Egypt

 

*Nile annually floods and allowed fertilization and this marked great importance

*3100 BCE – Narmer was accredited for bringing the 2 Egypt’s together

 

The Palette of Narmar

          -3000 BCE 1^st Dynasty

          -Low relief (Bas – French term for low relief)

          *Example of political/propaganda art

 

Diorite Statue of Khafre from Giza

        -2690-2130 BCE (4^th Dynasty) Old Kingdom

          -Sculpture

 

*BCE – Before Current Era (non religious) or Before Christ

*AD – latin abbreviation for Year of Our Lord

*Idealized (ideal) – the most beautiful defined figure for that culture (in their eyes)

*(God) Heras – associated with the Pharoh and meaning devine approval

 

Pharoh Menkaure and his Wife

          -2490 – 2472 BCE

          -graywacke

          -Giza (Egyptian)

*Belief in the essential part of the spirit (Khaa) lived on through the statue after the Pharoh had passed away

 

*Giza Mastaba tombs from 4^th Dynasty (limestone)

            -came up with bench figures for the tombs and all had a couple rooms and shafts down through the ground where the bodies were.

*Zoser (pharoh) wanted an elaborate tomb

            -hired Imhotep (architect) who designed a step pyramid

            -Imhotep created many great pyramids of Giza (limestone) 2601-2515 BCE

            -these pyramids were built for Menkure, Khafre, and Khufu (descent of kings)

*Tops of pyramids were guilded and when sun hit it, it would shine (Sun God)

            -4 corners were marked by N S E W (compass)

*Sphinx – meaning mysterious one (Greek)

            -lion body/Pharoh head

            -believed that lions were great guardians (believed lions didn’t sleep)

 

 

Alchenaten and Nefertiti

          -Alchenaten tried to change religion in Egypt

          -promoted a naturalistic approach to art making

          -changed his name to Alchenaten because it means apprentice of the Sun God