Subtle Differences in Beliefs
The figures of Calf-Bearer and The Good Shepherd are similar but have many differences. The Calf-Bearer was carved out of limestone or marble in about 570 B.C. and has a very lifelike appearance. The Good Shepherd was carved in about 300 B.C. and has some personal detail, such as curls in hair, clothing, and facial structure.
The Calf-Bearer was made during a time period when many sculptures were made. The people of this time period carved many figures of people. The figure has hollow eyes, which appears to me that they were either painted or had something in them when they were made. The person in the statue is an older person with thick legs and arms; the person looks to be a strong, hard-working person.
The Good Shepherd was one of few made in this time period; it depicts Orpheus carrying a lamb. The artist used Orpheus to represent a young Jesus (who is called the Good Shepherd in the Christian religion). Orpheus, as depicted in the figure, is a youthful and lean person, not very muscular. The lamb in the figure is to represent a sacrifice to God.
There was not much of a difference in the time period of these two statues being created, but there were huge differences in their beliefs of creating them. In 570 B.C. it was normal to create a statue of a man; in 300 B.C. it wasn’t proper.
