EGYPTIAN ART

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EGYPTIAN ART 3000 B.C.- 1000 B.C.
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Farming communities formed along the Nile
during the Neolithic period - before 7000 B.C.

From approximately 3000 B.C., Egypt was
ruled by Pharaohs (kings). Artists worked for
the state and its rulers. They had to work under
strict rules and guidelines regarding what kind
of art they could make.
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Egyptian art is said to be timeless. For
nearly 3,000 years artists used many
of the same artistic rules made by priests.
In wall sculptures and paintings, figures are
shown in an unnatural way. We have
learned a great deal about everyday
Egyptian life from the paintings and artifacts
that have been found in tombs.
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• Vocabulary words
• Pharaoh

King of Egypt (thought to be a God) - means
Great house who shelters all his people.

• Book of the Dead

To help the dead on their journey to the
after-life. Contained about 200 spells.
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• Ka

The invisible soul of a dead person that
goes to the after-life. It is kept alive
by grave offerings from the living.

• Hieroglyphics

Egyptian writing made up of pictograms.

• Cartouche

An oval or oblong frame that encircles a
rulers name.
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• Papyrus

Early form of paper made from the papyrus plant.
Strips were placed together, then beaten flat.

• Tomb murals

Paintings of a persons life in his/her tomb.

• Linear picture plane

All the forms are in line. No background or
foreground.
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• Horror vacui

Fear of empty spaces. Art crowded with figures.

• Hierarchical scale

Art showing more important figures larger
than less important figures.

• Scribe
• A man who wrote on papyrus or carved into
• walls. Like a secretary, performed any
• writing duties.

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Web Links
Main Map of Ancient Egypt http//emuseum.mnsu.edu
/prehistory/egypt/maps/mainmap.html
Ancient Egyptian Culture http//emuseum.mnsu.edu/
prehistory/egypt/archaeology/index.html
Alabaster Canopic Jar Lids http//members.aol.com
/egyptold/jar.html
MyStudios - Egyptian Art http//www.mystudios.com
/art/ancient/egyptian/egyptian.html