Art History/Ancient Art

Ancient Egyptian Art

An example of the Egyptian use of frontalism.

As far as we know, civilization first began in the Mesopotamian river valleys of the Tigris and Euphrates in present day Iraq. Soon thereafter, it took root in the valley and delta of the Nile. The ancient Egyptian civilization was one of the longest lasting in the West. It began in approximately 3000 B.C and lasted until 300 B.C. When it came to their art, the Egyptians had a distinguished style known as frontalism. Figures created in this way are also called composite.

The features of frontalism are as follows:

In reliefs and paintings, the head of the character is drawn in profile while the body faces frontward
The eyes are drawn in full (even though the face is in profile)
The legs are turned to the side with one foot in front of the other
All of the figures, in all media, are rigid and stiff, yet the faces are calm or no expression

Although frontalism applies to the Egyptian art through thousands of years, there were slightly different rules for animals or slaves.

The Timeline of Egyptian Art

The Predynastic Period lasted from about 5000-3100 B.C. which was before Egypt became a kingdom. Many of the characteristics of their culture and art as we know it did begin during this time period.

The pantheon of the gods was established during this time period
The illustrations and proportions of their human figures was developed
Egyptian imagery, symbolism, and basic hieroglyphic writing was developed

The Early Dynastic Period lasted from about 3100 - 2686 B.C., which is also known as the 1st and 2nd Dynasties. During this time, the Egyptian government was strong and supported their arts.

During the Old Kingdom - from 2686-2181 B.C., the Egyptian pyramids were built. Sculptures that appeared more natural were built. The first known portraits were done. It is at the end of the Old Kingdom when the Egyptian style made a shift toward formalized nude figures with long bodies and large eyes.

Gallery

Egyptian Art

Nefertiti Bust
Funerary mask of Tutankhamun
Gold Scarab
Mirror of the Chief of the Southern Tens Reniseneb
Statue of Pharaoh Mentuhotep II
Stele of Princess Nefertiabet eating
The Narmer Palette
Temple of Horus at Edfu
The Giza pyramid complex

Greek Art

Aphrodite of Milos
Winged Nike of Samothrace
Roman reproduction of Myron’s Discobolos in Bronze.
Ptolemaic mosaic of a dog with metal askos from Hellenistic Egypt.
An Attic red figured cup featuring a horse rider.
Heracles and Athena on Black figure and red figure pottery
Minoan Bull's Head Rhyton from Kato Zakros
The mysterious clay fried Phaistos Disc.
Attic white ground Kylix featuring Apollo with a black bird. Probably painted by the Pistoxenos Painter.
The Hirschfeld Krater.
Fragment of a gold wreath.
Greek statues were originally given color. This is a modern restoration attempt.
Temple of Hephaestus in Athens.
The Parthenon in Athens.
Theatre and Temple of Apollo at Delphi.
Theatre of Dionysus in Athens.
The Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus.
Theatre Mask

Roman Art

Augustus of Prima Porta
Head of an elderly Roman.
Roman mosaic featuring a theater mask.
Maison Carrée, a Roman temple located in modern France.
Pantheon in Rome.

Mesopotamian Art

Statue of Ebih-Il
Bull's head of the Queen's lyre from Pu-abi's grave
Bronze head of an Akkadian ruler, likely either Sargon of Akkad or Naram-Sin of Akkad.
Victory Stele of Naram-Sin
Assyrian Winged Bull
Great Ziggurat of Ur