Ancient Egyptian Art Ancient Egyptian Art

Remember: You will receive a grade on your notes for the presentation as well as the test grade. Tutankhamun coffin 1352 BC Art History test: Thursday, Nov 15th

Ancient Egyptian Art LessonObjective Ancient Egyptian art forms the basis for the artwork we do today. They are the one of the first noted societies to develop complex artwork. The art and architecture of this long-lasting civilization still influence our arts in this day and age. You will learn vocabulary important to this time period. You will learn about Egyptian art innovations and how they influence modern art forms. You will view several pieces of Egyptian art and learn to identify the Egyptian art characteristics.

Vocabulary for Book: Hieroglyphic Stele Pharaoh Papyrus Scribe Silt Polytheistic Noted Ancient Egyptian Artist: Imhotep

Located in the Nile river valley Civilization developed by about 3,000 BC Geography

Protected from invaders by: mountains to the south vast deserts on both sides Mediterranean Sea to the north Geography

Geography This location kept Egypt separate from the rest of the world, so the Egyptians had a unique and enduring style of life and art for about 3,000 years.

Geography The Nile River provided them with the means for great sources of income through farming and local trade. They had the time and money to create lasting artwork. Every year, the Nile river flooded. When the waters receded, SILT (very rich soil) was left behind which richly fertilized the crops, giving the Ancient Egyptians lots of income for their efforts.

Religion was the basis for most of the artwork of Ancient Egypt. Hieroglyphics in tombs depicted spells to guide the departed soul to the afterlife. Cats were sacred in their religion, so their cats were mummified. Great temples were built to honor the gods – of which there were at least 115 – each in charge of a different aspect of life. Ancient Egyptian Art & Religion POLYTHEISTIC They were POLYTHEISTIC – They worshipped many gods

Communities were made up of: Hunters and fishermen Soldiers Slaves Priests Scribes Artists and craftsmen Farmers and herdsmen Fishing Scene Tomb of Kenamun About 1430 BC People

People Artists, craftsmen and scribes were honored and admired. A SCRIBE is a scholar who could read and write. Scribes wrote on papyrus. PAPYRUS is a reed pounded to make a heavy type of paper. Seated Scribe Painted Limestone About 2500 BC

The leader was called a PHARAOH. PHARAOH The PHARAOH was believed to be half man, half god. The afterlife of the pharaoh is an important theme in ancient Egyptian art. People

Today’s most well-known mummy was a young Pharaoh known as King Tutankhamun. He was 19 years old when he died, but he had been preparing for his death since the time he first took the throne. His tomb was the most intact tomb ever excavated, providing an invaluable look at Ancient Egypt. Modern scientists recently did a cat scan of the mummy revealing even more details of life in Ancient Egypt. Video of preparation for CT Scan Video of preparation for CT Scan King Tutankhamun

Contributions Made bricks Used sails on the water Used wheels on land Harnessed animals for work Trained donkeys to carry people Combined copper and tin to make bronze Forged tools from copper. Egyptian Boat The Ancient Egyptians:

They also used HIEROGLYPHICS. Hieroglyphics Hieroglyphics are an early form of picture writing. Contributions

Architecture The greatest architectural achievements of the Ancient Egyptians were the pyramids. Pyramids were built as tombs for the pharaohs. They contained the items that the Egyptians believed that the Pharaoh would need in the afterlife. Much of the art that remains was preserved in the pyramids.

The first pyramid was built for King Zoser. It was a “step pyramid”. It was designed and built by an artist and architect named IMHOTEP. Imhotep is the first artist whose name is recorded in history. This pyramid was built about 2600 BC. Architecture

The three “great pyramids” are located at Giza. Each tomb houses ONE pharoah only. The pyramid structure is still used in architecture today. Architecture

They are guarded by the Great Sphinx. The sphinx is carved from a rocky ledge. It was damaged by Muslim vandalism and sand and wind. Architecture

The ancient Egyptians also built beautiful temples to honor the gods. Architecture

Mummies The pyramids and tombs contained the mummified remains of the pharaohs. The ancient Egyptians believed that the soul (called the Ka) would need to use the body in the afterlife, so the bodies were carefully preserved. Many items in the tombs were left there to be used by the Ka in the afterlife.

These are the mummified remains of a pharaoh named Ramses II. Mummies

After embalming, mummies were carefully wrapped in yards of linen bandages. Mummies

The ancient Egyptians even mummified animals. Mummies

Sculpture Painted relief sculpture lined the walls of pyramids. This is called a STELE. A stele is a carved upright stone slab used as a monument.

This stele shows Ramses II slaying his enemies. Sculpture

Notice that the sculptures are stiff, formal, and stylized. Sculpture

Heads face forward, and the left foot is slightly ahead of the right. There are no open spaces in the stone that the figures are carved from. - This allows the figures to stand without falling over. The civilization of Ancient Greece introduced freestanding figures. Sculpture

Artists used materials found in the Nile river valley. They were: Gold Turquoise Lapis Lazuli Red coral Glass Sculpture

This gold mask rested on the head of the mummy of King Tutankhaman. Sculpture

Notice how Ramses II faces forward. He appears to be very rigid. This is typical of ancient Egyptian sculpture. Sculpture

Not all of their artwork is like this however; this sculpture of Queen Nefertiti is much more relaxed and graceful than most ancient Egyptian sculpture. Sculpture

Painting Ancient Egyptians followed a very strict set of rules in their art. One of these rules was to show the human body from the most familiar or visible angle.

Again, the figures appear to be rigid and stylized. Notice the left foot and body posture. Painting