Art in Focus

Chapter 7: The art of Ancient Egypt

Lesson Summaries-English

          The ancient Egyptians built huge tombs and temples along the Nile River. They also invented the harp and developed other arts such as dance and theater.

Lesson 1
The Growth of Egyptian Civilization

          The ancestors of modern Egyptians settled in the fertile Nile River Valley around 5000 B.C. After the early inhabitants had settled into villages, some villages grew large and took control of their neighbors, forming kingdoms. At the end of the prehistoric period there were two major kingdoms. One was Lower Egypt, at the mouth of the Nile in the north. The other was Upper Egypt, the river valley to the south.

          For six thousand years, Egypt was a thriving nation governed by supreme rulers known as pharaohs. The history of Egypt is divided into three periods, with different dynasties, or ruling families. The first period, the Old Kingdom, began around 3100 B.C. when Upper and Lower Egypt were united by the pharaoh Menes. Later the Middle Kingdom was formed when nobles in the city of Thebes gained control of the country. The third and most brilliant period, the New Kingdom, saw the birth of a new religion dedicated to one supreme god. Then Alexander the Great conquered Egypt, ending its time of greatness.

          The solid limestone pyramids of Egypt were built as tombs for the dead pharaohs. Ancient Egyptians believed that the body of the pharaoh had to be carefully preserved so that the spirit could go safely into the afterlife. The shape of the pyramid evolved from earlier low, flat tombs. The large pyramids are from the Old Kingdom, when the rulers were strong enough to control thousands of workers. In the New Kingdom, great temples were built and dedicated to each pharaoh’s favorite god or gods.

Lesson 2
Egyptian Sculpture and Painting

          The Egyptian pyramids housed sculptures and paintings that have survived over the centuries. Stone sculptures of each pharaoh served as a substitute for his body if it was destroyed. Freestanding statues of pharaohs from the Old Kingdom, such as the Great Sphinx, are strong and dignified. Portraits of pharaohs from the Middle Kingdom show them more as individuals. During the New Kingdom, sculptors created a variety of works. Portraits of the pharaoh Akhenaton depict him realistically.

          Relief sculptures were also created in Egypt. Rules required that all body parts be shown from the most familiar point of view, so certain body parts are shown from the front while others appear in profile. Also, all body parts had to be shown completely and correctly. Sculptures were made of a ruler’s loved ones and servants to accompany him in the afterlife. During the Middle Kingdom, paintings replaced painted relief sculptures on tomb walls. The pictures were arranged in horizontal bands and created using bright colors. They continued to follow the standard rules for Egyptian art. The paintings also included hieroglyphics, an early form of picture writing. With their pyramids, profile figures, and hieroglyphics, Egyptian artists created a unique style that can be easily recognized today, thousands of years later.