The Human Form in Egypt

The Human Form in Egypt

The Oldest Egyptian Art: Pre-dynastic paintings from 3500 BCE. Already representing a funerary scene. Stick figures are reminiscent of Catal Hoyuk. Mesopotamian influences also evident. Predynastic, Early Dynasties, and the Old Kingdom

The Unification of Egypt: Division between Upper and Lower Egypt was geographic as well as political. The Narmer “palette” dates this at 2920 BCE, but thought to have taken severalcenturies to complete.. A palette was, in its simplest form, a surface to prepare eye makeup. [used for protection against the sun] Predynastic, Early Dynasties, and the Old Kingdom

Narmer’s Palette: Important as a document, but also as a template for representing the human figure that lasted for 3,000 years The goddess Hathor is at the top of both sides, represented as a cow with a woman’s face • Motif on the back resembles the lower left group in the Hierakonpolis painting & became the formula for representing triumph of the god-kings over their enemies. Predynastic, Early Dynasties, and the Old Kingdom

Narmer’s Palette: The elongated necks of two felines form the circular depression where the eye makeup would be placed. The intertwined necks may be a reference to Egypt’s unification. Portraying the Human Figure: useda conventionfrom Mesopotamia & also seen earlier head, legs, arms in profile -- eyes, torso in frontal view Introduction of “registers” [a kind of ground line] Predynastic, Early Dynasties, and the Old Kingdom

Bowling pin hat= Upper Egypt Horus= Kings Protector Man= Lower Egypt

Catfish= Nar Chisel=mer Frame around represents the royal palace Crown= Lower Egypt Bull = Represents the kings strength taking over other cities

Tombs included images of the deceased for the ka’sabode in case the mummy was destroyed. Statue of Khafre Stone is diorite Symbolism includes: -- Throne of two stylized lion’s bodies Intertwined lotus & papyrus representing union of Egypt. Horus spreads falcon wings behind his head to protect him. Headdress has royal cobra on front. Sculptural Forms: Statues for Eternity ca. 2520-2494

Statue of Khafre Wearing his royal false beard Represented in ideal form and flawless face. Form manifests purpose: to last for eternity. Characteristics of the style: Bilaterally symmetrical Frontal pose Idealized body and features Compact and solid with few projecting parts Sculptural Forms: Statues for Eternity

Menkaure & one of his wives. This standing statue was one of the basic formulaic types. Stood in the valley temple of his pyramid complex. Also shows how close to the stone block shape these statues were. Pose is rigidly frontal – use of conventional poses to suggest timeless nature of these substitute homes for the ka. The wife’s pose symbolizes their marital status, but no emotion is expressed. Sculptural Forms: Statues for Eternity ca. 2490-2472

The scribe, Kay Differences show both the conventions of representation and his lower status than the pharaoh. [below] More relaxed in the 5th dynasty [on left] with increasedrealism. Sculptural Forms

From the mastaba of Ti, 5th dynasty The "canon of human proportions” An artist drew a grid on the wall, then placed various body parts at specific points on the network of squares. Each body part was a fixed number of squares. Artists did not sketch from life or show much variation on the canon. The canon lasted thousands of years. Egyptian Relief Conventions

The pyramid tombs so popular in the Old Kingdom were replaced by mountain tombs in the Middle Kingdom. How does the portrait of Senusret III reflect the changed political conditions of the Middle Kingdom? His mood is shown through the realism in the features, indicating expression by lines around the nose and eyes. The Middle Kingdom Senusret III ca. 1860 BCE

There were rock-cut tombs earlier, but the best preserved are from the Middle Kingdom. ca. 1950-1912 BCE Mountain Tombs: Beni Hasan

Tomb of Hatshepsut: With no male sons she acted as regent for Thutmose III, but eventually took over. Some evidence in a relief that Thutmose II had intended that she be queen. First recorded great female monarch. The Grand Mortuary Temples Hatshepsutc. 1492-1458 BCE

Ruled for 2/3 of a century. Was the last great warrior Pharaoh. Proud of his conquests,he put 4 images of himself on the temple façade. Not as refined as earlier work because of their size. Ramses II Tomb: Abu Simbel

Thebes: fresco secco: let the plaster dry before painting it. Figures are more active. Painting and the Tomb of Nebamun c. 1400-1350

Amarna style & figural representation: Figures were shown as more effeminate or androgynous, with curving contours and elongated forms rather than masculine and angular as in the old style. More individuality is allowed in portraits. Akhenatonc. 1353-1335 Akhenaton and the Amarna Period

What aspects of the head of Queen Tiye that reflect the Amarna style? Age is shown with lines and furrows. Her features are more individualized rather than exact to the canon’s proportions. She was sometimes shown equaling her husband in size at the temple of Aton. Amarna Period Queen Tiyec. 1353-1335

Early Kingdom Style-- Khafre Amarna Style—Akhenaton Statue Comparison

Akhenaton, Nefertiti & Daughters – Amarna Style Statue Comparison

The Human Form in Egypt