Egyptian art test

What were the 3 major periods (kingdoms) in Egyptian art history?

The Old Kingdom, The Middle Kingdom, The New Kingdom

The Old Kingdom

Ruled by a Pharoah named Menes. The Egyptian capitol is Memphis.

The Middle Kingdom

Time of law, order, and prosperity in Egypt. The Pharoah at this time wasn't super powerful as before, and so Egypt was overrun by foreign invaders- they used horses and chariots. They were called the Hyksos. After the Egyptians figured out the horses and chariots, they were able to drive out the Hyksos.

Who are the Hyksos?

A people from Western Asia who used horses and chariots.

The New Kingdom

The ruler of this period was Thutmose III. One of his successors was Amenhotep III. The capital city was Thebes, considered to be the most magnificent city in the world. His son Amenhotep IV broke the tradition and wanted to change Egyptian religion, so that they would be monotheists (not to Hashem though), to be committed to the god Aton, symbolized by a sun-disc. He moved the capital to Tell elAmarna. After his death everything went back to before, but Egypt was never as great again.

Alexander the Great of Macedonia

A king who conquered Egypt, making it a province of Rome.

The Pyramid of Khufu or "Cheops"

A vert large pyramid made with lots of bricks

Egyptian pyramids

Its proportions of a larger base to height suggest its solidity and permanence. Not much space inside except for passageways and rooms called galleries. Made of solid limestone.

Why were there extra rooms in pyramids?

To confuse the robbers that tried stealing from treasure buried with the Pharoah.

What were done with the Pharoahs when they died?

They were embalmed- wrapped in strips of cloth in order to preserve and protect the body. Then it was placed in a sarcophagus/ stone coffin along with his possessions.

Why were Pharoahs buried with their belongings?

It was hoped that if they did this, after his Ka (soul) joined the gods, his Ka would return and go to the next world along with his treasures.

Mastaba Pyramid

Also known as a step pyramid. Made by building low, flat, rectangular tombs, with sloping sides. Its step-like appearance was created by building one mastaba stacked on top of the other, decreasing in size. Each mastaba had a chapel, a false burial chamber, and a hidden chamber to protect the Pharoah and his treasures.

Permanent Tombs

During the New Kingdom, permanent tombs were built into the side of rock cliffs just west of the Nile.

Temples

Very elaborate and constructed for the Pharoah's favourite gods. After the Pharoah died, offerings were brought to the temple for the Pharoah's Ka.

Why were sculptures made?

There were problems with tomb robberies, and the mummies were often destroyed. The Egyptians feared that the Ka would not have a body to return to and so sculptors were commanded to create these sculptures.

Sculptures

A portrait of the Pharoah carved out of hard stone and placed beside the sarcophagus as a substitute for the body.

Egyptian translation for "sculpture"

"He who keeps alive"

Portrait of Khafre

A stone portrait of the 4th Dynasty Pharoah. He is sitting on his throne, which is inscribed with symbols stating that he was the king of Egypt. This pharoah was considered part-king and part-god and a descendent of the sun god Re. A falcon at the back of his head is representing Horus, a sky god. He is wearing a pleated skirt with a cloth headdress, covering his forehead and wide shoulders.

The great Sphinx

An Egyptian sculpture carved out of rock. It consists of the head of pharoah on a the body of a reclining lion, symbolizing his courage and strength.

Relief Sculpture

A sculpture that was carved out of the wall, so you don't see the back.

Painting

This became a more recognized art when sculptures became too expensive. They would smooth the cliff walls with plaster first and then a series of horizontal straight lines were drawn. After this, figures and animals were arranged along the lines. These were done in red and yellow and then black, green, and blue to add contrasts. Often, more important people, (like royalty) were drawn larger and stiffer in comparison to the servants to show their status.

Hieroglyphics

An early form of picture writing