Ancient Egyptian art focused on themes of longevity, idealized representations of figures, and ensuring success in the afterlife. Artistic conventions included hierarchical scaling and combining views. The gods were associated with animals to convey supernatural powers. Tomb architecture evolved from mastabas to step pyramids to the Great Pyramids at Giza, demonstrating advanced engineering. Funerary sculptures and wall paintings stocked tombs to assist the deceased's ka in the afterlife.

1. Art of Ancient Egypt

2. Major Themes
• Longevity, Constancy and Stability
• Egyptians believed that the only difference
between living beings and art was that the art
would be around forever
• Conventions in Art
– Hierarchy of Scale
– Composite View
– Use of writing in art (hieroglyphics- pictoral signs

3. Major Themes, cont.
• Idealized representations
– Rarely with identifying features
• Cycles of Life
• Role of the Gods
– Association of divine powers with animals
• Highlight supernatural energy and powers of the gods
visually

4. Palette of Narmer

6. Afterlife
• Daily interaction between the body, the ka, and
the ba
• The body – mummified (last forever)
• The Ka –life force (needs constant sustenance)
• The Ba – everything that makes the human
himself without the body, connection between
earth and afterlife
• Daily cycle of rebirth
– Each night the ba would rejoin the mummy in the
tomb and be reunited with the ka and come to life
again

7. Tomb Architecture
• Overwhelming concern for the afterlife
• Developed from mastaba to step pyramid
then to the pyramids we recognize today
– Great Pyramids at Giza were constructed in 4th
Dynasty of the Old Kingdom
• Evidence of advanced engineering and large
labor force

8. Tomb Architecture
Mastaba  Step Pyramid  Bent Pyramid

9. Great Pyramids of Giza
c. 2550-2490 BCE

10. Great Pyramids at Giza
• Part of massive tomb complex
• Elaborate internal plans with false passageways
• Originally faced in white limestone
• Meant to echo sun’s rays
• Filled with funerary statues
– Meant to serve as the body if the mummified body is
stolen
• Relief sculpture and wall paintings of everyday
life
– Meant to assist ka with afterlife journey

11. Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut
c. 1473-1458 BCE

12. Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut
• Tomb Architecture of the New Kingdom
• Carved out of rock face
• Equally monumental
• Collonaded terraces

13. Funerary Sculpture
King Menukaure and
Queen
2490-2472 B.C.E.

14. Close up of Faces

15. Funerary Sculpture
Large Kneeling
Statue of
Hatshepsut with
Offering Jars
1479-58 B.C.E.