Egyptian+Art

Egyptian Art

When you look at this art, just think about the hands that created it THOUSANDS of years ago- truly amazing. Egyptian artwork takes many different forms, but many of the pieces you see are:

// Releif Sculpture //: raised carving that stand out on a flat surface, such as the hieroglyphics carved into a tomb, or on a sarcophagus.

// Freestanding Sculpture: // a sculpture that is three-dimensional and stands on its own (see the hippo and cat sculptures below). Some of these a re decorative pieces, while others are functional (such as the cat, which holds a mummy, or canopic jar)

This is a relief (carved so that the designs are slightly raised) from the tomb of an Egyptian pharoah. Block from the Sanctuary in the Temple of Mentuhotep II Middle Kingdom, 2010-2000 B.C. || This is small sculpture of the Egyptian god Amun, or Amun-Re. His traditional pose (leg forwrd) headdress, and other items are all symbols that identify him and help to tell his story. Statuette of Amun 3rd Int. Period, 945-712 B.C. || This is the mask of Tutankhamun's mummy (King Tut), one of the most famous egyptian pharoahs. The discovery of his tomb is one of the most significant archaeological finds of all time.

Mask of Tutankhamun, New Kingdom Gold inlaid with colored glass and stone || This relief honors an Egyptian official, and depicts him at his funeral banquet. It's purpose is to help him in his journey in the afterlife. Stela of Montuwoser Middle Kingdom, 1961-1917 B.C. || This hippopotamus looks cute, but actually shows the Egyptian appreciation for one of the most dangerous animals in the Egyptian world. HippopotamusMiddle Kingdom, 1981-1885 BC. || This cat statuette is actually a hollow form used to hold the mummy of a real cat, showing the importance of the cat in Egyptian religion. Cat Statuette, Macedonian and Ptolemaic Period, 332–30 B.C. || These are // canopic jars //, used by ancient Egyptians to hold mummified remains. During the mummification process the organs of the human body were removed and preserved separately in canopic jars. Canopic jars of Neskhons, wife of Pinedjem II. Made of calcite, with painted wooden heads. 990-969 BC. ||

Egyptian Art Virtual Tours, Slideshows, and great information at the [|National Gallery of Art], Info about Canopic Jars with images Info and Images, lots of links at The Met, Ancient Egypt at The British Museum,