The Art of Ancient Egypt

Some Facts About Egyptian Beliefs Egypt’s rulers were divine kings, sons of the sun god, Ra (or Re). These sons (the rulers) rejoined their father, Ra, at death and rode with him in the solar boat as it made its daily journey across the sky. Egyptians considered their kings to be their link to the invisible gods of the universe. Temples were built to please the gods; statues of the gods were placed deep in the innermost rooms of their temples; these statues were dressed in fresh clothing each day and were fed twice a day. The ka—life force or spirit—lived on after the death of the body.

Ancient Egyptian columns were based on stylized plant forms.

papyrus blossom capital (left); lotus flower column (right)

What is this man’s job? How can you tell? Why is this representation more naturalistic? What was the intended purpose of this statue?

Hatshepsut as Sphinx, Dynasty 18, c. 1473-1458 BCE What is especially significant about this sphinx? Can you link this image to a history painting like David’s Napoleon crossing the Saint Bernard (1801)? Hatshepsut as Sphinx, Dynasty 18, c. 1473-1458 BCE

Temple of Rameses II Dynasty 19, c. 1279-1213

Temple of Rameses II Dynasty 19, c. 1279-1213

And his mummified remains…. Detail of the Colossal statue of Rameses II in his temple complex at Luxor Dynasty 19, c. 1279-1213 And his mummified remains….

Akhenaten and His Family Dynasty 18, c. 1352-1336 BCE Can you read this image symbolically? Akhenaten believed in one god—the sun god. The sun god—Aten--is blessing Nefertiti and Akhenaten by holding ankhs to their nostrils (the symbol of eternal life). Was Nefertiti a co-ruler? The stylized plant symbol of a unified Egypt at the base of her cushioned throne. Three girls children-all unclothed. Two with shaved heads; one with the single pigtail…. Note Akhenaten “realistic” portrayal….he only reigned for fifteen years…. Akhenaten and His Family Dynasty 18, c. 1352-1336 BCE

Akhenaten Dynasty 18, c. 1352-1336 BCE Interesting, don’t you think? Akhenaten Dynasty 18, c. 1352-1336 BCE

Akhenaten Sacrificing a Duck Dynasty 18, c. 1352-1336 BCE

Nefertiti Thutmose Dynasty 18, c. 1352-1336 BCE painted limestone What did Stokstad suggest was the purpose of this bust? Nefertiti Thutmose Dynasty 18, c. 1352-1336 BCE painted limestone

Akhenaten’s mother: Queen Tiy Dynasty 18 c. 1352 BCE

Funerary mask of Tutankhamum Dynasty 18, c. 1327 BCE Why the dark, kohl-rimmed eyes? What does the beard signify? Funerary mask of Tutankhamum Dynasty 18, c. 1327 BCE

Tutankhamum Dynasty 18, c. 1327 BCE On the left, a forensic recreation of what he may have looked like; on the right, his mummified head.

Who is the “man” with the jackal’s head Who is the “man” with the jackal’s head? Anubis—the overseer of funerals and cemeteries Who is the man in the far right wearing the crown? Osiris What are some of the pictorial conventions you notice? (feet, side view of legs but twisted shoulders and chest; eyes….) Note: servants are depicted more “naturally.”

Anubis

Which one is Anubis? (the one with the jackal head) Which one is Thoth? (the one with the ibis head) Which one is Ammit—the eater of the dead?

Judgment before Osiris from a Book of the Dead Dynasty 19, c. 1285 BCE

What is the purpose of this art object?

Fayum portraits: painted faces on panels inserted into mummies. Note the influence of the Greek and Roman classical art; Egypt was conquered in 332 BCE by the Macedonian Greeks under Alexander the Great. The Greek ruler, Ptolemy, took over Egypt after Alexander the Great’s death and started the Ptolemaic Dynasty (c. 305-30 BCE). Cleopatra was the last ruler of this dynasty. Afte rher death, the Romans took over and used Egypt as it “breadbasket” and granary. Fayum portraits: painted faces on panels inserted into mummies.

Fayum portraits: painted faces on panels inserted into mummies.