Extended Diploma in art and design 2014 : Ancient Egyptian Art

Before the Pharoahs existed the Predynastic Period. For the artist the repertoire of symbols available were small and inspired by nature. The natural environment gave the artist not only the choice of subjects but also raw materials such as clay and stone.

Clay was used to make pots and votive figures made to be put in graves. Many objects were made for everyday uses such as the shiny red pots with a black mouth (Naqadah Phase). This model was widespread because many examples of this type of pottery were found in an excellent state. The oldest ceramics also includes pots of red clay with white geometric decorations. Pots made of pale clay painted with dark red motifs. These pots were decorated with geometric patterns, like spirals, triangles, wavy lines and plant elements with stylised traits. Other articles made of clay were statues of human beings for votive use like the famous Merimda head or the figurine of a woman with raised arms.

Jar with painted decoration

The carving of vases and votive tablets out of stone developed at the same as the clay. The subjects, elements and forms were the same used as in the medium of clay. The technique of working stone reached a very high quality. Typical vases were animal shaped, fish, turtles ,birds and antelopes. The vase was extremely stylised turning almost to an abstract, geometrical form. The legs and head functioned as supports or handles. Carved from the hardest stone they were always perfectly smooth.

Vase in the form of a bird

The beginning of the Pharaonic period dates shortly before 3000 BC. The Egyptians were very religious and their belief in life after death was an important part of their culture. They mummified their dead using a special process.

They built pyramids,enormous temples, tombs and large statues. They were designed with absolute precision and astonishing scale.

Gods were portrayed as combinations of animal forms or natural elements.
Wall carvings or relief sculpture decorated the tombs and temples with scenes from everyday life such as sports, hunting and crafts. Hieroglyphs were sometimes included in the art work.
The paintings and sculptures were highly symbolic depicting scenes from nature.

The Egyptian artist had to obey very strict laws of the Egyptian style. Seated statues had to have their hands on their knees; men had to be painted with darker skin than women; the appearance of every Egyptian god, was strictly laid down: Horus, the sky god had to be shown as a falcon or with a falcon's head ; Anubis , the god of funeral rites, as a jackal or with a jackal's head.

On wall paintings or relief sculptures the figure also had to follow rules. They drew the head in profile, a full- face eye was drawn on the side of the face. The shoulders and chest were seen from the front and arms and legs sideways.This makes them look strangely flat and contorted.