Ancient art of Egypt: Imagery [CHRONOLOGICAL]

Question 1

When does the Gebel el-Arak Knife originate? What does the piece provide to the context of Egyptian art?

Answer 1

Pre-dynastic period; Hippo tooth (ivory) (c.3450-2650 BCE.)
- Widely used motif (iconography)- “master of animals”–> presents kingship (In references to the man fighting lions)
- Cultural Exchange of Mesopotamia–> includes warfare scenes (hand to hand combat).
- Loosely defined registers.

Question 2

When does the Pallette of Namar originate? What does the piece provide to the context of Egyptian art?

Answer 2

Early dynastic period: (green schist) (c.3000-2900 BCE.)
- Sandal Bearer: Holds the king sandals while he stands on sacred ground.
- Wear the white club crown of upper Egypt; also wears the red crown w/spiral of lower Egypt –> Presents the unification of both lower and upper Egypt.
- Includes royal attributes; kilt, beard, crown, and bull tail.

Question 3

When does the Khafre enthroned originate? What does the piece provide to the context of Egyptian art?

Answer 3

Old Kingdom (c. 2450-2325 BCE)
- Stiff posing; muscular aperture; presents youth and vitality; often idealistic representation of royal elite
- Beard, Kilt, Nemeses headdress= Elite power

Question 4

When does the Seated Scribe originate? What does the piece provide to the context of Egyptian art?

Answer 4

Old Kingdom (c.2450-2325 BCE)
- Individual likeness and human presence; Relaxed/ realistic (naturalistic pose)–> probably not of the elite world/ not as much power than the king
- Has a fleshy aperture/ not muscular= probably didn’t endure physically labor

Question 5

When does the Great Pyramids of Giza originate? What does the piece provide to the context of Egyptian art?

Answer 5

Old Kingdom (c. 2575-2450 BCE)
- Religious connotation: slanting sides indicate sun-rays–> deceased king (pharaoh) would rejoin the sun god Ra.
- Funerary temple–>: tomb chamber

Question 6

When does the Senwosret III as Sphinx originate? What does the piece provide to the context of Egyptian art?

Answer 6

Middle Kingdom (c. 1878-1840 BCE)
- Presentation of animal strength with human intelligence (continuous idea through the Middle Kingdom)
- Difference: portraits presents hardships; sadden/burden; reassure w/royal rule returning.

Question 7

When does the Stele of Mentuwoser ? What does the piece provide to the context of Egyptian art?

Answer 7

Middle Kingdom (c. 1944 BCE)
- Funerary steel prompt care from tributes to deceased; grid(mathematical) usage–> food= provided for in the afterlife.
- Hierarchy of scale–>composite pose/ skin-tones differing between male and female.

Question 8

When does the Colossal portrait of Akhenaten originate? What does the piece provide to the context of Egyptian art?e

Answer 8

New Kingdom (Amarana Period) (c.1540-1070 BCE)
-New stylization: Fleshy aperture, large hips–> perceived androgyny.
- Monotheistic religion
- When women rules–> portrayed using male iconography

Question 9

When does the Judgement of Hunfer before Osiris originate? What does the piece provide to the context of Egyptian art?

Answer 9

New Kingdom (c.1285 BCE)
- Ankh (loops)( everlasting life )
–> books of spells protect the deceased in the after-life ; funerary context/ anamphamorphic creatures
- Anubis (jackal head god)of emblaming and cemeteries
- Ammit, eater of the dead(croc/lion/hippo)
- Feather of truth ma’am (balancing scale)