Ancient Egyptian Art
Ancient Egyptian art served a functional, religious, and political purpose, not just an aesthetic one. Created over 3,000 years ago, its core principles centered on permanence and order. Artists followed a strict canon that dictated a specific style, including the composite view (a mix of profile and frontal perspectives), a hierarchical scale where size denoted importance, and a rich use of symbolism and color to convey deeper meaning rather than realism.
Major forms of art included tomb paintings and reliefs, which were created to assist the deceased’s journey into the afterlife, and sculptures of gods and pharaohs, which provided a physical home for the spirit (ka). Architecture was also a key art form, with pyramids and temples built from massive stone to last for eternity. The overall goal of this art was to reinforce divine order (Ma’at), serve the needs of the afterlife, and act as a historical record of events and rulers.
Ancient Egyptian Art Facts
Ancient Egyptian art was incredibly solid. It adhered to divine principles that craftsmen never violated. A head artisan monitored and regulated every detail before completing a work. Ancient Egyptian art was also one-dimensional. For example, it consistently showed a face from the side, while the eyes and shoulders were displayed from the front, and the torso was again shown from the side.
The craftsmen, on the other hand, made certain to exhibit every detail in the images and symbols, which posed a challenge to every rule in a magical compromise.
Art Development in Ancient Egypt
Throughout Egyptian history, artisans created idealized art of kings and gods, showing them as powerful and perfect. During the Old Kingdom, art was rigid and lacked fine details. The Middle Kingdom saw a slight shift, introducing more texture, wrinkles, and curved lines into the figures.
A breakthrough occurred during King Akhenaten‘s reign. Artists began to create highly lifelike and naturalistic portraits of the king and his family. Because Egypt is largely a desert, stone was the primary material for sculptures, temples, and tombs. However, craftsmen also created artworks from wood and metal throughout all three kingdoms.
While art styles evolved, the core form remained consistent. For example, the Great Sphinx of Giza (Old Kingdom) is very similar to the Sphinxes of Tanis (Middle Kingdom) and the Alabaster Sphinx of Memphis (New Kingdom), with only minor changes in features.
Colors in Ancient Egypt
Ancient Egyptian artists used six main colors: green, red, blue, yellow, white, and black. Green was their most prominent color. They used mineral compounds to create these colors. This is why many artworks still look vibrant thousands of years later. Their pigments came from materials like amethyst, malachite, gold, and lapis lazuli.
To truly appreciate these colors, consider a Nile River Cruise. Our Egypt vacation packages offer a chance to see ancient artifacts and stunning wall paintings up close. You can experience the beauty and vivid colors that have survived for millennia. To comprehend, admire, and learn about ancient Egyptian arts, you should visit Egypt.
