A Walk from Caves to Pyramids
Web Resources for Art History Research
What are Characteristics of Egyptian Art?
Ancient Egyptian art is the painting, sculpture, and architecture produced by the civilization in the Nile Valley from 5000 BCE to 300 CE.
KEY POINTS
Ancient Egyptian art reached considerable sophistication in painting and sculpture, and was both highlystylized and symbolic.
Much of the surviving art comes from tombs and monuments; hence, the emphasis on life after death and the preservation of knowledge of the past. In a narrower sense, Ancient Egyptian art refers to the 2nd and 3rddynasty art developed in Egypt from 3000 BCE and used until the third century.
Most elements of Egyptian art remained remarkably stable over this 3,000 year period, with relatively little outside influence.
Tutankhamun and Ramses II
Read TeachTutankhamun and Ramses II were two of the greatest pharaohs of the New Kingdom; they built magnificent monuments, temples, and tombs.
KEY POINTS
Popularly referred to as "King Tut," Tutankhamun was a boy-king of the 18th dynasty who ruled from around 1332 BC – 1323 BC.
As part of his religious restoration of the god Amun, Tutankhamun initiated the building of many monuments and temples dedicated to Amun at Thebes and Karnak.
Tutankhamun's tomb in the Valley of the Kings was discovered almost completely intact, making it the most complete ancient Egyptian royal tomb ever found. Relics from his tomb are among the most traveled artifactsin the world.
Ramses II, a pharaoh of the 19th dynasty, is often regarded as the greatest pharaoh of the Egyptian Empire and is known for his construction of cities, temples and monuments.
Using art as a means of self-promotion, Ramses erected colossal statues of himself and illustrated his victories over foreigners on numerous temple reliefs.
Among his most famous works are the capital city of Pi-Ramesses which was built at his command; the archaeological complex of Abu Simbel; and his mortuary temple known as the Ramesseum.
ACTIVITY
Create a cartouche of your first name!
An oval figure containing characters that represent the names of royal or divine people.
Research Hieroglyphics
Draw and color the cartouche in your composition book.