artist was based at the time. The series shows different representations of women, depicting different trends in fashion through the seasons and through social ranks and different ages. Whilst serving an aesthetic purpose, the etchings are an important tool for research on that time period as Hollar was one of the first to depict women of all classes in his work.
Hollar is a famous artist of his time but this specific etching and series is one his less well-known works. Therefore, the audience viewing this object is usually educated in art and have prior knowledge in the subject. However, by focusing on the theme of representation and how we can learn from it, instead of treating it like an art object in an art museum, we are making this object more accessible to a wider audience.
Object Specifications
Etching by Wenceslaus Hollar
1639
Part of the Ornatus Mulibris series (number 12)
Materials: paper and ink
Dimensions: 133mm by 72mm
1249 UCL Art Museum, University College London
The Process of Making an Etching
Making an etching requires two materials: paper and ink. Etching paper has to be versatile, absorbent and durable in order to endure the many printing processes. The ink needs to have little body (viscosity) and little tack (ability to act as an adhesive) so that it is easy to wipe.
These materials make the etching a 2D object, however, the etching was collected within a book, giving it a 3D aspect.
The photos and video below explain the process.
About God Ptah
Why have we displayed these objects together?
Both the Ear Stelae and Hollar's Etching represent a single individual (a god and a woman respectively) through a two dimensional drawing. They are both cultural objects; one a 17th century European artwork, the other a religious relic. For both these objects, it can be argued that their most important value lies in their representations and what they can teach us about the person being depicted and the population at that time.
There are some differences that are interesting to note. Whilst Hollar's etching is displayed in a museum or in a book for a wide audience to look at, the Ear Stelae is a personal possession, owned and carried for daily use. The primary purpose of the etching is its aesthetic value, whilst the purpose of the Ear Stelae is to communicate with a higher being.