Characteristics of Ancient Egyptian Art
Architecture
monumental scale made of stone works typical
of the period: Old Kingdom-- pyramids New
Kingdom-- temples
Characteristics of Ancient Egyptian Art
Sculpture
primary subject: pharaohs and other royals, gods
relief sculpture (and painting) uses a composite view of the
body free-standing sculpture stiff, awkward poses
Characteristics of Ancient Egyptian Art
Purpose
religious or political
Name
Date
Period
Location
Medium
Palette of King Narmer
3000-2920 BCE
Predynastic
Egypt
slate
Demonstrative (1)
Political and religious purpose agenda
Innovative
birds eye view
Continuity
registers
hierarchy of scale
low relief
conceptual
Name
Date
Period
Location
Medium
Pyramids at Gizeh
2551-2472 BCE
Old Kingdom
Gizeh, Egypt
Limestone
Demonstrative
(1)
Pyramidal architecture
Name
Date
Period
Location
Medium
Menkaure and His Wife
2490-2472 BCE
Old Kingdom
Gizeh, Egypt
graywacke
Demonstrative
(3)
sculpture free standing political and
religious
Name
Date
Period
Location
Medium
Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut
1473-1458 BCE
New Kingdom
Deir El-Bahri, Egypt
stone
Demonstrative (1)
monumental building
Continuity (1)
post and lintel
Name
Date
Period
Location
Medium
Hypostyle Hall, Temple of Amen-Re
1290-1224 BCE
New Kingdom
Karnak, Egypt
stone
Demonstrative
monumental scale
Innovative
clerestory
Continuity
post and lintel construction
Characteristics of the Amarna Period
Conventions retained:
freestanding sculpture with a stiff frontal pose
relief composite view
Innovations:
curved forms, elongated and effeminate features
emotional intimacy between family members
Name
Date
Period
Location
Medium
Akhenaton
1353-1335 BCE
Amarna
Karnak, Egypt
sandstone
Demonstrative
freestanding curved forms
Continutity
idealized images
Name
Date
Period
Location
Medium
Akhenaton, Nefertiti, and Three Daughters
1353-1335 BCE
Amarna
Amarna, Egypt
limestone
Demonstrative
elongated features and figures
Continuity
presence of gods divine approval figures
shown in composite views
Name
Date
Period
Location
Medium
Mask of Tutankhamen
1321 BCE
New Kingdom
Thebes, Egypt
gold with inlay of semiprecious stones
Demonstrative
subject of the pharaoh religious purpose
Continuity
idealized portrait
Characteristics of Cycladic Art
marble sculptures-- marble abundant on the Aegean islands
human figures comprised of abstract forms, frequently nude
women
Name
Date
Period
Location
Medium
Figurine of a Woman
2600-2300 BCE
Cycladic
Syros, Cyclades
marble
Demonstrative
marble sculpture abstract woman form
Contintuity
stylized
Characteristics of Minoan Art
large palaces with complex maze-like plans advanced
living conditions walls of palaces and homes decorated with
frescos use of vibrant colors and energetic forms
common subjects: everyday life and nature
Name
Date
Period
Location
Medium
Palace of Knossos
1700-1370 BCE
Minoan
Knossos, Crete
stone
Demonstrative
maze-like plans advance living conditions
Innovative
plumbing, airshafts, light wells, heated floors
Continutity
post and lintel monumental architecture
Name
Date
Period
Location
Medium
Spring Fresco (Landscape with Swallows)
1650-1625 BCE
Minoan
Akrotiri, Thera
fresco
Demonstrative
fresco vibrant colors and forms subject is
nature
Innovative
focusing on capturing the essence of the scene
Characteristics of Mycenaean Art
fortified citadels use of large stone: cyclopean
masonry use of corbeled arch and relieving triangle to
lighten the weight carried by a lintel
Name
Date
Period
Location
Medium
Lion Gate
1300-1250 BCE
Mycenaean
Mycenae, Greece
limestone
Demonstrative
Cyclopean masonry
Innovative
corbeled arch
Continuity
post and lintel