EGYPTIAN ARCHITECTURE Form and Function

The Pyramid PHAROAHS PRIESTLY CASTE LAND OWNERS AND NOBILITY PEASANTS

Social Responsibility of the Pharaoh It’s good to be king, and GOD……. Except their RESPONSIBILITY was to keep the universe balanced and orderly!! The could be blamed droughts and famines Sometimes they responded to their obligations by creating socially beneficial public works

PREDYNATSIC MASTABAS

IMHOTEP and DJOSER First recorded name of an artist in the world Master builder for King Djoser – 3rd Dynasty (2630) Also a high priest of the sun god Re After his death deified as the son of the god Ptah

What is the medium and technique? (M) What are the facts? (F) Artist: Imohtep Patron: King Djoser Title: Stepped Pyramid of Djoser Date: 2,630 BCE Period/Style: Early Dynastic – 3rd Dynasty Size: Monumental Location / findspot: Saqqara Egypt What is the medium and technique? (M) 200 feet high Stacked stone mastabas

WHY WAS IT CREATED (CA) PHYSICAL LOCATION At Saqqara – at the necropolis of Memphis. Stands in the center of a rectangular enclosure. surrounded by a 34’ limestone wall 2. Patron – King Djoser 3. Historical Event Commissioned by Djoser in preparationn for his death and the afterlife 4. CONCEPTS AND IDEAS It is a fortified tomb – not a temple. Meant to house the deceased Pharaoh who is also considered divine Tightly regulated access (unlike Cemetary at UR – which did not have at Ur Uderground resembles a palace = continuation between the living and the afterlife WHY WAS IT CREATED (CA)

How is the structure constructed? (FA) Composed of a series of mastabas of diminishing size – enlarged twice before completion. STAIRCASE to the sky Funerary temple stands against the Northern side of the Pyramid – where priests performed daily rituals in honor of the divine Pharaoh Most of the other structures are “dummy” structures

Engaged Columns Capitals SHAFTS 3-6 Column entrance to Djoser Structural adornment and other structural elements such as columns were meant to imitate Plant forms which were transformed into temporary structures erected during the Jubille – a celebration meant to affirm the Pharaoh’s royal existence in the afterlife Columns: Papyrus, a symbol of Lower Egupt

Meaning/Function (MF) Dual function to protect the king and his possessions so that his KA may live on in the afterlife To symbolize, by its gigantic presence, his absolute and godlike power

Old Kingdom Architecture Great wealth = huge architectural programs Gizeh: 3 pyramid over 75 years = CONTINUITY What are the facts? (F) Artist: Trades People Patron: 4th Dynasty Pharaohs Title: Pyramids of Gizeh Date: 2,500 BCE Size: Monumental Location / findspot: Cairo, Egypt What is the medium and technique? (M) Stone Masonry

WHY WAS IT CREATED (CA) Physical Location Each side oriented to the cardinal points of the compass 2. Patron Pharoahs -Khufu, Khafre and Menkaure 3. Historical Events Great wealth = Continuity and building programs 4. Concepts and Ideas Rise of the cult of RE – sun god Pyramid becomes the symbol of the sun god The son’s rays are believed to be the ladder to heaven The Pyramids were where the king was reborn just as the sun is reborn each day

How is the structure constructed? (FA) Smooth surfaces = rays of the son Aligned with cardinal points Temples are now on the east side facing the rising sun = symbol of rebirth in afterlife Smaller pyramid structures are for Queens Court members buried in adjacent mastabas = prize place in afterlife Meaning/Function Multi-building complex is not just a funerary tomb but a palace for the afterlife

Khufu’s Pyramid

Boats for the afterlife Khufu’s mortuary complex also included seven large boat pits.  Five of these are located to the east of the pyramid and were a sort of model; these brick-lined boat shaped elements were probably intended for use in the afterlife to transport the king to stellar destinations. In addition to these model boat pits, however, on the south side of the pyramid Khufu had two massive,  rectangular stone lined pits that contained completely disassembled boats.  These boats appear to have been used for the funerary procession and as ritual objects connected to the last earthly voyage of the king, and were then dismantled and interred.

Pop Quiz What are the facts? (F) Artist: Trades Person Patron: Khafre, Pharaoh Title: Khafre enthroned Date: 2,520 BCE Period/Style: Old Kingdom Size: 5’ 6” Location / findspot: Pyramids of Gizeh, Pharaoh’s Valley temple

What are the facts? (F) Artist: Trades People Patron: 4th Dynasty Pharaoh Khafre Title: Great Sphinx Date: 2,500 BCE Size: Monumental Location / findspot: Gizeh Pyramids, Cairo, Egypt What is the medium and technique? (M) Carved bedrock

What is the artworks content / subject matter? (SM) Portrait of Khafre with a lions body

WHY WAS IT CREATED (CA) PHYSICAL LOCATION Beside the Causeway and adjacent to the king’s Valley temple = dominates the entrance 2. Patron Khafre 3. CONCEPTS AND IDEAS The Sphinx is associated was associated with the sun god as a symbol of the horizon RE has become the central god for 4th dynasty Pharoahs Lions symbolize fearsome strength, king of beats MEANING / FUNCTION (MF) Communicates that the Pharaoah commands human intelligence as well as the fearsome strength of and authority of the king of the beasts

How is the subject matter visually represented How is the subject matter visually represented? How do the visual qualities support the function? (FA) Formal headdress and beard Still body and compact posture No movement signifying stability and eternity Intimidating size