Analysis and Review of the Art History of Ancient Egypt - Essay Example

History of Art in Ancient Egypt Introduction: The paintings, sculptures, and the architecture produced during 5000 BC to 300 AD by the civilization thriving on the lower Nile Valley are referred to as the Ancient Egyptian art. (Grimal 1992). Throughout the history of the world, it is clearly reflected that one of the earliest hubs of civilized man was Egypt. The Ancient Egyptian art no matter whether it was from the Old, Middle or New kingdom was highly stylized and symbolic. Egyptian sculptures belonging to the Old Kingdom (2670-2150 BCE) had characteristic formidable expressions. On the other hand, sculptures from the Middle Kingdom exhibit emotional expressions. Lastly, the figures belonging to the New Kingdom have characteristic rounded and elongated shapes. The epoch of Egyptian art is not only unmistakably exquisite but also highly technical. Egyptians had a sound knowledge of the anatomy and physiology of the human body and this knowledge was mirrored in their artistic forms of expression. The Egyptians left behind a profusion of spectacular sculptures and other forms of art, to fascinate the world. (Gardner et al 1996). The Neolithic and Predynastic period: The period prior to 3100 BC is known as the Predynastic period. The art belonging to prehistoric or early Egypt is known as the Prehistoric Art. Paintings and Sculptures had a solid stance and were extraordinarily complicated. (Grimal 1992). The paintings mainly consist of stick figures bearing a strong resemblance to the Neolithic paintings from Catal Huyuk. The Egyptian art from the Predynastic period also consists of pots and tools and weapons used by the people of the Lower Nile Valley and Upper Egypt. The Tomb 100 of the Predynastic cemetery at Hierakonpolis has strikingly beautiful and exquisite paintings on its interior walls. The ancient Egyptian mural paintings were large and colorful. One of the oldest Egyptian mural paintings belonging to the Neolithic period depicts randomly arranged boats, a man punishing human prisoners and animals. The paintings on the walls of tombs mostly consisted of depictions of funerary scenes and revealed association with the Mesopotamian Art. (Gardner et al 1996). The Early Dynastic period: The Early Dynastic period constitutes the 1st and 2nd dynasties and is the period around 3150 BC. The end of the Predynastic period is identified by the unification of the Upper and Lower Egypt. (Rawlinson 1881).One of the oldest preserved artworks belonging to the Early Dynastic period is the Palette of King Narmer. The formation of the “Kingdom of Two Lands” is depicted by the Palette of King Narmer. The King’s name and images are depicted on both sides of the ceremonial Palette and it was found at Hierakonpolis. The palette shows King Narmer creating the “Kingdom of Two Lands” and at the top register a Hathor is depicted four times. The front of the Palette of King Narmer shows an image of the King wearing the Cobra Crown. (Gardner et al 1996). Old Kingdom (2670-2150 BC): The time period extending from the reign of Third Dynasty to the Sixth Dynasty is referred to as the Old Kingdom. During the Old Kingdom, the royal capital was located at Memphis where the court of Djoser was established. Primarily, the Old Kingdom is famous for its large pharaonic burial sites known as the Egyptian Pyramids and for this reason it is referred to as the “Age of the Pyramids”. (Rawlinson 1881).The construction of the Step Pyramid at Saqqara was ordered by Djoser. The Stepped pyramid of Djoser was the Egypt’s first complex of buildings which were entirely constructed out of limestone. The Pyramid appears like a huge pile of Mastabas. The Pyramid is gigantic and is composed six steps which are not based on equal dimensions. The pyramid is constructed in such a manner that gives the impression of depicting a huge, majestic staircase to the Heavens. The construction of the Great Pyramid of Giza or the Khufu’s Horizon was ordered by King Khufu at the Giza Necropolis. Like all pyramids, the Pyramid of Giza also has an adjoining mortuary temple. The Great Pyramid of Giza is the only pyramid which is largely intact and is designated as the oldest of the Seven Wonders of the World. It was constructed in 2540-2560 BC. The Pyramid has a height of 146.5 meters and a base of 230.4 meters. The Great Sphinx of Giza was constructed during the Reign of pharaoh Khafra and was erected on the Giza Plateau. The Great Sphinx of Giza was constructed entirely out of limestone and it is the largest monolith statue of the world. The Great Sphinx is 73.5 meters in length and 20.22 meters in height. The Khafre and Falcon God Horus from Gizah were also constructed by ancient Egyptians belonging to the Old Kingdom. The famous Greywacke statue of Mankaura and Khamerernebty II was also constructed during the Old Kingdom. (Gardner et al 1996). Middle and the New Kingdom: The period in the history of ancient Egypt extending from the beginning of the Eleventh Dynasty to the fall of the Fourteenth Dynasty is referred to as the Middle Kingdom. The New Kingdom covers the eighteenth, nineteenth and the twentieth dynasties and is the time period extending from the 16th century to the 11th century BC. The middle kingdom was founded by Mentuhotep II and his Osiride statue was produced by the Egyptian’s of the Middle Kingdom. The figures from the Middle Kingdom have emotional expressions such as moody look in the eyes and depressed expression on the mouth. (Grimal 1992). The Fragmentary Head of Senusret III and the Rock cut Tombs at Ben Hasan were all constructed during the Middle Kingdom. The famous Rock cut Tombs had fluted columns which consisted of decorative grooves. The Riverboat from the Tomb of Meketre is not only exquisite but is highly stylized. The Riverboat was constructed during the Middle Kingdom and is 50 inches long. The art belonging to the New Kingdom consists of statues and temples of the ruling Pharaohs. Statues of King Tut and Akhenaten along with various other forms of art were constructed in the New Kingdom. (Rawlinson 1881). References: Gardner, Helen, Richard G. Tansey, and Fred S. Kleiner. Gardners Art Through the Ages. Fort Worth: Harcourt Brace College Publishers, 1996. Print. Rawlinson, George. History of Ancient Egypt. London: Longmans, Green, 1881. Print. Grimal, Nicolas-Christophe. A History of Ancient Egypt. Oxford, UK: Blackwell, 1992. Print. Read More