Page:A History of Art in Ancient Egypt Vol 2.djvu/295

The Art of the Saite Period. 26; far as it can be traced under the clinging robe, is younger than the head, which is that of a woman in middle life. With these reserves the statue is very pleasing. The arms are a little stiff, but the figure as a whole is characterized by a chaste and sober elegance. The modelling is not insisted upon too much, but its undulating contours are discreetly indicated under the soft though by no means transparent drapery. The whole work is imbued with the spirit of Saite art, an aftermath which was characterized by grace and refinement rather than by freedom and power. § 5. The Art of the Saite Period. After the last of the Ramessids the decadence of Egypt was continuous, but in the seventh century B.C. while the Ethiopians and Assyrians contended for the possession of the country, it was particularly rapid. Under Psemethek, however, there was a revival. The foreigners were driven out, the national unity was re-established, and Syria was again brought under the Egyptian sceptre. An artistic renascence coincided with this restoration of political well being, and the princes of the twenty-sixth dynasty set themselves to restore the monuments which had perished during the intestine troubles and foreign inroads. Their attention was mainly directed to the architectural monuments of Lower Egypt ; but little now remains of the buildings which drew so much praise from the Greek travellers. Their sculptured achievements have been more fortunate. Their statues were sprinkled over the whole country, and many of them have been found at Memphis, at Thebes, and even amono- the ruins of cities which have lone aeo disappeared. Thus we find that most Eg}ptian collections contain figures which mav be assigned to this time, or rather to this school, for the stvle held its own even as late as the first two or three Ptolemies. Among them may be mentioned te pastop/ionts ^ of the Vatican, the ArsapJies'- of the British Museum, the statues of serpentine found at Sakkarah in the tomb of a certain Psemethek. a high officer under the thirtieth d-nasty,' and the fine 1 For the meaning of this word see Pif.rret, Diction Jiaire, &c. - For illustrations of this statue and an explanation of the name here given to it. see Birch, Gallery of Antiquities. London. 4to.- — Ed. 3 Mariette. Notice dii Muste de Bculak, No. 3S5. VOL. II. M M