Standing Male Figure with Nails and Reliquary of Sainte Foy - Essay Example

At first glance, art is often misinterpreted. A study of comparison and contrast Standing Male Figure with Nails (Nkisi Nkondi) and Reliquary of Sainte Foy yield a greater appreciation for each piece. Here, we analyze both likes and differences of these works.
Some of the likes are compared below. Both representations are disproportioned with large heads and small bodies. Both appear to be iconic definitions of man for some honorific purpose. Both are moving depictions of men in varied situations of suffering and grace. As much as they are like so are these sculptures different.
Some contrasts are noted here. Standing Male Figure with Nails appears to be mostly wood; whereas, Reliquary of Sainte Foy is gilded. Furthermore, Standing Male Figure with Nails appears to be the image of a yoked and tortured African; while the Reliquary of Sainte Foy is the image of an enthroned European.