Module 5
As we continue on to Egypt, remember that the Macedonian, Greeks and others are civilizations nearby are also continuing to contribute to the art world, but it is not until the great/long Egyptian rule is over that we move over to Greece and their artwork. Next week :)
Please watch this Introduction to Ancient Egypt:
In Egypt, art and architecture had reached a high point of technical development. Though the ritualistic content of the images remained, the scale and visibility of the work point to an important new development in art, ie; the art of the "state". These are monumental works designed to embody the power, and enduring quality of the empire, dynasty, king etc... The term Machtkunst, or 'power art', is often used to describe this development. Elaborate tombs, temples, pillars, pyramids etc... were built to commemorate the memory and achievements of powerful rulers and also provide a powerful social/cultural identity. It also allowed for entry into the 'afterlife'. This art coincided with the appearance of large, "urbanized" cultures that mark the beginnings of civilization as we know it. The use of hierarchic scaling to show importance of particular subjects is important.
The Temple of Abu Simbel
Masks such as Tutankhamun's were created to ceremoniously cover the face in grandeur and to allow the spirit to recognize the body after death
Some artifacts are of such vital importance to our understanding of ancient cultures that they are truly unique and utterly irreplaceable. The gold mask of Tutankhamun was allowed to leave Egypt for display overseas; the Narmer Palette, on the other hand, is so valuable that it has never been permitted to leave the country.
Please read: Palette of King Narmer
Types of Relief Sculpture
There are three basic types of relief sculpture: (1) low relief (or bas-relief), where the sculpture projects only slightly from the background surface.
(2) high relief (or alto-relief), where the sculpture projects at least half or more of its natural circumference from the background, and may in parts be wholly disengaged from the ground, thus approximating sculpture in the round.
(3) sunken relief, (or intaglio relief), where the carving is sunk below the level of the surrounding surface and is contained within a sharply incised contour line that frames it with a powerful line of shadow. The surrounding surface remains untouched, with no projections. Sunken relief carving is found almost exclusively in ancient Egyptian art, although it has also been used in some beautiful small-scale ivory reliefs from India.
What did you learn about Akhenaten and Polytheism?
Trailer to amazing Opera by Philip Glass
Why do they look so strange and sideways?
Please scroll though the pages at left...
New Art work and Terms to Know:
Bust of Queen Nefertiti
Pyramids of Giza
Fowling in the Marshes
Narmer's Palette
The Stela of Akhenaton and Nefertiti
Low or Bas Relief vs High Relief
Canons of Proportion
Hierarchic scaling
Read this Article: Fowling in the Marshes
Rank, Religion and Recreation. Three of the Ancient Egyptians favorite things!
Ron Mueck is an Australian hyper-realist sculptor working in the United Kingdom. His work reminds me in some ways of Egyptian art..why do you think that might be?