AP Art History

AP Art History

Egyptian Art

INTRODUCTION: The pyramids and sphinx of Egypt represent monuments that were built by a people who dominated Mid Eastern life for thousands of years.




CHRONOLOGY:Three major periods of Egyptian history

  • Old Kingdom 2670-2150 BCE
  • Middle Kingdom 2150-1800 BCE
  • New Kingdom 1550-1070 BCE (includes Amarna period-1370-1350 BCE)

    Old Kingdom

    Prior to the emergence of the Old Kingdom, there exixted a Pre-dynastic period in Egypt. The Pre-dynastic period lasted from 4350-3150 BCE. It was a time of social and political transition. Finally in 3150, under the leadership of Menes, Upper and Lower Egypt were united as one kingdom. From this time on, pharaoh's (single rulers from the same family or dynsaty) ruled Egypt as absolute kings who received their powers from the gods.

    It was during the Old Kingdom, that the traditions and standards of Egyptian art were established. Rules of construction and composition were established between Dynasty III and IV.

  • Palette of Narmer Dynasty I, (fig. 3-4), c3150-3125 BCE

    ARCHITECTURE-One of the most important figures in Egyptian architecture was Imhotep, chancelor and court architect under Djoser (second ruler: Dynasty III). During the Early Dynastic period, funerary rites became an essential part of Egyptian culture. In keeping with this, the Egyptians created elaborate structures to help protect and preserve the bodies of the dead.

    Mastabas, flat topped, one-story buildings were first erected above underground burial chambers. Mastabas were replaced during Dynasty III and IV to create elaborate and expensive pyramids to house their remains.

  • Stepped Pyramid of Djoser Dynasty 3, (fig. 3-8), c2681-2662 BCE
  • Wall of North Palace, w/ engaged columns, Dynasty 3 (fig.3-9), c2681-2662
  • Great Pyramids Dynasty 4, (fig. 3-10), c2601-2515 BCE
  • Great Sphinx Dynasty 4, (fig. 3-14), c2570-2544 BCE

    SCULPTURE-Sculpted statues of themselves were very important to the pharaohs as a means of perpetuating their memories and protecting their "ka". All early Egyptian sculpture is characterized by (1) compactness (2) symmetry of form and (3) its block-like shape

  • Khafre Dynasty 3, (fig. 3-13), c2570-2544 BCE
  • Menkaure and His Wife Dynasty 4, (fig. 3-15), c2515 BCE
  • Seated Scribe Dynasty 5, (fig. 3-17), c2510-2460 BCE

    RELIEF SCULPTURE & PAINTING-Relief sculpture and painting were two ways used to decorate the interior walls of the tombs and create pleasant eternal living quarters for the deceased's "ka".

    Middle Kingdom

    One hundred years of political disorder followed the end of the Sixth Dynasty. regional overlords struggled for power and were too weak to protect the empire from invaders from Western Asia.

    ARCHITECTURE-The architecture of the period was on a much smaller scale than that of the Ols Kingdom. Pharaohs still wanted pyramids but lacked the funds and social stability to accomplish the task of building on such a grand scale. Tombs became much smaller, cut from rock, with the only access via a steep rampway.

  • Rock cut Tomb of Amenemhet Dynasty 12, (fig.3-21), c1991-1785 BCE

    SCULPTURE-Due to the division of power, two schools of representation emerged. In the north, artists copied the idealized images found within the grand tombs of Old Kingdom pharaohs. In the south, artists did not have these images to copy.Their royal statues display a movement towards a more natural imagery.

  • Senwosret Dynasty 12, (fig. 3-24), c1878-1842 BCE
  • Portrait of Sesostris III Dynasty 12, c1875-1825 BCE

    New Kingdom

    True order and stability was not re-established until Dynasty 18. With the new era of peace and prosperity came a return to the construction of large temple complexes.The rulers of Dynasties 18-20 built more architectural and sculptural monuments than all of the other dynastic periods combined. The majority of the construction took place around the capital city of Thebes. During Dynasty 18 there was a radical change in the traditional Egyptian culture. This challenge came during the reign of Amenhotep IV, who questioned the power of the priest class and introduced the new form of religion closely associated with the sun-disk god, Aten. Amenhotep changed his name to Akhenaten and moved the capital to Tell-el-Amarna.




    ARCHITECTURE-New Kingdom architecture was built on a monumental scale. The temple became the most representative of the Egyptian buildings, due to the tremendous power of the priest class. The classic New Kingdom temple had seven elements, all arranged on the same axis.Entry into the various rooms of the temple was based upon social class.

  • Great Temple of Amun Dynasty 19, (fig. 3-30), c1294-1212 BCE
  • Temple of Amun, Pylon of Ramesses II Dynasty 19, (fig. 3-31), c1279-1212 BCE
  • Temples of Ramesses II and Nefertari Dynasty 19, (fig. 3-35), c1279-1212 BCE
  • Funerary Temple of Hatshepsut, Deir el-Bahri, Dynasty 20, (fig. 3-33), c2009-1997 BCE

    SCULPTURE & PAINTING-Sculptural monuments to the pharaohs, designed as simplified cubic blocks became very popular during the New Kingdom. The shape of the cube emphasized the belief that the "ka" could find an eternal home within the block statue portraits. Wall paintings also continued in the traditions established in earlier kingdoms.

  • Senmut with Princess Nefrua Dynasty 18, c1490-1460 BCE

    AKHENATON AND THE AMARNA PERIOD

    Amenhotep IV came to the throne in 1352 BCE. During his seventeen year reign, the traditional Egyptian culture was challenged to its very roots. Amenhotep Iv founded a new religion that no longer honored many gods, but focused on honoring a single supreme being, Aten, the sun-disk god. Amenhotep IV changed his name in 1348 BCE to Akhenaten and moved the capital from Thebes, north to Akhetaten (modern name Tell-el-Amarna). In addition to changing the social and religious nature of the civilization, a new style of art will characterize the Amarna Period.

    The art of the Amarna Period will reflect a new more naturalistic approach in the rendering of the human figure.Artists will instill a new sense of life in their reliefs, wall paintings, statuary,

  • Akhenaten and His Family Dynasty 18, (fig. 3-36), 1348-1336/5 BCE
  • Queen Tiy Dynasty 18, (fig. 3-37), c1390-1352 BCE
  • Queen Nefertiti Dynasty 18, (fig. 3-38) c1348-1336

    TUTANKHAMEN AND THE POST-AMARNA PERIOD

    The discovery of the tomb of King Tutankhamen in 1922 has told archaeologists and art historians more about the Amarna style than any other source. Perhaps the greatest aspect of the tomb's discovery was the young king's royal mummy that was placed in the inner most chamber of three nesting coffins. The mummy's actual coffin was made of one quarter ton of gold, inlaid with precious stones.


  • Innermost Coffin of King Tutankhamen Dynasty 18, (fig. 3-40), c1325 BCE
  • Death Mask of Tutankhamen Dynasty 18, (fig. 3-41), c1325 BCE
  • Painted Chest Dynasty 18, (fig. 3-42), c1325 BCE

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