Egyptian art

Egyptian art

flourished from 3000 BCE to 30 BCE which focused on the afterlife and the divine to honor gods and pharaohs.

Media

– Artists used stone, wood, metal, and papyrus. Stone was common for sculptures and monuments, wood for smaller artifacts, metal for decorative items, and papyrus for painting and writing.

Styles

Egyptian art featured conventions like the hieratic scale, where larger figures indicate higher status. For instance, the Karnak Temple has colossal statues of gods and pharaohs. Figures are often shown in frontal poses, with heads and legs in profile.

Symbolism

is a crucial element, with colors and icons carrying specific meanings, such as green representing fertility and rebirth, as seen in depictions of Osiris and the ankh for life.

Purpose

– The primary purposes were religious and funerary, with artworks intended for temples or tombs, aiding in the deceased's journey to the afterlife.

Significant Artists

While many artists remain unknown, Imhotep was a major architect in ancient Egypt, known for designing the Pyramid of Djoser. It was the first large stone building. He also influenced sculpture and was later revered as a god of wisdom and healing. His work set the standard for future Egyptian art and architecture.