Ancient Egyptian Art
What were the
purpose of the
pyramids?
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To glorify the Pharaoh
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To offer an impressive resting place
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To protect the Pharaoh’s body and riches
from treasure hunters.
This is one of the
earliest pyramids
constructed. It is
made up of a series of
MASTABAS.
Mastaba: a low, flat
tomb.
• Each brick weighs 2.5 tonnes
• 2 million bricks for each pyramid
• Took 23 years to construct one pyramid
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The Sphinx is a 65 foot high figure carved
from the rocky ledge. The Sphinx is
composed of the body of a LION with the
head of a PHARAOH.
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The purpose of the Sphinx was to be the
protector/the guardian of the Pharaoh and
the Pyramids
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Within the pyramids were sculptures and
paintings. Many of these treasures have
survived centuries.

Egyptian Art and
sculpture is often
described as being
stylized.

Stylized: the
simplification of forms
found in nature to
present a more
decorative feeling in
Artwork

IDEALIZED image of the
Pharaoh Mycerinus

One leg forward, arms stiff
at the sides.
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Few breakable parts and no
holes in-between figures
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Queen embraces him in
traditional form of care and
respect
Queen Nefertiti was the wife of Akhenaten.
He changed the strict rules of Egyptian art
and allowed more freedom and realism for
the artists during his time.

He allowed artists to practice
naturalism- artwork created
through more direct observation of
the image/figure (more accurate)

Painted limestone sculptures
became common

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Idealized (Egyptian
belief of female beauty)
Long slender neck
Dark outline around her
eyes
Very refined facial
features and bone
structure
Looks very natural
Painted on a wall
Bodies are more curved
Have a more natural
and relaxing pose than
“Mycerinus” statue
 Heads are elongated
(Armana style)
 Pharaoh Akhenaten
changed the rigid art
style during his rule

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Despite having a very short reign
as a Pharaoh, (dying at the age of
18), King Tut is very well known
today.

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His tomb was found intact after
being sealed for more than
3000 years
Gold coffin weighed 250 lbs
King at 9 years old, died at 18
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The tombs of important wealthy people were
decorated with wall paintings that told a
story of their life

Egyptian Wall paintings were created using
the fresco technique.

A fresco is a method of painting in which the
pigment is applied directly into the wet
plaster of the wall.
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Figures and animals were carefully arranged in
series of horizontal straight lines
Arranged to tell a story of the deceased
Coloured using rich red and yellow hues with
black, and blue-green for contrast
No shading was used making figures look flat

When the most important figures are
drawn larger than the other figures
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An early form of picture writing

These symbols, some of which represented
objects, communicated information and
were included in wall paintings and other art
forms to help tell the story.

The signs were spaced to form attractive
patterns in squares or rectangles.

The Egyptians often had a “Cartouche”
which was a hieroglyphic nameplate or seal.

The basic shape of an oval boarder that is said
to symbolize “all that the sun encircles”,
alluding to the power of the Pharoah and the
universe.

In your sketchbook, create your own
“Cartouche” using your name.