MFA Boston, review by Catie Wildman

The Greeks: They're Watching You by Catie Wildman

The Museum of Fine Arts in Boston has many complete and immense collections that enable one to draw connections between exhibits and time periods. Alexander the Great of Greece invaded Egypt, and added Egypt to his expanding empire. Greek and Roman style had an influence and intertwined with Egyptian art and culture. “The Influence of the Classical World” is a portrait of a man that has been dated to the Ptolemaic and Roman Periods between 332 B.C and 395 A.D. This painting can be found in the ancient Egyptian exhibit, placed next to mummies and masks for these mummies for their journey to their next life.  “Portrait of a young woman” is located in the ancient European art including Greek and Roman pieces. This painting has been dated back to the first or second century A.D, and is from Egypt. It is a young Egyptian woman that has been painted as a mask for a mummy. After the invasion of Egypt, the Romans and Greeks adopted Egyptian burial methods. The difference in time between the two portraits shows how Egyptian art was influenced and became comparable to Roman and Greek art.

There are numerous similarities between the two portraits regardless of the different origins. Both paintings have enlarged, doe-like brown eyes, elongated necks, and short brown hair. The eyebrows are dark, defined, and arched on both the male and female. The two portraits both include pouty lips. The two styles are also very alike, both being a realistic portrayal of the human form, with visible brush strokes. The sizes of the portraits are related, the canvas being long and thin, showing the head down to the chest, and excluding the shoulders. Despite the great number of similarities, there is one noticeable difference in the two works of art. The portrait of the woman has a dark, even toned background that creates contrast against her skin. However the portrait of the man has a similarly red colored background to his skin and clothing, which in turn did not create contrast and helps him to blend into the background. The Museum of Fine Arts has an expanse of art from varying time periods and places in the world, which helps to create links between the past and the present.