PowerPoint Presentation

Ancient Egyptian Art

Egyptian Architecture The PyramidsWhat were the purpose of the pyramids?

Purpose of PyramidsTo glorify the Pharaoh

To offer an impressive resting place

To protect the Pharaohs body and riches from treasure hunters.

Used as a tomb for the Pharaoh

Step Pyramid of King Zoser, Saqqara, EgyptThis is one of the earliest pyramids constructed. It is made up of a series of MASTABAS.

Mastaba: a low, flat tomb.

PYRAMIDS OF GIZAAncient Egyptian: 2000 BC

Each brick weighs 2.5 tonnes2 million bricks for each pyramidTook 23 years to construct one pyramidThe Great Sphinx

The Great SphinxThe 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 & PaintingWithin the pyramids were sculptures and paintings. Many of these treasures have survived centuries.

Stylized ArtEgyptian 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: SculptureIdealized (Egyptian belief of female beauty)Long slender neckDark outline around her eyesVery refined facial features and bone structureLooks very natural

DAUGHTERS OF AKHENATEN (ah-keen-a-ten)Ancient Egyptian Art: 1350-1375 BCType: PaintingPainted on a wallBodies are more curvedHave a more natural and relaxing pose than Mycerinus statueHeads are elongated (Armana style)Pharaoh Akhenaten changed the rigid art style during his rule

Gold Mask of Tutankhamen (1340 BCE) King TutDespite 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 yearsGold coffin weighed 250 lbsKing at 9 years old, died at 18

Gold Mask of Tutankhamen (1340 BCE)

Wall PaintingsThe 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 deceasedColoured using rich red and yellow hues with black, and blue-green for contrastNo shading was used making figures look flat

Examples of Wall Paintings

Descriptive PerspectiveWhen the most important figures are drawn larger than the other figures

Egyptian HieroglyphsAn 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 HieroglyphsCartoucheThe 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 TASKIn your sketchbook, create your own Cartouche using your name.