From the Terracotta Warriors from the Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor of China
Creator: Unknown (People of the Qin Dynasty)
Period: Qin Dynasty
Date: 221–206 B.C.
Culture: China
Medium: Earthenware with traces of pigments
Dimensions: H. 48 in. (121.9 cm): W. 27 in. (68.6 cm); D.19 1/4 in. (48.9 cm); Wt. 304.2 lb. (138 kg)
Classification: Sculpture
Credit Line: Lent by Emperor Qin Shihuang’s Mausoleum Site Museum
Provenance: Excavated from Pit no. 2 of Qin Mausoleum, Lintong, Xi’an, Shaanxi, 1977 (1977 年秦始皇兵马俑2号陪葬坑出土).
Accession Number: Unknown
Exhibition History: New York. The Metropolitan Museum of Art. “Age of Empires: Chinese Art of the Qin and Han Dynasties (221 B.C.–A.D. 200),” April 3, 2017–July 16, 2017.
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URL/References: https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/640798
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Description: This Kneeling Archer sculpture erected from the Mausoleum of the First Emperor of Qin is just one of the 8,000 cavalrymen, infantry, and charioteer sculptures. This Statue is particularly striking in its visual gaze, form, pose and gesticulations. This statute embodied the characteristics of a living soldier in Emperor Qin Shihuang’s army at the time.
The Archer’s face is stoic, mighty, and reverent. His visage gives off a sense of tranquility after having served and conquered the multitudinous and lofty battles with his fellow enlisted men. The Archer is not only at peace knowing he holds victory but also possesses a great respect for his ruler, men, and nation. By kneeling respect and chivalry are qualities clearly exhibited. The psyche and disposition of the Archer are extremely vital as he ever so closely resembles a human. The craftsman who created this statue was clever to incorporate these humanly features especially how the Archer looks directly at us engaging the audience with his stoicism. It makes us wonder what it us he must be pondering about? Or what is he trying to acquire from us- our attention, respect, or acknowledgment of the First Emperor if Qin’s triumphs as a despot?
Within each and everyone of these male sculptures in Qin’s army bearing textured and heavy armor while holding locking and grave facial expressions, they all serve the same purpose. Qin Shihuang’s army serves as an Homage to himself and his entire life existence from birth to death. They represent his very admirable achievements of his vanquishing of the Warring States, the Great Wall of China, and the creation of the Terracotta Armymen statues themselves. While some honorable and triumphant leaders from periods of antiquity and the Renaissance would construct a triumphal arch where a procession would be set in order to remember their very sovereign, Qin Shihuang’s version was the Terraotta Army. The Archer and the statues will exist through and through time to depict the remembrance, legacy and utmost greatness and power of Qin Shihuang’s reign. As Hippocrates once stated, “Ars longa, vita brevis” which translates to “Art endures, life is short”. The Terracotta Army and Qin Shihuang live on despite his demise.
By Isabella Di Scipio
