2. Egyptian Art
The principal message of
Egyptian art is continuity. The Sphinx
is the symbol of this most important
characteristic of Egyptian art. It
reflects stability, order, and
endurance. Built about 2530 BCE
with 65 feet in height, facing the
rising sun, it seems to cast its
immobilize gaze down the centuries
for eternity. The Sphinx has the body
of a reclining lion and the head of a
man. It is believed to be the pharoah
Chefren whose pyramid tomb is just
nearby.
3. The pyramids were also outstanding structures built by
thousands of peasant without using modern technology.
The Sphinx and the Great Pyramid of Giza, Egypt
4. Another earlier relic from
Egyptian culture is the so-called
Palatte of King Narmer. It illustrates
many characteristics of Egyptian
art. The Palette of King Narmer
was an elaborate, formalize
version of a utilitarian object during
the pre-dynastic period. This tablet
was the early blueprint of the
formula of figure representation
that ruled Egyptian art for 3000
years. This tablet states the basic
laws that will govern Egyptian art
for thousands of years.
Palette of King narmer
5. A common sculpture
type from that period is the
Seated Scribe depicting a
high court official. This
sculpture is symmetrical or
proportioned and reserved.
The scribe’s face shows
intelligence and dignity
while the body depicts
wisdom.
The Seated Scribe
6. The Egyptian painting shows
clear visual design and illustrative
skill as the works in stone. The
wall painting from Thebes painting
depicts hunting scene . The
hunter’s body is stylized, with the
eyes, head, torso, and legs shown
from the most advantageous
viewpoint. Following the
Egyptian’s love detail, the painter
draws the birds and other
creatures with almost biological
precision.
7. The Egyptians were able to preserve
many of their artworks because their culture
meets all the four conditions listed earlier in
this unit. This is because the artists worked
on durable materials, the climate was hot and
dry, the population was stable , and the
Egyptian buried their finest arts with the dead.
8. The Egyptian had a custom that decreed
that important person like the king must be
fitted out lavishly for the afterlife with jewelry,
furnishing, and artifacts of all kinds made
from the richest available materials. These
objects were supposed to stay entombed with
the dead for all eternity.
9. Greek Art
The ancient Greek art includes
much pottery, sculpture, as well as
architecture. Their architecture and
sculpture have influenced later
periods in the history of Western art.
10. The Greek serenity of spirit, love of
logic, and joy in life are clearly reflected
in their art. Their temple is really planned
and perfected architectural form. The
Greek used marbles to build their
temples.
11. The Erechtheum is an ancient Greek temple of Ionic style
on the north side of the Acropolis of Athens. The temple as seen
today was built between 421 and 407
12. Very few cultures can equal the Greeks in their elaborate painting of
vases, which represent a major part of their artistic production. Much of the
vase’s decoration consists of geometric lines and patterns, including the
stroll pattern that runs around the top under the rim. Images of people are
little more than stick figures incorporated wonderfully in the overall
geometric design.
13. Ancient Greek paintings are
found on surviving pottery. The
amphora was used by the Greeks
as a grave marker. They also
used these vases as prizes at the
games in Athens every summer.
They filled these vases with olive
oil and awarded them to the
champion athletes.
14. • Archaic Period
Greek sculpture is known for the
contrapposto (counterpoise) standing
of the figures. The art of Ancient
Greece is usually divided stylistically
into three periods: the Archaic, the
Classical, and the Hellenistic.
16. The earliest kouros strictly followed the Egyptian geometric
norm with these characteristics:
Figures were cubic
Starkly frontal
Broad-shouldered
Narrow-waisted
Arms were held close to the sides
First usually clenched
Both feet firmly planted on the ground
Knees rigid, with the left foot slightly advanced
17. • Early Classical Period
Early classical kouros are characterized by:
-Anatomical precision
-Realism
20. • Hellenistic Art
A number of the best-known works of Greek
sculpture belong to this period including “Laocoon
and His Sons”, “Venus de Milo,” and “Winged
Victory of Samothrace”. In artistic terms, this
means that there is huge variety which is often put
under the heading of “Hellenistic Art” for
convenience.
21. In sculpture, Hellenestic artists copied and
adapted earlier styles, and also made great
innovations. Hellenistic artists perfected
sculpture-in-the-round. Viewer can see the
statue in all angles, artists considered also the
draping and effects of transparency of clothing
and the flexibility of poses. Rome was a center
of Hellenistic art production, and numerous
Greek artists came there to work.
25. Greek sculpture was
stiff and awkward at first
but after some time,
sculptors learned the skill
and so became more
confident in making lifelike
and natural sculpture.
They used marbles in
carving in painted its
surface to create a realistic
look.
Statue of Athena
26. Their greatest sculptor is Phidias. He
made the magnificent statue of
Athena for Parthenon. This 40 feet
statue is made up of gold and ivory.
You can see the changes in sculptor’s
representation of human figure in this
statue of Athena.
27. Roman Art
The Romans were
influenced by the Greek’s ideas
about art. Many of the most
significant Greek artworks
survive by virtue of their Roman
interpretation and imitation.
28. • Architecture
Roman architecture was
formed mostly under the
influence of Hellenic and
Etruscan architecture. The first
roman temples were erected
during the reigns of Etruscan
kings. In those times, Roman
learned how to cast bronze and
bake terracotta. They also got
acquainted with arch
constructions and vaults.
29. Romans owe the Corinthian
style to Greeks. But they created
the composite style on their own.
They also invented cement
produced from lime and volcano,
ashes, water, and fine stones. That
made them master the technique of
producing mortars and plasters.
The skill of baking bricks they
learned in the 2nd century BC,
contributed to a breakthrough in
Roman art.
30. • Bust and Sculpture
The most popular types of sculpture
in Ancient Rome was the bust. This is a
sculpture of just the head. Rich Romans
would put the busts of their ancestors in
the atrium of their homes. This was a way
for them to show off their ancestry.
