Lecture 5: Egyptian Art

Mastaba

• “Bench”

• Made from mudbrick

Ka/Ka statue

Life-force that continued to exist after death

False door

Symbolic, carved representation of a doorway found in tombs and mortuary chapels that served as a magical portal for the deceased's ka (life force or spirit) to pass between the world of the living and the afterlife to receive offerings

Serdab

• Small room which held statues of the deceased

• Often completely closed off

• No one was really intended to see it

Horus

Falcon or a man with a falcon's head, symbolizing kingship and protection

Nemes headdress

Symbol of kingship

Uraeus serpent

• Worn on the forehead

• Symbol of ancient Egypt, depicted as a rearing cobra —> pharaoh's divine authority and sovereignty

Shendyt kilt

Symbol of unification

Idealism

Perfect

Rock-cut tomb

Not royal tombs (ex: tomb of amenemhat); mountainside provides structural support, carved out of rock

Hypostyle hall

Roof supported by rows of closely packed columns, with the term originating from Ancient Greek for "under pillars"

Osiris

God of the underworld, resurrection, and fertility

Crook and Flail

Crook - shepherd's staff —> kingship and the ruler's duty as a shepherd to his people

Flail - fertility of the land and the power to discipline and maintain order

Realism

Depicting everyday life

Stepped Pyramid of Djoser

First time there’s a mortuary structure in stone and a mortuary building combined with ritual buildings. It had processional spaces and there’s no known architect. It had a dual function of advertisement and providing the king a home in the afterlife. There were real functional buildings and false buildings (meant for King’s usage in the afterlife) and it was completely solid inside.

Statue of Kahfre

This is from the time of the Old Kingdom. Behind Kahfre is Horus, the falcon god and protector of the king. The statue is made from gneiss. His idealized body represents eternal kingship and divine authority. Kahfre is wearing a shendylit kilt (symbol of unification).

Funerary Complex of Nebhepetre Mentuhotep

This was a causeway that leads from the Nile with an upper terrace of stacked porticoes. Ritual offerings were made in the courtyard. Behind the courtyard was a hypostyle hall with the purpose of visuals. Inside was a statue of the king which is a connection to divine authority. This is during the time of the Middle Kingdom (which was reunited by Mentuhotep).

Statue of Mentuhotep II

He is wearing a composite crown and a jubilee robe. If his arms weren’t crossed, he would hold a crook and flail. His skin is painted black. Pharaohs who were associated with Osiris were typically represented with black/green skin.

Large Kneeling Statue of Hatshepsut

Hatshepsut is depicted as a male although she was a woman. In her hands, she holds votive offering cups. The piece shows tradition and is idealistic as it connects to the past and how she wanted to legitimize herself. This is during the time of the New Kingdom and emphasizes divine kingship. The stiffness of the posing represents wanting to seem like that for eternity.