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"Village Sheikh": *
Kaaper was an ancient Egyptian scribe and priest who lived around 2500 BC (between the late 4th Dynasty & early 5th Dynasty); though not of the highest rank, the statue is quite famous. He was a lector priest and army scribe of the King, the latter possibly linked to some military campaigns in Palestine. His mastaba was discovered in the Saqqara necropolis, north of the Step Pyramid of Djoser.
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King Phiops (Pepi): *
Kneeling Statuette of Pepy I, 2338-2298 B.C.
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Donatello (the bronze David):*
produced in the 1440s, first unsupported standing work of bronze cast during the Renaissance, first freestanding nude male sculpture made since antiquity; depicts David with an enigmatic smile, posed with his foot on Goliath's severed head just after defeating the giant. The youth is completely naked, apart from a laurel-topped hat and boots, and bears the sword of Goliath. Visually the statue departs from the heroic, for this David is both physically delicate & remarkably effeminate. The head may have been inspired by classical sculptures of Antinous, a favorite of Hadrian renowned for his beauty. The statue's physique, contrasted with the absurdly large sword in hand, shows that David has overcome Goliath not by physical prowess, but through God. The boy's nakedness further implies the idea of the presence of God, contrasting the youth with the heavily-armored giant. David is presented uncircumcised, which is generally customary for male nudes in Italian Renaissance art.
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Olympian victors ( statues of): *
The Victorious Youth, Greek bronze sculpture, made between 300 and 100 BC, attributed it to Lysippos; it may have been part of the crowd of sculptures of victorious athletes at Panhellenic Greek sanctuaries like Delphi and Olympia. His right hand reaches to touch the winner's olive wreath on his head. The powerful head has led viewers to see it as a portrait; the head was cast separately from the lithe body. The athlete's eyes were once inlaid, probably with bone, and his nipples are in contrasting copper.
