🎨Art History I – Prehistory to Middle Ages Unit 4 – Ancient Egyptian Art: Old to New Kingdom

Historical Context and Timeline

• Ancient Egyptian civilization emerged along the Nile River Valley around 3100 BCE and lasted until the death of Cleopatra VII in 30 BCE
• The Old Kingdom (c. 2686-2181 BCE) marked the peak of pyramid building and the consolidation of royal power
• The Middle Kingdom (c. 2055-1650 BCE) saw a resurgence of artistic and literary achievements after a period of political instability
• The New Kingdom (c. 1550-1069 BCE) was characterized by military conquests, expanded trade networks, and a flourishing of art and architecture
  • This period included the reigns of famous pharaohs such as Hatshepsut, Thutmose III, and Ramesses II
• Egyptian art and culture were deeply influenced by the annual flooding of the Nile, which provided fertile soil for agriculture and a sense of cyclical renewal
• The development of hieroglyphic writing around 3200 BCE allowed for the recording of history, religious texts, and artistic achievements

Key Artistic Periods

• The Old Kingdom is known for its monumental pyramid complexes (Giza) and the development of canonical proportions in sculpture and painting
• The Middle Kingdom saw a shift towards more naturalistic and expressive art forms, as seen in the sculptures of Senusret III and the jewelry of the princesses of Dahshur
• The New Kingdom is celebrated for its grand temple complexes (Karnak, Luxor), elaborate tomb paintings (Valley of the Kings), and innovations in portraiture and relief sculpture
  • The Amarna Period (c. 1353-1336 BCE) under Akhenaten and Nefertiti represented a brief but significant departure from traditional artistic conventions, emphasizing more naturalistic and intimate depictions of the royal family
• The Late Period (c. 1069-332 BCE) witnessed a revival of earlier artistic styles and motifs, as well as increased cultural exchange with the Greek and Roman worlds

Iconic Monuments and Structures

• The Great Pyramid of Giza, built for Pharaoh Khufu during the Old Kingdom, remains one of the most iconic and enduring symbols of ancient Egyptian civilization
• The Sphinx, a monumental limestone statue with the head of a human and the body of a lion, guards the Giza pyramid complex and embodies the divine power of the pharaoh
• The Karnak Temple Complex, constructed and expanded over several centuries during the New Kingdom, served as the main center of worship for the god Amun-Ra and showcased the wealth and power of the pharaohs
  • The Hypostyle Hall at Karnak, with its towering columns and intricate relief carvings, exemplifies the grandeur and complexity of New Kingdom temple architecture
• The Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut at Deir el-Bahri, built during the New Kingdom, features a unique terraced design and beautifully preserved relief sculptures depicting the queen's divine birth and expeditions to the Land of Punt
• The Colossi of Memnon, two massive stone statues of Amenhotep III, have stood guard at the entrance to his mortuary temple for over 3,400 years and serve as a testament to the enduring legacy of New Kingdom art and architecture

Symbolism and Religious Influences

• Ancient Egyptian art was deeply intertwined with religious beliefs and practices, serving to reinforce the divine status of the pharaoh and ensure the continuation of the cosmic order (maat)
• The use of hieroglyphs, a complex system of writing that combined phonetic and ideographic elements, allowed for the encoding of sacred texts and the recording of religious rituals
• The depiction of gods and goddesses in human or animal form (anthropomorphism and zoomorphism) reflected their roles and attributes within the Egyptian pantheon
  • For example, the god Horus was often depicted as a falcon or a falcon-headed man, symbolizing his role as the divine protector of the pharaoh
• The use of symbolic colors, such as blue for the Nile and green for vegetation, conveyed important concepts and associations within Egyptian art and religion
• The inclusion of funerary texts, such as the Book of the Dead, and protective amulets in tombs and burial goods reflects the Egyptian belief in the afterlife and the importance of preserving the body and spirit for eternity

Materials and Techniques

• Ancient Egyptian artists utilized a wide range of materials, including stone (limestone, granite, quartzite), wood, precious metals (gold, silver), and faience (glazed ceramic)
• The development of copper chisels and bronze tools during the Old Kingdom allowed for the precise carving and shaping of stone sculptures and reliefs
• The use of a grid system and canonical proportions ensured the consistency and harmony of human figures in painting and relief sculpture
  • The Egyptian canon of proportions divided the human body into 18 equal parts, with the head serving as the basic unit of measurement
• Painting techniques involved the use of natural pigments, such as ochre, malachite, and lapis lazuli, applied in flat, uniform colors with little shading or modeling
• The lost-wax casting method, introduced during the Middle Kingdom, revolutionized the production of intricate metal statues and jewelry
• The use of inlaid glass, semiprecious stones, and faience added color and texture to sculptures, jewelry, and decorative objects

Evolution of Artistic Styles

• The Old Kingdom saw the establishment of canonical proportions and the idealization of the human form, as seen in the statues of Rahotep and Nofret
• The Middle Kingdom introduced more naturalistic and expressive elements, such as the depiction of wrinkles and folds in clothing, as exemplified by the statue of Senusret III
• The New Kingdom witnessed a greater emphasis on movement, emotion, and individuality in art, as seen in the painted reliefs of the tomb of Nebamun and the sculptures of Akhenaten and Nefertiti from the Amarna Period
  • The Amarna style, characterized by elongated features, exaggerated curves, and intimate family scenes, represented a significant departure from traditional artistic conventions
• The Late Period saw a revival of earlier styles and motifs, as well as increased cultural exchange with the Greek and Roman worlds, resulting in the emergence of hybrid styles and the incorporation of foreign elements into Egyptian art

Famous Artworks and Artifacts

• The Narmer Palette, a ceremonial stone slab from the Early Dynastic Period, depicts the unification of Upper and Lower Egypt under King Narmer and showcases early developments in hieroglyphic writing and symbolic representation
• The Bust of Nefertiti, a painted limestone sculpture from the Amarna Period, is renowned for its elegance, symmetry, and the enigmatic smile of the queen, embodying the innovative style and craftsmanship of the time
• The Mask of Tutankhamun, a gold and semiprecious stone funerary mask discovered in the pharaoh's tomb, has become an icon of ancient Egyptian art and a testament to the wealth and artistry of the New Kingdom
  • The tomb of Tutankhamun, discovered by Howard Carter in 1922, contained over 5,000 beautifully crafted objects, including furniture, jewelry, and statues, providing invaluable insights into the material culture and funerary practices of the New Kingdom elite
• The Book of the Dead of Hunefer, a painted papyrus scroll from the 19th Dynasty, illustrates the journey of the deceased through the underworld and the judgment of the heart ceremony, showcasing the importance of funerary texts and the belief in the afterlife
• The Rosetta Stone, a trilingual stele featuring hieroglyphic, demotic, and Greek inscriptions, was instrumental in deciphering ancient Egyptian hieroglyphs and unlocking the secrets of the civilization's written language

Legacy and Global Impact

• Ancient Egyptian art and architecture have captivated the imagination of people around the world for centuries, inspiring countless imitations, adaptations, and revivals in art, literature, and popular culture
• The rediscovery and study of ancient Egyptian artifacts and monuments during the 19th and early 20th centuries, exemplified by the work of Jean-François Champollion and the Napoleonic expedition, fueled a renewed interest in Egyptology and the development of modern archaeological practices
• Egyptian motifs and styles have been incorporated into various artistic movements, such as Neoclassicism, Art Deco, and Egyptomania, demonstrating the enduring appeal and influence of ancient Egyptian aesthetics
  • The Washington Monument in Washington, D.C., and the Luxor Hotel in Las Vegas are notable examples of Egyptian-inspired architecture in modern times
• The study of ancient Egyptian art has provided valuable insights into the social, political, and religious structures of the civilization, as well as its interactions with neighboring cultures and its contributions to the development of art and technology in the ancient world
• The preservation and conservation of ancient Egyptian artifacts and monuments remain a global concern, with international organizations and institutions working to protect and promote this invaluable cultural heritage for future generations