Characteristics of Ancient Egyptian art
© Lucy Charlotte Acland Johnson
The majority of people are familiar with Ancient Egyptian art and can recognize it in museums and books.
Art styles often change within a hundred years, and yet the layman can identify as "Ancient Egyptian" most of the work produced by this civilisation in 3000 years.
The main reason for this is that Egyptian art changed so remarkably little in this time:
One fundamental method was the use of a grid of eighteen squares in order to achieve perfect bodily proportions-a standing figure should measure six cubits (twenty four digits, or finger widths). Each square grid measured approximately one palm (the width of all four fingers).
The big exception to this drawing rule was the art produced during Akhenaten's rule: He encouraged artists to ignore traditional methods, and instead to draw things exactly as they were. This, like Akhenaten's religious cult, was abandoned upon his death.
Nonetheless, like any form of art, subtle alterations in style did take place in times other than Akhenaten's: In the Middle Kingdom, notably around the time of Sesostris the third, the physical perfection of the Pharaoh in paintings and sculptures was abandoned, and signs of fatigue and ageing (wrinkles, bags under the eyes, etc.) were adopted.
However, in the New Kingdom, artists returned to the Old Kingdom style of showing the King as invincible and eternally young.
But other than the fact that it is easily recognised, there must be something else which draws people to Egyptian art. Personally, I think that it is its incredible sense of humanity; the characters in it are still around today-the politician, the teacher, the young child. The scenes depicted are so familiar, that they could be happening today.
Next time you see some Ancient Egyptian art, I hope that you won't just acknowledge it, but will be able to understand and appreciate it more clearly.
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