Sphinx of Giza (2613 to 2494) Human qualities (head, intelligence) combined with body of a lion (power, vigilance) to protect Khafra's grave/pyramid.
Mask of Tutenkhamen (C. 1336 to 1327, Dy. 18, 21")
Approximate period divisions 5500 to 3100 (predynastic/neolithic), 3100 to 2686 (early dynastic) 2686 to 2181 (old kingdom) 2055 to 1650 (middle kingdom) 1550 to 1069 (new kingdom) 747 to 332 (late kingdom) 332 to 32 (Ptolemaic), 30 to 390 AD (Roman).
3500 to 3400 BC jar (8") Highly abstract, symbols/motifs for water (Nile), human and plant figures, characteristic of predyanstic "sub era".
Egyptian cannon of proportions The first known establishment of figure formatting, in this case the required width and height of the full human figure, as well as "landmarks" for where specific details (eg knees, mouth) should be according to a specific unit of measure. Predecessor of the modern graphic design grid.
Funerary complex of Djoser (2667 to 2648) first example of columns used to span massive space (hyppostyle).
Head of Senusret III (1836 to 1818, dy. 12) A technically proficient example of Egyptian break from austere convention in the depiction of royalty. Expression is solemn, contemplative, deep instead of placid or calm. Ears break picture plane proportions by being rendered in profile from a straight-on view. Facial features are more readily identifiable to the figure than what is common in Egyptian art.
Cartouche A loop of rope; the upper portion of the ankh.
Hiero(sacred)glyph(carve) A combination of pictographs and phonograms, thought to have religious power, and the earliest of the three Egyptian written communication systems.
Rosetta stone (196) Stele responsible for our current ability to read all three ancient Egyptian language.
Hyppostyle A method of spanning great space with colonades
Clerestory The upper level of a hall with windows or gaps allowing light or air to circulate in the lower chambers.
Peristyle A space or building lined with columns.
Amenhotep IV (Akhenaten, 1352 to 1336) Chief queen was Nefertiti. One of the first known examples of the implementation of monotheism by the state.
Bust of Nefertiti The rendering of facial features and skin are masterful and comparable to any more modern work. Certain features would be impossible to achieve in reality and are idealized.
Egyptian cannon of proportions The first known establishment of figure formatting, in this case the required width and height of the full human figure, as well as "landmarks" for where specific details (eg knees, mouth) should be according to a specific unit of measure. Predecessor of the modern graphic design grid.
Funerary complex of Djoser (2667 to 2648) first example of columns used to span massive space (hyppostyle).
Head of Senusret III (1836 to 1818, dy. 12) A technically proficient example of Egyptian break from austere convention in the depiction of royalty. Expression is solemn, contemplative, deep instead of placid or calm. Ears break picture plane proportions by being rendered in profile from a straight-on view. Facial features are more readily identifiable to the figure than what is common in Egyptian art.
Cartouche A loop of rope; the upper portion of the ankh.
Hiero(sacred)glyph(carve) A combination of pictographs and phonograms, thought to have religious power, and the earliest of the three Egyptian written communication systems.
Rosetta stone (196) Stele responsible for our current ability to read all three ancient Egyptian language.
Hyppostyle A method of spanning great space with colonades
Clerestory The upper level of a hall with windows or gaps allowing light or air to circulate in the lower chambers.
Peristyle A space or building lined with columns.
Amenhotep IV (Akhenaten, 1352 to 1336) Chief queen was Nefertiti. One of the first known examples of the implementation of monotheism by the state.
Bust of Nefertiti The rendering of facial features and skin are masterful and comparable to any more modern work. Certain features would be impossible to achieve in reality and are idealized.
Characteristics Almost all Egyptian art was propaganda and political in nature. Pictographs depict those characteristics that make the part easiest to identify, ie heads and legs in profile, eyes, chests and waists straight-on. Space spanning uses columnar orders, lotus, papyrus, palm trees. Figures are shown from straight on or profile, rigid, "canonized", placed in registers. Tone is timeless. Common symbols include the Sun (Ra), water (Nile), pure colors unmixed, almost no attempt to create depth through variations in tone or purity. Religion/government one body; favored order, balance, static harmony. Important people were depicted with increasing rigidity and timelessness, formality, idealistically and a hint of control. Less important people are still somewhat stiff but less formally, doing mundane non-eternal activities, rendered with more naturalism.
Symbology Ostrich feather (Egyptian god Anubis, truth) jackal/jackal-head (Anubis) hippopotamus (Seth, evil) lion (royalty, vigilance, regal authority) sun/disc (Ra, life, fertility) ibis/ibis-head (Thoth, responsible for hieroglyphs, record keeping, administration) cobra (the rising sun, king) scarab, beetle (Ra, everlasting life, sun) falcon/falcon-head (Horus, slayer of Seth, became king of Earth) wedjat (complicate eye figure, eye of Horus) ankh (everlasting life) potters wheel (possible creation of humanity through Ptah) cow head (Hathor, protection) bull, or parts of the bull (strength, virility) sedge and/or lotus (upper Egypt) the false beard of the pharaohs (royalty) wavy lines (water, Nile from overhead) crook and flail (grain thresher, a combination of symbols specific to ancient Egyptian royalty).
Symbology Ostrich feather (Egyptian god Anubis, truth) jackal/jackal-head (Anubis) hippopotamus (Seth, evil) lion (royalty, vigilance, regal authority) sun/disc (Ra, life, fertility) ibis/ibis-head (Thoth, responsible for hieroglyphs, record keeping, administration) cobra (the rising sun, king) scarab, beetle (Ra, everlasting life, sun) falcon/falcon-head (Horus, slayer of Seth, became king of Earth) wedjat (complicate eye figure, eye of Horus) ankh (everlasting life) potters wheel (possible creation of humanity through Ptah) cow head (Hathor, protection) bull, or parts of the bull (strength, virility) sedge and/or lotus (upper Egypt) the false beard of the pharaohs (royalty) wavy lines (water, Nile from overhead) crook and flail (grain thresher, a combination of symbols specific to ancient Egyptian royalty).
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