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EGYPTIAN ARTEgyptian culture developed along the banks of the
Nile river more than 3000 B.C.Religion influenced every part of
Egyptian life.Pharaohs or Egyptian rulers were worshiped as gods
and pyramids were built as tombs.Egyptians believed in life after
death and preserved bodies using mumification.Cultural Snippet
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Hieroglyphics & Painting Sculpture & Architecture
PotteryJewelry
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Characteristics of Ancient Egyptian Artheavily influenced by
everyday life, especially religion and life after death
not focused on exact replication, just representations
all art looked similar to preserve a sense of stability amongst
the people
The Egyptians strictly upheld the style of frontalism, adhering
carefully to stylistic rules
the subject's head is always drawn in profile with the full eye
shown
The upper body is depicted from the front and the legs face in
the same direction as the head with one foot in front of the
other
The person in the picture sits or stands stiff and rigid in a
formal posture, but the face is calm and usually slightly tilted
toward the sky.
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Stele of Nefertiabet From Giza c. 2590 BC (4th Dynasty) Painted
limestone H 37.5 m; W 52.5 m
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Besides pyramids and sphinxes, the Egyptians are known for
hieroglyphics, or a form of picture writing. Hieroglyphics use
small pictures which represent different words, actions, or ideas.
Many ancient Egyptian paintings have survived due to Egypt's
extremely dry climate. The paintings were often made with the
intent of making a pleasant afterlife for the deceased. The themes
included journey through the afterworld or protective deities
introducing the deceased to the gods of the underworld (such as
Osiris).Some tomb paintings show activities that the deceased were
involved in when they were alive and wished to carry on doing for
eternity.Some hieroglyphs were also painted relief sculptures
Hieroglyphics and PaintingWall painting of Nefertari
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Egypt West Bank Tombs
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Ancient Egyptian ArchitectureScant tree growth prevented the
extensive use of wood as a building material.
Both sun-dried and kiln-dried bricks were used extensively. Fine
sandstone, limestone, and granite were available for obelisks,
sculpture, and decorative uses. All dwelling houses, built of
timber or of sun-baked bricks, have disappeared
Only temples and tombs have survived. Their walls were immensely
thick and built using durable materials like stone The belief in
existence beyond death (reincarnation) resulted in existing
architecture of utmost impressiveness and permanence.
Even during periods of foreign rule, Egyptian architecture clung
to its native characteristics, adopting almost no elements or
influence from other cultures.
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Egypt, El Giza, Great Pyramid also known as "Pyramid of Cheops"
or "Khufu's Pyramid" 2600-2480 BCE, The base of the pyramid covers
about 13 acres. To build the Great Pyramid it took an about
2,300,000 dressed stone blocks (averaging 2.5 tons each) -- more
than any other structure ever built. The blocks were moved on log
rollers and sledges, and then ramped into place.
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Photo, overview of the Sphinx
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The Sphinx is another example of a Pharaoh (Khafre)
demonstrating his power.The massive size and the head of Pharaoh
Khafre on the body of a lion was intended to demonstrate the power
of the pharaoh.Carved from stone at the site and stands at 65 feet
tall.Pharaoh Khafre, c. 2600 B.C. Diorite. 66 inches tall.
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Of the materials used by the Egyptian, stone was the most
plentiful and permanent
Sculpture was often painted in vivid hues as well
Cubic and frontal- echoes in its form the shape of the stone
cube or block from which it was fashioned,
The front of almost every statue is the most important part and
the figure sits or stands facing strictly to the front Ancient
Egyptian SculptureStatues in the round usually depicted the gods,
Pharaohs, or civic officials, and were composed with special
reference to the maintenance of straight linesSculpture In the
RoundBust of Nefertiti
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Seated Scribe Seated ManSebek em hat
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The Large Sphinx Found at Tanis Pink granite
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Virtually all the wall-sculptures of the Ancient Egyptian Empire
are in the form of bas-relief (low-relief)
Relief-composition merely meant arranging the figures in
horizontal lines so as to record an event or represent an
action.
The principal figures were distinguished from others by their
size - gods were shown larger than men, kings larger than their
followers, and the dead larger than the living. Relief
Sculpture
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Ancient Egyptian PotteryPottery was used by the ancient
Egyptians in much the same way we use modern kitchen containers or
plastic,
Two distinct Types
Nile silt ware - Nile clay. After being fired, it has a
red-brown color. This type of pottery was used for common,
utilitarian purposes, though at times it might have been decorated
or painted. Blue painted pottery was somewhat common during the New
Kingdom (1,550-1,069 BC). Marl Clay made from material found around
Qena in Upper Egypt. This type of pottery was usually thought
superior to the common Nile mud pottery, and so it was often used
for decorative and other functions.
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Egyptian, Burial Mask of King Tutankhamen, gold and inlaid
stones, Cairo Museum, Egypt.
Ancient Egyptian Funerary Masks & Coffins and Jewelry
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Canopic Jars
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The ancient Egyptians placed great importance on the religious
significance of certain sacred objects, which was heavily reflected
in their jewelry motifs19th Dynasty inlaid diadem, or wig
Tutanhkamun lapis scarabTutanhkamun pendant
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Ancient Egyptian Style of Art - Why it remained unchanged for
over 3000 years. Video Presentation: :
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Art of EgyptFound out more on Ancient Egyptian Art using these
links:The British Museum Ancient Egyptian Exhibition Ancient
Egyptian Civilization