AP Art History
Egyptian Art
INTRODUCTION: The pyramids and sphinx of Egypt represent
monuments that were built by a people who dominated Mid Eastern life
for thousands of years.
CHRONOLOGY:Three major periods of Egyptian history - but be aware
of the PRE-DYNASTIC / EARLY DYNASTY periods!
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Pre-Dynastic Period 4350-3150 BCE
Early Dynastic Period 3150-2670 BCE
Old Kingdom 2670-2150 BCE
Middle Kingdom 2150-1800 BCE
New Kingdom 1550-1070 BCE (includes Amarna period-1370-1350
BCE)
Old Kingdom
Prior to the emergence of the Old Kingdom, there existed a Pre-dynastic
period in Egypt. The Pre-dynastic period lasted from 4350-3150 BCE. It
was a time of social and political transition. Finally in 3150, under the
leadership of Narmer (Menes), Upper and Lower Egypt were united as
one kingdom. From this time on, pharaoh's (single rulers from the same
family or dynasty) ruled Egypt as absolute kings who received their
powers from the gods.
It was during the Old Kingdom, that the traditions and standards of
Egyptian art were established. Rules of construction and composition
were established between Dynasty III and IV.
 Palette of Narmer (Menes) Dynasty I, (fig. 3-4), c3150-3125 BCE
ARCHITECTURE - One of the most important figures in Egyptian
architecture was Imhotep, chancellor and court architect under Djoser
(Zoser) (second ruler: Dynasty III). During the Early Dynastic period,
funerary rites became an essential part of Egyptian culture. In keeping
with this, the Egyptians created elaborate structures to help protect and
preserve the bodies of the dead.
Mastabas, flat topped, one-story buildings were first erected above
underground burial chambers. Mastabas were replaced during Dynasty
III and IV to create elaborate and expensive pyramids to house their
remains.
 Stepped Pyramid of Djoser Dynasty 3, c2681-2662 BCE
 Wall of North Palace, w/ engaged columns, Dynasty 3, c2681-2662
 Great Pyramids (for Khafre (Chefren), Menkaure (Mycerinus) &
Khufu(Cheops)) Dynasty 4,, c2601-2515 BCE
 Great Sphinx Dynasty 4, c2570-2544 BCE
Khafre
SCULPTURE - Sculpted statues of themselves were very important to
the pharaohs as a means of perpetuating their memories and protecting
their "ka". All early Egyptian sculpture is characterized by (1)
compactness (2) symmetry of form and (3) its block-like shape
 Khafre (Chefren or Chephren) Dynasty 3, c2570-2544 BCE
 Menkaure (Mycerinus) and His Wife Dynasty 4, c2515 BCE
 Seated Scribe Dynasty 5, c2510-2460 BCE
RELIEF SCULPTURE & PAINTING-Relief sculpture and painting were two
ways used to decorate the interior walls of the tombs and create
pleasant eternal living quarters for the deceased's "ka".
Menkaure
Middle Kingdom
One hundred years of political disorder followed the end of the Sixth
Dynasty. regional overlords struggled for power and were too weak to
protect the empire from invaders from Western Asia.
ARCHITECTURE-The architecture of the period was on a much smaller
scale than that of the Old Kingdom. Pharaohs still wanted pyramids but
lacked the funds and social stability to accomplish the task of building
on such a grand scale. Tombs became much smaller, cut from rock,
with the only access via a steep rampway.
 Rock cut Tomb of Amenemhet Dynasty 12, (fig.3-21), c1991-1785
BCE
SCULPTURE - Due to the division of power, two schools of
representation emerged. In the north, artists copied the idealized
images found within the grand tombs of Old Kingdom pharaohs. In the
south, artists did not have these images to copy.Their royal statues
display a movement towards a more natural imagery.
 Senwosret (Senusret) Dynasty 12, (fig. 3-24), c1878-1842 BCE
 Portrait of Sesostris III Dynasty 12, c1875-1825 BCE
New Kingdom
True order and stability was not re-established until Dynasty 18. With
the new era of peace and prosperity came a return to the construction
of large temple complexes.The rulers of Dynasties 18-20 built more
architectural and sculptural monuments than all of the other dynastic
periods combined. The majority of the construction took place around
the capital city of Thebes. During Dynasty 18 there was a radical
change in the traditional Egyptian culture. This challenge came during
the reign of Amenhotep IV, who questioned the power of the priest
class and introduced the new form of religion closely associated with
the sun-disk god, Aten. Amenhotep changed his name to Akhenaten
and moved the capital to Tell-el-Amarna.
ARCHITECTURE - New Kingdom architecture was built on a
monumental scale. The temple became the most representative of the
Egyptian buildings, due to the tremendous power of the priest class.
The classic New Kingdom temple had seven elements, all arranged on
the same axis.Entry into the various rooms of the temple was based
upon social class.
 Great Temple of Amun Dynasty 19, (fig. 3-30), c1294-1212 BCE
 Temple of Amun, Pylon of Ramesses II Dynasty 19, (fig. 3-31),
c1279-1212 BCE
 Temples of Ramesses II and Nefertari Dynasty 19, (fig. 3-35), c12791212 BCE
 Funerary Temple of Hatshepsut, Deir el-Bahri, Dynasty 20, (fig. 333), c2009-1997 BCE
SCULPTURE & PAINTING - Sculptural monuments to the pharaohs,
designed as simplified cubic blocks became very popular during the New
Kingdom. The shape of the cube emphasized the belief that the "ka"
could find an eternal home within the block statue portraits. Wall
paintings also continued in the traditions established in earlier
kingdoms.
 Senmut with Princess Nefrua Dynasty 18, c1490-1460 BCE
AKHENATON AND THE AMARNA PERIOD
Amenhotep IV came to the throne in 1352 BCE. During his seventeen
year reign, the traditional Egyptian culture was challenged to its very
roots. Amenhotep IV founded a new religion that no longer honored
many gods, but focused on honoring a single supreme being, Aten, the
sun-disk god. Amenhotep IV changed his name in 1348 BCE to
Akhenaten and moved the capital from Thebes, north to Akhetaten
(modern name Tell-el-Amarna). In addition to changing the social and
religious nature of the civilization, a new style of art will characterize
the Amarna Period.
The art of the Amarna Period will reflect a new more naturalistic
approach in the rendering of the human figure. Artists will instill a new
sense of life in their reliefs, wall paintings, statuary,
 Akhenaten and His Family Dynasty 18, (fig. 3-36), 1348-1336/5 BCE
 Queen Tiy Dynasty 18, (fig. 3-37), c1390-1352 BCE
 Queen Nefertiti Dynasty 18, (fig. 3-38) c1348-1336
Tutankhamen and the Post-Amarna Period
The discovery of the tomb of King Tutanhamen in 1922 has told
archaeologists and art historians more about the Amarna style than any
other source. Perhaps the greatest aspect of the tomb's discovery was
the young king's royal mummy that was placed in the inner most
chamber of three nesting coffins. The mummy's actual coffin was made
of one quarter ton of gold, inlaid with precious stones.
 Innermost Coffin of King Tutankhamen Dynasty 18, (fig. 3-40),
c1325 BCE
 Death Mask of Tutankhamen Dynasty 18, (fig. 3-41), c1325 BCE
 Painted Chest Dynasty 18, (fig. 3-42), c1325 BCE