The Ancient World

Chronology of

Egyptian History

Dynasties 0-II - 3600-2650 BCE Prehistoric and Early Dynastic: consolidation of the territory from the Nile delta to Aswan,

with the capital at Memphis; brick tombs in Abydos and Saqqara

Dynasties III-VI - 2650-2150 BCEThe Old Kingdom: state organization, religion and hieroglyphic script fully developed;

early step pyramids, height of pyramid building, rock-cut tombs

Dynasties VII-XI - 2150-2040 BCE First Intermediate period: Egypt moves from a position of power in the Middle East

to foreign rule by the Hyksos; Karnak and Dier el-Bahari

Dynasties XI-XIV - 2040-1640 BCE Middle Kingdom: rock tombs

Dynasties XV-XVII - 1640-1550 BCE Second Intermediate Period

Dynasties XVIII-XX - 1550-1070 BCE New Kingdom: Akhenaten and Tutankhamun; Temple of Amun in the Valley of the Kings

Dynasties XXI-XXIV - 1070-712 BCE Third Intermediate Period: division of Egypt into northern and southern empires; temples in the Nile delta

Dynasties XXV-XXXI, Alexandrian and Roman rule - 750 BCE-395 CE Late Period and Ptolemaic Empire: Temple of Horus at Edfu, Temple of Hathor at Dendera

AncientArchitecture

Structure like Stonehenge: ceremonial and ritualAgriculture produced permanent settlements

Ancient Egypt Preservation of the mortal body

Architecture was MONUMENTAL Wall Construction (pyramids) & Post-and-Lintel (temples) Materials: unrefined mud-brick, wood and bundled papyrus reeds

Characteristics of the Ancient:

Natural forms can seen in the development of the Egyptian column Abstracted flowers of native plants - papyrus, palm and lotus

Engaged Columns: partially embedded Capitals blossomed to the sky… supporting the heavens

Colonnade: Row of columns Entablature: Horizontal moulding above columns

Early Dynastic and Old Kingdom Architecture:Ka: spirit or life force of the individual: a body must inhabit it.

Mastabas: mud-bricked, one-story, flat-topped building with sloped sides(these resembled the domestic dwelling at the time)

c. 2650 BCE Stone began to replace the mud-brick King Djoser’s step pyramid, Saqqara

Necropolis: burial site

c. 2750 BCETransformation into the “true” pyramid(Snefru's Bent Pyramid in Dahshur) 60° became 45° (52° became standard)

c. 2601-2515 BCEGiza Pyramids

Middle Kingdom Architecture:

Rock-cut Tombs

c. 1470 BCE Temple of Queen Hatshepsut

Porticoes: porch w/ 4-sided Columns

New Kingdom Architecture:

The god-king worship transferred…A triad of deities: Theban god Amun, wife Mut, son Khonsu

Hypostyle Hall: a vast hall filled with columns

Nave: central open space

Clerestory: a row of high windows

> Great Temple of Amun at Karnak (artist’s interpretation)

AncientFurniture

and Decoration

Tutankhamen's Tomb

X-frame stool

Queen of Ramesses II, Nefertari (1250 BCE)

Tomb Mural

AncientDress

Egypt; Artistic Convention

Clothing was well preserved… airtight!

Loose-fitting and flowing (draped and closed-sewn)

Egyptian Architecture and Fashion remained relatively stable and unaffected by influences from other cultures until Greek and Roman domination.

There was an appreciation of the beauty of the nude human form.

Egyptian art and architecture reflects a love of clarity of form that is carried into dress.

Basic Garments:Linen (wool was available, but “unclean”)

Bleached with SulphurWeaving: High Thread Count: 150 warp threads by 120 weft

Basic Components: skirt, loincloth, tunic, cloak or cape and the wrapped robe.

Tunics were simple rectangles of cloth folded in half, with holes cut for the head to pass through, and seams closing the sides. Minimal sewing, cutting or construction was required.

Men’s Dress

Loincloth: triangular piece tied like a diaper

Shenti: skirt (wrapped over-cloth)

Postiche: False Beard

Cape-like collar

Women’s Dress

Undergarments and Bead-net Dress

Women’s Dress

Robes

< Goddess Hathor was the goddess of joy, motherhood, and love.

Cosmetics (both sexes): Lines were drawn around the upper and lower eyelids in green or black paint.

Kohl: a black powder of lead sulphide

Cones of wax impregnated with scented oils on their heads would melt in the sun to lubricate and protect the skin.

Klaft: Triangular kerchief

Headdresses:

Isis: Sun

Cleopatra: Falcon/vulture

Uraeus: snake

Crowns and Sandals

Pschent: Double crown

Jewelry

Pectorals : Neckpieces of semi-precious stones.

Scarab Beetle

Discussion

^ Court of Amenhotep III - Luxor Temple

(c. 1350 BCE)

>Tomb of Inherka

(Anhurkhawi )

(c. 1175 BCE)

Discuss these 2 images in regard to the ELEMENTS OF DESIGN

(Line, Form/Shape, Mass, Value, Color, Measure, Position and Texture):