Egyptian Art

Nile River -Nile River flooded every summer -Deposited layers of fresh fertile soil  transition from food gatherers to food producers (farmers)

Egyptians relied more on animals they raised than animals they hunted. They no longer had to move, resulting in building more permanent houses, villages, and kingdoms.

Pharaoh most powerful person in ancient Egypt political and religious leader of the Egyptian people

After-Life Beliefs Ka (=soul) leaves body at death, then returns If body is destroyed  ka (soul) is left wandering SO, Egyptians went to great lengths to preserve bodies (strong tomb=insurance against final death) Grave goods (such as small clay sculptures) made to be buried with Pharaohs in their tombs (to comfort them in their afterlife)

Sculptures Relief sculptures: stylized Frontal position Rigid bodies intended to be viewed from one side carved from a flat tablet/plaque Sculptures

Early form of picture writing Hieroglyphics Early form of picture writing

Old Kingdom The beginning…

Pyramid elaborate tomb for pharaoh Sarcophagus: Stone Coffin

Paintings Parts of body shown from the most familiar point of view Eyes & shoulders were depicted from the front Face, arms and legs shown from the side Paintings on the walls of the pyramids, used descriptive perspective: more important figures were drawn larger than others

built the first step pyramid (2600 bce) Imhotep first known artist built the first step pyramid (2600 bce)

Great Sphinx body of a Lion and the head of the great Pharaoh Khafre

Middle Kingdom

Tomb Transitions Pyramids were expensive so transitioned to building mastabas Mastaba: low flat tomb

Skill of Middle Kingdom artists King Sesotris III Skill of Middle Kingdom artists Realism Compare the Expression of this sculpture compared to portrait of Khafre in Old Kingdom

New Kingdom

Hidden Tombs The Valley of the Kings: Burial place for the pharaohs of the new Kingdom