Transcript File - Jean Bordner Portfolio

1) When Egypt was first developed, it was separated into 2 main areas:
Lower Egypt
Upper Egypt
a) Region towards the mouth
a) The region where the valley is
of the Nile River
carved into the desert.
2) Soon Egypt established a Pharaoh (a ruler) and dynasties, because of this
Egyptian history was divided into three major periods:
a) The Old Kingdom 3,100 BC
b) The Middle Kingdom 2,000 BC
c) The New Kingdom
1,500 BC
3) There was a total of 31 dynasties during all 3 periods in Egyptian history.
Old Kingdom: Important Terms
1. Pharaoh: a ruler who would govern with complete authority.
2. Dynasty: was a period during which a single family provided a
succession of rulers.
3. Mastabas: Tombs that are flat-topped, single-story, trapezoidal
structures.
4. Sarcophagus: Stone coffin. **These protected the deceased
ruler/pharaoh’s mummy.
The Narmer Palette, also known as the Palette of Narmer,
is a significant Egyptian archeological find, dating from
about 3100 BC, containing some of the earliest
hieroglyphic inscriptions ever found. It is thought by
some to depict the unification of Upper and Lower Egypt
under the king Narmer. It is referred that the Narmer
Palette as "the first historical document in the world".[1]
Each side is divided into registers, or horizontal bands.
OLD KINGDOM
1)
2)
3)
The Old Kingdom began around 3100 B.C, it was the
richest and most creative period in Egyptian history.
Lower and Upper Egypt were brought together by the
pharaoh Menes.
All the pyramids were built at this time. The first to
build one was King Djoser himself.
Pyramid-building is mathematically not a complex
affair, but the Egyptians learned the art slowly. Djoser's
pyramid, called the Stepped Pyramid, is not a smooth
pyramid, but a series of six bases built one on top of
another.
4) What was the purpose/function of pyramids??
4)
5)
6)
7)
King Djoser hired an innovative royal architect by the
name of Imhotep to build his famous Stepped
Pyramid.
The Stepped Pyramid was a pyramid with stepped
construction by placing 6 mastaba-like structures of
decreasing size on top of each other.
**It’s important to know that Imotep has the honor
of being the first known artist in recorded history!
Even though the Stepped Pyramid resembles the
Sumerians ziggurats, the purpose of this structure is
much different. The Ziggurats were made out of mud
bricks whereas the Stepped Pyramid is a limestone
tomb designed to protect King Djoser’s mummy and
symbolize his godlike power.
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=pl
ayer_embedded&v=nRK6DTpX5Ts
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J2dpvGi
fK8E
ART ACTIVITY
**On the sheet provided, design YOUR version of a
Stepped Pyramid.
Keep the following in mind when designing your pyramid:
1) What will it look like on the A) outside and B) Inside and
C) below? You MUST draw all three views.
2) If you were constructing one for a Pharaoh, what would
your traps and secret passage ways look like and why?
What is your pyramid hiding besides the body? Below
your drawing give a description of your stepped
pyramid and your design
3) Be CREATIVE and INVENTIVE with your design and
layout! **Use the real ones you learned about as a
GUIDE to help create yours!
Importance of Kings/Pharaohs:
The Pharaoh or king played a very important
role in Egyptian life. Pharaohs were considered
the son of the sun god named Re. Because of
this pharaoh’s were seen as godlike and they
had absolute power. A pharaoh’s power did not
end when they died because Egyptians believe
that the pharaoh rejoined his solar father and
continued to influence life along the Nile. Egypt’s
monumental works of art were built to ensure the
pharaoh’s continuing goodwill.
Importance of Religion
1)
Religion was extremely important to ancient
Egyptians.
2) Their religion placed great importance on the
resurrection of the soul and having eternal life in a
spirit world after death.
3) They believed the human soul (also called the “Ka”)
came into being with the body and remained in the
body until death.
5) If a body were ever lost or destroyed the
“ka” would be left to spend eternity
wandering aimlessly.
6) Egyptians went to great lengths to preserve
and protect the body after death.
7) Egyptians had a complicated preservation
process: embalming and wrapping the
body in strips of cloth and then burying the
body in a fortress-like tomb. Example:
Mummies/Mummification
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a4PLBp
LBuCY
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BNk_c
mcj8LU
The Great Pyramids of Giza
1) The most important tombs were built for
the pharaohs.
2) Many of these tombs came in the form of
pyramids.
3) Pharaohs were given such elaborate tombs
because to the people they were expected
to join other gods after death.
4) These gods that they were expected to join were:
a) Re- Sun god
b) Osiris- God of the Nile/ruler of underworld
c) Isis- the great mother god
5) EACH pyramid was built to house and protect the
body of the pharaoh along with all his treasures,
etc.
6) The body was always sealed in a Sarcophagus- a
stone coffin.
7) Most of these pyramids contained dead end
passages, fake chambers, etc. to confuse robbers
and enemies. This was all in order to protect the
body so it made it to the after life.
1) The three largest and most famous pyramids
located in the valley consist of the Great
Pyramid of Khufu , the Pyramid of Kafhre
and the Pyramid of Menkaura. Each
Pyramid is a tomb dedicated to a different
king of Egypt. Unfortunately, like many of
the great kings of the Old Kingdom of
Egypt, the Pyramids of Menkaura, Khufu,
and Kafhre were not finished by the end of
each respective king's reign.
2) The whole complex/ area around these
3 pyramids are connected by a cause
way, to 3 valley temples and the
Sphnix, these in turn are linked by a
canal to the Nile.
3) It took thousands of workers decades
to complete a single pyramid.
4) Each pyramid was made from
limestone.
5) Each piece of limestone was carefully
lifted into place.
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6CpjMx
XG52s
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nxP46j
WYglI
Sculptures from the Old Kingdom
WHAT SIMILARITIES DO YOU SEE BETWEEN THESE TWO IMAGES???
Sculpture of Khafre
The Great Sphinx
The Sphinx
1) The Great Sphinx is one of the world’s largest and
oldest statues
2) This was one of the most familiar/impressive
examples of sculpture during the Old Kingdom.
3) Carved from one piece of solid rock at the site.
4) The head is that of the pharaoh Khafre placed on the
body of a lion.
5) It’s total height is 65 ft.
Why Sculptures were so Important:
What would happen if a ruler’s
mummy was damaged or destroyed?
Fortunately, sculptors had an ingenious
alternative. If something happened to
the mummy, a statue could serve as
an abode for the Ka (soul). The
Egyptian sculptures you see today in
museums, etc. were originally created
for tombs and temples.
1)
Egyptians believed that even if the real body of a
pharaoh, etc. were destroyed, the ka (soul) would
be able to enter the stone substitute for the
journey to the next world.
2)
When artists created images of the pharaoh, they
wanted to make sure that all the parts of the body
were clearly shown so strict rules were set when
creating their art pieces. This was important for
example: if an arm were hidden behind the body in
a relief sculpture or painting, it meant that the ka
(soul) would enter a body that was without an arm
and would be deformed throughout eternity.
3)
A complete image was vital which to them was
more important then making the art piece beautiful
which caused distortion and unnatural looks.
Statue of Khafre
1) The artistic principle that “form follows function”
provides a key to understanding Old Kingdom
sculpture. For example: carefully look at the famous
seated statue of Khafre.
2) The statue is designed to last for eternity. It is
made out of diorite, one of the hardest and most
durable stones a sculptor can use.
Statue of Khafre
3) The sculpture of Khafre’s body is regal and compact,
with no exposed limbs that could break!!! WHY???
* He is portrayed as having muscular, flawless body
that befits an all-powerful god-king. The falcon god,
Horus, who enfolds the king’s head with his wings,
protects him.
4)The Statue of Khafre projects dignity, power, and
above all, permanence.
The Middle Kingdom ( 2050-1800 B.C.)
1) Nobles from the city of Thebes unified the country
during this time.
2) This was a time of law and order in Egypt.
3) Pharaohs weren’t as powerful during this time.
4) During the end of this period, the Egyptians were
invaded by the Hyksos, but soon the Egyptians
regained control of their country again.
Some Important Art Pieces from the Middle Kingdom
1)
2)
Cartouche: An oval or oblong figure in ancient
Egyptian hieroglyphics that encloses characters
expressing the names or epithets of royal or divine
personages.
The Rosetta Stone: is an Ancient Egyptian artifact
which was instrumental in advancing modern
understanding of hieroglyphic writing.
Middle Kingdom Statues/Sculptures
1)
2)
Expression was very important for example, skill
and sensitivity were used during this period.
The sculpture of King Sesostris III is a great
example of this style.
a) This particular sculpture captures the pharaoh
as having concern and resignation on his face and
NOT authority or strength.
b) “The firmly set mouth and “worry” lines above
the eyes convey a look that is troubled and weary.”
Relief Sculptures
This is another form of art where sculptures are carved directly
into the wall or a flat type of surface (usually stone, metal or
wood).
A great example of this is the Relief sculpture:
Methethy with His Daughter (pg. 159, Figure 7.12)
1) What can you tell me that’s unusual about this Relief
Sculpture?
Relief Sculptures
Methethy with His Daughter (pg. 159, Figure 7.12)
2) Why do you think the figures in this particular piece and
others are positioned in such specific manner?
Why do you think the figures in this particular piece
and others are positioned in such specific manner?
Remember what was mentioned about the structure of statues
in the Old Kingdom, the same rules apply with paintings and
Relief Sculptures:
“The Egyptians were greatly concerned about life after
death. Paintings, Sculptures and Relief Sculptures
of the dead were meant to serve as SUBSTITUES
for the body. When artists created images of the
Pharaoh, they wanted to make sure ALL the parts of
the body were clearly shown.” Pg. 159
WHY??
Paintings
1)
2)
3)
During this period, it became difficult and too
expensive to carve relief sculptures into or on the
rough, hard walls of the cliff tombs.
Another reason for the use of wall paintings was
because in the past, at one point, it was customary
for pharaoh's to have his wife, servants and
slaves buried with him, so when he arrived in the
afterlife he would have all of his family, etc with
him. In time, this practice was done away with.
As a replacement to both of these, paintings
became important and a form of its own.
Paintings
PROCESS
a) First the walls of the cliffs are smoothed
out and then covered with plaster.
b) Once the plaster was dry, the artist(s) could
begin working on the painting.
c) The artist(s) would draw a series of
horizontal lines and within these lines, they
would use and carefully place animal and
figure images to tell a story which was
about the deceased whom was in the tomb.
d) The image was then painted in with
rich reds and yellows with black and
blue/green used for contrast.
e) The images always looked flat with
NO dimension.
f)
These images represent or can be
compared to today’s comic strip.
Wall Paintings
The New Kingdom
1) This time period was known as the
most brilliant of Egyptian history.
2) The most important pharaoh’s from
this time were:
a) Amenhotep III
b) Amenhotep’s
sonAmenhotep
IV
c) Queen Nefertiti d) King
Tutankhamun- King
Tut
3)
4)
5)
The New Kingdom
Amenhotep IV changed his name to Akhenaton in
honor of the god Aton.
Alexander the Great of Macedonia conquered
Egypt.
Egypt became famous in history for its huge
pyramids, tombs, stone statues, wall paintings and
carved/painted reliefs.
Akhenaton
Nefertiti
King Tutankhamun
New Kingdom Sculptures
1) Sculptures were commissioned to complete a
variety of works.
2) These works ranged from large tomb sculptures
that were carved into rock to smaller pieces that
were used to decorate temples.
3) During this time period, the statues of pharaohs
were often massive, reaching heights up to 90 ft.
4) Some of these statues were painted and had
eyes made from rock crystals. These
features/techniques heightened their realistic
appearance.
5) Sculptures during the reign of Amenhotep
IV also known as Akhenaton looked much
more realistic.
6) Sculptures took on a more natural, lifelike
look, rather than a solemn, stiffness that
was preferred by earlier pharaoh’s
7) Much of the art produced after Akenaton’s
death still remained realistic with relaxing
poses.
New Kingdom Tombs
1)
2)
3)
The inside of tombs during this time period took on a
new look: they contained wall paintings, some relief
sculptures (but NOT many) and hieroglyphics.
a) Hieroglyphics- An early form of picture writing.
Even though these tombs took on a new look,
they still followed the strict rules of Egyptian Art.
Two examples of wall paintings during this time period
are:
a) Nakht and His Wife
b) False Door Stela
Nakht and His Wife
1) This is a great example of what wall
paintings looked like inside tombs during
the New Kingdom.
2) This particular painting was of a priest
named Nakht and his wife.
3) The painting(s) consist of Nakht and his
wife surrounded by servants who are
busy doing various activities etc. for the
priest and his wife.
1) Notice the priest and his wife are
considerably larger in size to show their
importance.
2) Their poses are stiff and solemn because
this is how people of high ranking were
portrayed.
3) The servants poses are portrayed with
more natural ones.
4) Hieroglyphics are also used in these wall
paintings. They help to communicate/tell
the story.
Nakht and His Wife