The Art of Ancient Egypt Chapter Seven The Art of Ancient Egypt
Vocabulary Words Pharaoh Dynasty Sarcophagus Mastaba Obelisk
Egyptian Civilization 5000 BC people settled in the fertile valley of the Nile River
Early Inhabitants Yearly flooding of the Nile River brought fertile soil to the region Farming production arose as a result
Formation of Kingdoms Increase in settlement Increase in population Growth of villages and towns (ruled by a Pharoah)
Periods in Egyptian History Old Kingdom (3100 BC) Middle Kingdom (2050 BC) New Kingdom (1570 BC)
Old Kingdom Pharaoh Menes united Upper and Lower Egypt in 3100 BC Established capital at Memphis Rule was overthrown with the rise of independent nobles
Middle Kingdom Nobles took control of Thebes (city on the Nile River) Unified Egypt
Middle Kingdom Time of law, order, and prosperity in Egypt Pharaoh not as powerful as during the Old Kingdom Defeated by the Hyksos who fought with horse and chariot while Egyptians battled on foot
New Kingdom Pharaoh Amenhotep III reached the peak of power and influence Thebes: royal capital
New Kingdom Amenhotep IV tried to break with traditions: Changed religion to no longer recognize many gods to one (Aton)
Decline of Egypt Conquered by Alexander the Great of Macedonia Finally in 30 BC was made into a province of Rome
The Pyramids Design: Built on almost perfectly square ground plan Base was greater than height Wider than it was taller
Pyramids as Tombs Built to house the pharaoh and his treasures during the next life (after life)
Pharaoh’s Treasures Sarcophagus: A stone coffin
Evolution of the Pyramid Shape Shaped gradually developed: Shallow pit Mastaba: a low, flat tomb Pyramid
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Egyptian Sculpture and Painting The Great Sphinx Old Kingdom Carved rock Presents the pharaoh’s head on the body of a lion
Portrait of Khafre Seated portrait Solid, block-like form Carved from diorite Solid, block-like form Body appears rigid (stiff)
Destruction Middle Kingdom destroyed by Hyksos Therefore, much of the artwork from the Middle Kingdom was destroyed
Portrait of King Sesostris Skill demonstrated in realistic rendering of facial features Skill in sensitivity
Rules of Egyptian Art Every part of the body must be shown from the most familiar point of view Head, arms, legs, and feet shown in profile Eyes and shoulders presented from the front Rules caused the bodies to look distorted and unnatural
Rules of Egyptian Art Egyptians were greatly concerned with life after death Paintings = substitute for the body after death Complete image = vital
Art in Egyptian Tombs Important in tombs Very colorful
Portrait of Nakht New Kingdom Stiff and solemn Pose fitting for rank
Hieroglyphics An early form of picture writing Symbols which communicated information