Ancient Egyptian Art

Egyptian Architecture – The Pyramids What were the purpose of the pyramids?

Purpose of Pyramids To glorify the Pharaoh To offer an impressive resting place To protect the Pharaoh’s body and riches from treasure hunters.

Used as a tomb for the Pharaoh

Step Pyramid of King Zoser, Saqqara, Egypt This is one of the earliest pyramids constructed. It is made up of a series of MASTABAS. Mastaba: a low, flat tomb.

PYRAMIDS OF GIZA Ancient Egyptian: 2000 BC Each brick weighs 2.5 tonnes 2 million bricks for each pyramid Took 23 years to construct one pyramid

The Great Sphinx

The Great Sphinx The Sphinx is a 65 foot high figure carved from the rocky ledge. The Sphinx is composed of the body of a LION with the head of a PHARAOH. The purpose of the Sphinx was to be the protector/the guardian of the Pharaoh and the Pyramids

Egyptian Sculpture & Painting Within the pyramids were sculptures and paintings. Many of these treasures have survived centuries.

Stylized Art Egyptian Art and sculpture is often described as being stylized. Stylized: the simplification of forms found in nature to present a more decorative feeling in Artwork

Mycerinus and his Queen (2470 BCE) IDEALIZED image of the Pharaoh Mycerinus One leg forward, arms stiff at the sides. Few breakable parts and no holes in-between figures Queen embraces him in traditional form of care and respect

The Body in Ancient Egypt - Video

Queen Nefertiti (1360 BCE) Queen Nefertiti was the wife of Akhenaten. He changed the strict rules of Egyptian art and allowed more freedom and realism for the artists during his time. He allowed artists to practice naturalism- artwork created through more direct observation of the image/figure (more accurate) Painted limestone sculptures became common

Queen Nefertiti (1360 BCE) Type: Sculpture Idealized (Egyptian belief of female beauty) Long slender neck Dark outline around her eyes Very refined facial features and bone structure Looks very natural

DAUGHTERS OF AKHENATEN (ah-keen-a-ten) Ancient Egyptian Art: 1350-1375 BC Type: Painting Painted on a wall Bodies are more curved Have a more natural and relaxing pose than “Mycerinus” statue Heads are elongated (Armana style) Pharaoh Akhenaten changed the rigid art style during his rule

Gold Mask of Tutankhamen (1340 BCE) – King Tut Despite having a very short reign as a Pharaoh, (dying at the age of 18), King Tut is very well known today. His tomb was found intact after being sealed for more than 3000 years Gold coffin weighed 250 lbs King at 9 years old, died at 18

Gold Mask of Tutankhamen (1340 BCE)

Wall Paintings The tombs of important wealthy people were decorated with wall paintings that told a story of their life Egyptian Wall paintings were created using the fresco technique. A fresco is a method of painting in which the pigment is applied directly into the wet plaster of the wall.

Wall Paintings (continued) Figures and animals were carefully arranged in series of horizontal straight lines Arranged to tell a story of the deceased Coloured using rich red and yellow hues with black, and blue-green for contrast No shading was used making figures look flat

Examples of Wall Paintings

Descriptive Perspective When the most important figures are drawn larger than the other figures

Egyptian Hieroglyphs An early form of picture writing These symbols, some of which represented objects, communicated information and were included in wall paintings and other art forms to help tell the story. The signs were spaced to form attractive patterns in squares or rectangles.

Example of Hieroglyphs

Egyptian Hieroglyphs

Cartouche The Egyptians often had a “Cartouche” which was a hieroglyphic nameplate or seal. The basic shape of an oval boarder that is said to symbolize “all that the sun encircles”, alluding to the power of the Pharoah and the universe.

Examples of a Cartouche

YOUR TASK In your sketchbook, create your own “Cartouche” using your name.