Ancient Egyptian art is so beautiful, colorful and important because the Egyptians believed the
dead had a second life called the afterlife. The Egyptians thought the spirit came out of the body and
roamed the tombs, so they loved to decorate the tomb with instructions,
important events and necessities of a living person. They thought that the spirit looked at the instructions,
maps and spells from The Book of the Dead on the walls to survive in the
afterlife. They also thought that if they painted food and drinks like water,
bread and meat the deceased would eat it so they wouldn’t starve. Finally, the deceased looked at the
important events from their life which reassured them about their
greatness through the important events that they attended. This was supposed to amuse the deceased
until they left for the afterlife.
This was important for the deceased’s survival and happiness.
Egyptian artwork is not for decoration
Egyptian art is not for decoration; it is important because it helps the dead survive in the afterlife. They made sculptures called Ushabtis (miniature mummies) that where around 30 cm long. The Ushabtis where supposed to be a guardian for the pharaoh or the deceased. It was usually a nurse or a vizier. There is some art that is for the spirits pleasure before the spirit is welcomed into the afterlife. There were usually important events from this person’s life for him or her to look at with pleasure. This artwork is so important because some of it is to help the deceased survive and live a happy afterlife and the other work is for the spirits pleasure.
Egyptian art is not for decoration; it is important because it helps the dead survive in the afterlife. They made sculptures called Ushabtis (miniature mummies) that where around 30 cm long. The Ushabtis where supposed to be a guardian for the pharaoh or the deceased. It was usually a nurse or a vizier. There is some art that is for the spirits pleasure before the spirit is welcomed into the afterlife. There were usually important events from this person’s life for him or her to look at with pleasure. This artwork is so important because some of it is to help the deceased survive and live a happy afterlife and the other work is for the spirits pleasure.
Egyptian objects
Many objects and artifacts are important because the Egyptians believed in an afterlife and wanted the deceased to have a good eternal afterlife. One very important artifact is the canopic jars. The canopic jars were important because they preserved the internal organs for the afterlife. The organs were put in decorated jars and then later put in a larger box to be protected. Another artifact to help the deceased in the afterlife is the coffin or sarcophagus. It is highly decorated with given instructions from The Book of the Dead . Another very important artifact is the statue. The statues are of animals, gods, and important people like a statue of pharaoh "Hatshepsut" in her tomb. There are also a mix between animals and humans and one is called the sphinx which is a mix between a lion and a pharaoh. These artifacts are important because they show that the Egyptians wanted the deceased to have a good afterlife and to be preserved very nicely.
Many objects and artifacts are important because the Egyptians believed in an afterlife and wanted the deceased to have a good eternal afterlife. One very important artifact is the canopic jars. The canopic jars were important because they preserved the internal organs for the afterlife. The organs were put in decorated jars and then later put in a larger box to be protected. Another artifact to help the deceased in the afterlife is the coffin or sarcophagus. It is highly decorated with given instructions from The Book of the Dead . Another very important artifact is the statue. The statues are of animals, gods, and important people like a statue of pharaoh "Hatshepsut" in her tomb. There are also a mix between animals and humans and one is called the sphinx which is a mix between a lion and a pharaoh. These artifacts are important because they show that the Egyptians wanted the deceased to have a good afterlife and to be preserved very nicely.
What did the Egyptians paint in the tombs?
Ancient Egyptian art inside tombs is important because it shows us their history and the daily life and the afterlife of the Egyptians. The artisans painted spells and instructions from The Book of the Dead to help the deceased in the afterlife. The artisans also painted the daily life or special occasions that this person attended. Finally the artisans painted the necessities of a living person like water, wine, bread, soup and many other foods and drinks. This all helps the deceased survive in the eternal afterlife by giving them necessities, instructions and reassurance.
Ancient Egyptian art inside tombs is important because it shows us their history and the daily life and the afterlife of the Egyptians. The artisans painted spells and instructions from The Book of the Dead to help the deceased in the afterlife. The artisans also painted the daily life or special occasions that this person attended. Finally the artisans painted the necessities of a living person like water, wine, bread, soup and many other foods and drinks. This all helps the deceased survive in the eternal afterlife by giving them necessities, instructions and reassurance.
The Artisans
The craftsman or artisans were important because they helped the deceased live well in the afterlife by painting, carving, and sculpting instructions and necessities. The artisans used many different spells from The Book of the Dead. They also used maps and instructions to help them survive in the afterlife. The artisans make the sculptures of the gods, animals and pharaohs like a sculpture of a cat or of king Tut. They also made paintings and carvings too. Artisans actually might have had to ask scribes for spells and instructions and maps also from The Book of the Dead so they could paint it inside of the tomb. The artisans were important because they technically finish the tomb by making it beautiful and worthy for the deceased to go to the afterlife.
The craftsman or artisans were important because they helped the deceased live well in the afterlife by painting, carving, and sculpting instructions and necessities. The artisans used many different spells from The Book of the Dead. They also used maps and instructions to help them survive in the afterlife. The artisans make the sculptures of the gods, animals and pharaohs like a sculpture of a cat or of king Tut. They also made paintings and carvings too. Artisans actually might have had to ask scribes for spells and instructions and maps also from The Book of the Dead so they could paint it inside of the tomb. The artisans were important because they technically finish the tomb by making it beautiful and worthy for the deceased to go to the afterlife.
Who made the art and what it was for?
Many people made, bought and sold the art in ancient Egypt because it was a huge influence on their society when it was discovered. Almost all of the Pharaohs houses were decorated with religious symbols and art. The Pharaoh was one of the main customers who bought the art, but also many other wealthy people from the upper and middle class bought it to. The art makers were called craftsmen. The craftsmen had to be professionally trained to make and sell art, especially when they were decorating a tomb for the Pharaoh or royal family member. This was a very important step in the progress of their civilization because people in the middle to lower class rarely got professional training, and so the ancient Egyptian people had believed that art should always have been perfect. This was a huge step in their civilization.
Many people made, bought and sold the art in ancient Egypt because it was a huge influence on their society when it was discovered. Almost all of the Pharaohs houses were decorated with religious symbols and art. The Pharaoh was one of the main customers who bought the art, but also many other wealthy people from the upper and middle class bought it to. The art makers were called craftsmen. The craftsmen had to be professionally trained to make and sell art, especially when they were decorating a tomb for the Pharaoh or royal family member. This was a very important step in the progress of their civilization because people in the middle to lower class rarely got professional training, and so the ancient Egyptian people had believed that art should always have been perfect. This was a huge step in their civilization.
What the Colors Meant or Represented
All of the colors ancient Egyptians used meant something to them. Red meant blood, anger, and war, while blue meant calm, peace, water, and power. Yellow meant life forever, and black meant death or the night. The color gold was used a lot in paintings because it meant power, importance, and wealth. Pharaohs were almost always painted in gold so that anybody who saw the picture immediately knew they were the Pharaoh and they were very wealthy. Using different colors helped a person know what was happening in the picture, but only if the person seeing the picture knew what the colors represented. Colors meant a lot to the Egyptians because they told a story about the person or scene in the picture painted.
Color of Paint
Paint and colors were very important to the ancient Egyptians because they all represented something; a natural cause, importance of social class, items, and who you were. These were all important because they were icons; they showed life, prosperity, power, and water. Some of the figures they painted were pharaohs, water, trees, and fruit. When people were being painted at war, each person would be painted with a different skin tone because they wanted very one to stand out. If they were not painted with a different skin tone, it would look like a huge collage of men. Details were obviously important, they wanted everything to seem distinct, and clear. Paint and colors were a big part in their civilization.
All of the colors ancient Egyptians used meant something to them. Red meant blood, anger, and war, while blue meant calm, peace, water, and power. Yellow meant life forever, and black meant death or the night. The color gold was used a lot in paintings because it meant power, importance, and wealth. Pharaohs were almost always painted in gold so that anybody who saw the picture immediately knew they were the Pharaoh and they were very wealthy. Using different colors helped a person know what was happening in the picture, but only if the person seeing the picture knew what the colors represented. Colors meant a lot to the Egyptians because they told a story about the person or scene in the picture painted.
Color of Paint
Paint and colors were very important to the ancient Egyptians because they all represented something; a natural cause, importance of social class, items, and who you were. These were all important because they were icons; they showed life, prosperity, power, and water. Some of the figures they painted were pharaohs, water, trees, and fruit. When people were being painted at war, each person would be painted with a different skin tone because they wanted very one to stand out. If they were not painted with a different skin tone, it would look like a huge collage of men. Details were obviously important, they wanted everything to seem distinct, and clear. Paint and colors were a big part in their civilization.
Who paid for the Art
People who sold art were paid small amounts of money, but a lot of art was maid and so they had just enough money to get by. Anybody who wanted to buy art could buy it, but the smaller amount of money offered, the smaller size art or less detailed the art got. The highest paid job for an artist was decorating a tomb for the pharaoh, because it took the longest time and required the most skill. Art was very important because it helped encourage trade and progress as a community.
People who sold art were paid small amounts of money, but a lot of art was maid and so they had just enough money to get by. Anybody who wanted to buy art could buy it, but the smaller amount of money offered, the smaller size art or less detailed the art got. The highest paid job for an artist was decorating a tomb for the pharaoh, because it took the longest time and required the most skill. Art was very important because it helped encourage trade and progress as a community.
Tools and Materials
There are many tools and materials that were used in the process of painting. For carving into a rock, tools like copper, wood, and other metals were used. All the paint that the Egyptians used was from natural minerals found in the deserts surrounding them. Minerals they used were copper, chalk, charcoal, iron, silica, burnt animal bones, stone, and gypsum. They painted in tombs, but also on papyrus and stone. Egyptian art wasn’t always a decoration; it was for religious purposes too. They would use a sharpened wooden spear or strings of the papyrus plant to paint. Tools and materials played a big role in their civilization because without them, paint and art may not have been discovered for a very long time.
There are many tools and materials that were used in the process of painting. For carving into a rock, tools like copper, wood, and other metals were used. All the paint that the Egyptians used was from natural minerals found in the deserts surrounding them. Minerals they used were copper, chalk, charcoal, iron, silica, burnt animal bones, stone, and gypsum. They painted in tombs, but also on papyrus and stone. Egyptian art wasn’t always a decoration; it was for religious purposes too. They would use a sharpened wooden spear or strings of the papyrus plant to paint. Tools and materials played a big role in their civilization because without them, paint and art may not have been discovered for a very long time.
As you can see in the picture, the ancient Egyptian artists carved statures out of rock. In this picture, there are four of the most important gods that ever ruled. It could be inside a temple, or maybe the inside of a tomb, next to a very important pharaoh.
This picture is about somebody from the royal family being mummified. There is a priest helping the god, Kha. The priest is on the far right, Kha is to his left.
Bailey Short
6G-2
2-8-11
· Silvester, Nicole Egypt: Art and Architecture http://www2.sptimes.com/egyptcredit.4.4.html I accessed this article on 1-28-11
· Bryne, Stephen Tomb Paintings: Art of the Afterlife http://heritage-key.com/egypt/tomb/paintings-art-afterlife
· Funerary Objects http://www.reshafim.org.il/ad/egypt/funerary_practices/funerary_objects.htm I accessed this article on 1-28-11
· Statuette of the god Anubis, fragment of a battle scene, Section from The Book of the Dead, Canopic jar with a lid I the shape of a royal woman’s head, Coffin of a middle kingdom official and a statue of “Hatshepsut” (online images) available at http://www.metmuseum.org/explore/newegypt/htm/a_wrks_1.htm I accessed these images on 11-27-11
· Boat from the tomb of Amenhotep II, Sphinx of Thutmose III, Thutmose III,-Eighteenth Dynasty, Funerary mask of Wenudjebauendjed, Canopic jars of prince Homakht, Falcon collar of princess Neferuptah, Coffin lid of Isis-em-akhbit, Chair from tomb of Yuya and Tuya, and the Canopic chest of queen Nedjmet (online image) available at http://www.nga.gov/exhicitions/2002/egypt/imagelist.shtm
· Art for the Afterlife: The Functions of the Egyptian Tomb Painting http://www.suite101.com/content/art-for-the-afterlife-a154031 I accessed this website on 1-28-11
6G-2
2-8-11
· Silvester, Nicole Egypt: Art and Architecture http://www2.sptimes.com/egyptcredit.4.4.html I accessed this article on 1-28-11
· Bryne, Stephen Tomb Paintings: Art of the Afterlife http://heritage-key.com/egypt/tomb/paintings-art-afterlife
· Funerary Objects http://www.reshafim.org.il/ad/egypt/funerary_practices/funerary_objects.htm I accessed this article on 1-28-11
· Statuette of the god Anubis, fragment of a battle scene, Section from The Book of the Dead, Canopic jar with a lid I the shape of a royal woman’s head, Coffin of a middle kingdom official and a statue of “Hatshepsut” (online images) available at http://www.metmuseum.org/explore/newegypt/htm/a_wrks_1.htm I accessed these images on 11-27-11
· Boat from the tomb of Amenhotep II, Sphinx of Thutmose III, Thutmose III,-Eighteenth Dynasty, Funerary mask of Wenudjebauendjed, Canopic jars of prince Homakht, Falcon collar of princess Neferuptah, Coffin lid of Isis-em-akhbit, Chair from tomb of Yuya and Tuya, and the Canopic chest of queen Nedjmet (online image) available at http://www.nga.gov/exhicitions/2002/egypt/imagelist.shtm
· Art for the Afterlife: The Functions of the Egyptian Tomb Painting http://www.suite101.com/content/art-for-the-afterlife-a154031 I accessed this website on 1-28-11
Janey's Bibliography :)
1) The Narmer Palette
www.reshafim.org
Reverse Side
1/28/11
2) The Art of Ancient Egypt
www.kyrene.org
Nesima
1/28/11
3) Ancient Egyptian Art
www.visual-arts-cork.com
No Author Available
1/28/11
4) Colors
www.metmuseum.org
No Author Available
1/28/11
5) Ancient Egypt; The Mythology
www.egyptianmyths.com
No Author
1/28/11
6) Ancient Egyptian Portrayer
www.reshefim.org
Nesima
1/28/11
7) Colors and Techniques
www.reshafim.org
Nesima
1) The Narmer Palette
www.reshafim.org
Reverse Side
1/28/11
2) The Art of Ancient Egypt
www.kyrene.org
Nesima
1/28/11
3) Ancient Egyptian Art
www.visual-arts-cork.com
No Author Available
1/28/11
4) Colors
www.metmuseum.org
No Author Available
1/28/11
5) Ancient Egypt; The Mythology
www.egyptianmyths.com
No Author
1/28/11
6) Ancient Egyptian Portrayer
www.reshefim.org
Nesima
1/28/11
7) Colors and Techniques
www.reshafim.org
Nesima
Janey's Research Questions
1) Who made the art?
2) Why was it so important?
3) What colors of paint did they use?
4) What did the colors represent?
5) What tools did they use?
6) Did you have to be a proffesional arrist?
1) Who made the art?
2) Why was it so important?
3) What colors of paint did they use?
4) What did the colors represent?
5) What tools did they use?
6) Did you have to be a proffesional arrist?
This is a website created by Janey Richert and Bailey Short
