Art and Craftsmanship in Ancient Egypt

Arts and crafts were very important to ancient Egypt.

Skilled craftsmen were responsible for creating and decorating temples, and the tombs and houses of the wealthy; they enjoyed many privileges.

Artists and crafts people created paintings, sculptures, weavings, and other forms of artistic expression.

Craftspeople such as carpenters and metalworkers formed an important class; though they were considered a step below the artists.

Artists used mineral pigments to create paints. After painting the walls, a wash of snake venom or egg white would be painted over the colours to protect them from rain, wind, sand, and other elements.

Most of the artwork created by ancient Egyptians was about their religion.

Minerals use to create colours are: blue (azurite), red (iron oxide), green (malachite), white (sandstone, calcium), black (charcoal), and yellow (ochre).

Detailed scenes were painted on the walls and tombs of the pharaohs and nobles. It is from these images that we learn about ancient Egypt.

Dancing and music were important to daily life in Egypt.

Banquets and private celebrations had troupes of professional singers, dancers, acrobats, and musicians. Also, ritual dances were performed as part of funerals and burial ceremonies.

Ancient Egyptians had string, wind, and percussion instruments. Castanets and rattles known as sistra were used to keep rhythm.