1.
Be able to explain
what this sculpture represents (what is going on; who is who and why, what gestures are revealing)
how the size relates to the purpose of the sculpture

2. Be able to explain
the function (purpose) of this sculpture
what is “going on” with the legs
why the hippo is blue instead of gray
why the hippo has “tattoos”

3. Think about what we discussed last class. Now, study this wall painting. What do you now realize about: 1. scale, 2. point-of-view, and 3. how the body is represented?
What else might be significant?

4. What three signifiers do you notice?
What do these signifiers communicate?
Guiding Questions for the Art of Ancient Egypt
How does the Nile River affect the art that is produced? What role does this river play?
How does death affect the art that is produced? What role does the after-life play?
Are common people depicted using a different visual vocabulary than the pharaohs?
How is the body represented?
How do hieroglyphics work?
Rosetta Stone
Ancient Greek
Demotic (language of the people)
Hieroglyphics
What is a cartouche?
Amun
Aten

5. What is the title of this structure?
What is the function of this structure?
What does this structure signify? How?

6. Some Facts About Egyptian Beliefs
Egypt’s rulers were divine kings, sons of the sun god, Ra (or Re).
Egyptians considered their kings to be their link to the invisible gods of the universe.
The ka—life force or spirit—lived on after the death of the body.

7. (Old Kingdom) What is this man’s job?
Seated Scribe c BCE
(Old Kingdom) What is this man’s job?
How can you tell?
Why is this representation more naturalistic?
What does the slight layer of fat around this man’s middle signify?
What was the intended purpose of this statue?
What is this man’s job?
How can you tell?
Why is this representation more naturalistic?
What was the intended purpose of this statue?

8. 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.
Details: The three girl-children are all unclothed: two with shaved heads; one with a single pigtail. Note the drapery that follows the curves.
Note Akhenaten’s “realistic” portrayal. He only reigned for fifteen years….

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

10. Where is Hunefer? How many times do you see him?
Judgment before Osiris from a Book of the Dead Dynasty 19, c BCE Can you explain to us what is happening?
Where is Hunefer? How many times do you see him?
Who is Anubis? Does he appear more than once? Toth? Ammit? Horus? Osiris? Nephthys and Isis?? Who are the four little persons perched on the top of the lotus blossom?
Is this a “Last Judgment” image?

11. 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 BCE). Cleopatra was the last ruler of this dynasty. After her death, the Romans took over and used Egypt as it “breadbasket” and granary.