Ancient Egyptian Art

Architecture, Painting and Sculpture

The Visual Experience text pages 416-417Art in Focus text 146-161

http://www.flashcardmachine.com/2204086/8q8u

http://youtu.be/yVrNV_5LhNE Walk Like an Egyptian

Ancient Egypt

Great Pyramids at Giza (geez-a)

Old KingdomPurpose: tomb for PharaohBuilding Material: limestoneCompletion time: decadesBase: 750 ft per sideArea: 13 acresHeight: 480 ft

The Kings Chamber was reached through the Grand Gallery and was ventilated by narrow shafts. The ascending corridor was then sealed by large stones and workmen escaped down a shaft and exited through the descending passage

Evolution of Egyptian burial tombs

Mastaba Step Pyramid PyramidDead-end passages and false burial chambers were added to confuse tomb robbers and enemies.

When dead, the Pharaoh was expected to join other gods. The pyramids were designed to house and protect the body and treasures the king would take with him into the next life.

To an Egyptian, the destruction of the body was the most horrible form of vengence.

Temple of Amon at Karnak, Egypt

Hieroglyphics on the massive columns are carved in relief. In relief sculpture forms project from a background. High relief=forms stand out far. Low or bas relief= shallow carving.

New Kingdom builders built temples commissioned by the pharaohs. Each pharaoh would dedicate the temple to their favorite god or gods. When the Pharaoh died the temple became a funeral chapel where people brought offerings for the pharaoh's ka.

Mask of Tutankhamen1352 B.C

The Pharaohs body was mummified and placed in a

sarcophagus (stone coffin). Mummies were often fitted

with funerary masks so their ka could identify them.

http://youtu.be/OwiYnzfLUwI Dr. Zahi explains mummy recipe 3:06

Completed during which Kingdom: Old KingdomType of art: SculptureHeight: 65 Ft.Medium used: rockDepicts which pharaoh: Khafre (calf-ray)Meant to suggest: strength and courage

The Great Sphinx 2600 B.C

Wedjat Eye Amulet 18th dynasty-tomb of King Tut

Eye of Horus-symbol of protection, royal power and good health

To protect the king in the afterlife...to ward off evil.

Vulture goddess, Nekhbet, protector of upper Egypt

snake goddess, Wadjet, protector of lower Egypt

Statuette of Hippopotamus1991-1783 Middle Kingdom 4 3/8"H x 7 7/8" L Media: faience a ceramic material made of ground quartz

lotus flowers and the blue color of water suggest the hippo in it's natural environment, showing the Egyptians appreciation of the natural world.

The hippo was one of the most feared animals to the ancient Egyptians, in this life and the next. They were a hazard to small fishing boats and were frequently encountered on the waterways. This hippo was one of a pair found in a burial tomb. Three of its four legs were broken to prevent it from harming the deceased.

Temple of Ramses II 1257 B.C. solid rock, each figure 60'

Construction took 20 years. Monument to himself and his wife Queen Nefertari, also to impress and intimidate the neighboring Nubian people.

http://youtu.be/Ur-H7dP8FNc Nubian Monuments from Abu Simbel 2:59

Queen Nefertiti1360 B.C

Limestone 20"New Kingdom

One of the most copied works of Egyptian art. Most well preserved, still has the color layer intact.

http://youtu.be/Ur-H7dP8FNc Bust of Queen Nefertiti 1:33

http://youtu.be/cZuYdIRAIAs smArtHistory4:01

http://youtu.be/rOUjDIX37o4 Style of Ancient Egyptian Art 8:40

Nakht and his Wife 1425 B.C.

Larger=more important & stiff or rigid=high rank

servants are smaller and in more natural positions

Hieroglyphics-picture writing. included in paintings to help tell the story.

False Door Stela 1425 B.C. painting from the tomb of Nakht

The priests ka was expected to pass through the door in search of offerings

painted substitutes for servants are offering food and drink for the ka

tomb walls were smoothed over with plaster and painted when dried. Images are drawn along horizontal lines, much like comic strips.

Egyptian Parodies and memes