Ancient Egyptian Art and Architecture

Flashcards covering key vocabulary and concepts from the study of Ancient Egyptian art and architecture.

Zoomorphism

In art, the depiction of entities such as gods or deities as having one or more animal parts as a visual motif.

Theocracy

A system of government in which priests rule in the name of God or a god, significant in Egyptian culture with pharaohs viewed as descendants of the gods.

Buon Fresco

A type of fresco painting done on wet plaster, resulting in a durable finish.

Fresco Secco

A style of painting done on dry plaster, allowing for different techniques and appearances in murals.

Sphinx

A mythical beast of ancient Egypt, symbolizing the pharaoh, typically depicted with a human head and a lion's body.

Sarcophagus

A stone coffin that protects the linen-wrapped mummy, often elaborately decorated and serving religious purposes.

Mastaba

The rectangular brick or stone structure used as the standard tomb type in Early Egypt, with sloping sides over a burial chamber.

Necropolis

A large burial area or cemetery; literally translates from Greek as 'City of the Dead'.

Pylon

Two massive sloping towers flanking the entrance of a temple, designed symmetrically along a single axis.

Hypostyle Hall

A temple hall characterized by multiple columns, with a roof supported by columns, allowing for a significant interior space.

Clerestory

Windows located near the roof of a building that allow light to enter, enhancing the play of shadows within the temple.

Hierarchy of Scale

A convention in art where important figures are depicted as larger to convey their rank and status.

Law of Frontality

A convention showing figures with heads in profile while the torso is depicted frontally, characteristic of Egyptian representational art.

Symbolism

The use of symbols in art to convey deeper meanings, particularly showcasing power and authority in Egyptian culture.