Watch this video (you may have to copy the address in the address bar) and, based on the text we have read, comment on the art of ancient Egypt. Consider writing a small paragraph (up to 10 sentences) in which to show what you find most interesting about this ancient art. Do not forget to BEGIN by mentioning your names and departments.
Deadline: October 17th.
If you want to know more about their language (written and spoken):
What fascinates me most about ancient Egyptian art is how form and purpose fuse: images were built to last, to secure order (ma’at) and the afterlife. The canon of proportions and composite view (heads and legs in profile, eye and shoulders front) privilege legibility over realism, while hieratic scale states rank at a glance. Reliefs and statues feel timeless through axial symmetry, frontal poses, and durable materials (stone, gold, faience) that symbolize eternity. Color is symbolic—gold for divinity, green for renewal, red for energy—so hue carries meaning as strongly as contour. Narratives unfold in stacked registers where images and hieroglyphs cooperate like text. Temples and tombs extend this logic at architectural scale, aligned to cosmic cycles and ritual. I also find the Amarna interlude striking: a brief, more fluid naturalism that proves the rules were cultural choices, not limits of skill. Altogether, Egyptian art captivates me because it makes permanence, clarity, and belief visible.
ReplyDeleteGavrilut Ioana Patricia- Grafica
ReplyDeleteWhat I find really interesting about Egyptian art as a whole is the fact that even though the cannons made it so rigid it still looks like it was made to decorate too not just serve a religious purpose and how it is still so beautiful even in its rigidity. And speaking of, the absolute power of the rules and cannons of Egypt in ancient times I feel is also very interesting, though not uncommon then, from a modern point of view, it's quite interesting to observe, and the times in which the rules were broken didn't last long, I am talking about Akhenaten who shifted the focus of religion in Egypt as well as art. During that time art became more natural, faces resembled the person depicted more and idealization was not in the center of attention as much. Reliefs during that time showed for example the pharaoh's family together , children playing and being close to their parents, such a thing was not explored in earlier Ancient Egyptian artwork. But once he passes away the Egyptian art goes back to the old cannons. And despite me liking Akhenaten's period the most I feel the Egyptian art as a whole is still very interesting.
What I find most interesting about ancient Egyptian art is how completely it was run by religious ideology rather than anything inward or personal. My issue isn’t realism at all, but the fact that artists had very little room to explore subjective experience or inner states. Everything followed fixed symbolic rules tied to gods, death, and the afterlife, which makes the work feel more like a system than a conversation. The visual consistency is impressive, but it also creates a sense that nothing could really drift, question itself, or get messy. Art wasn’t a space for uncertainty or introspection, but a tool for reinforcing spiritual order. Even when the craftsmanship is striking, the motivation feels external, almost bureaucratic. To me, ancient Egyptian art shows what happens when belief systems take over creative production and leave little space for art as a personal or psychological act.
ReplyDeleteWhat I find most interesting about ancient Egyptian art is its role as a "functional" bridge to eternity, where every creation was designed to ensure survival in the afterlife. Much like the Etruscans who equipped their dead with worldly comforts, the Egyptians utilized a highly structured symbolic language, using the Ankh to represent eternal life and the Eye of Horus for divine protection. While the Byzantine Hagia Sophia used light to create a sense of spiritual weightlessness, Egyptian art relies on the staggering permanence of stone—seen in the massive pyramids and the Sphinx—to project an immovable power. It is fascinating how hieroglyphs are treated not just as text, but as integral artistic elements that provide magical protection. The use of idealized portraiture suggests they valued the eternal "essence" of a person over their temporary physical appearance. Furthermore, the vivid tomb paintings depicting rituals like the "Opening of the Mouth" show a deeply mystical worldview that remained consistent for millennia. This art wasn't meant for a public audience; it was a private, sacred dialogue between the deceased and the gods. Ultimately, the most striking quality is the sense of absolute stillness and immortality that every statue and relief projects, effectively "stopping" time.
ReplyDeleteI think the video about Egyptian art is really interesting and well made. The images are clear and detailed, which makes it easier to understand how important art was in ancient Egypt. I liked how it shows statues, paintings, and temples because it helps me imagine what life was like back then. The video also made me realize that Egyptian art was not just for decoration, but had meaning related to religion and the afterlife. Overall, I think it is a good video for students because it is educational and visually engaging.
ReplyDeleteMarc Lara (ITA)
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Ancient Egyptian art is especially interesting because it was not created just to look realistic or decorative, but to express important beliefs about life, death, and the universe. Artists followed strict rules so that their work would communicate order, balance, and permanence, which were central values in Egyptian culture. The way figures are shown, with heads in profile and bodies facing forward, may look unusual, but it allowed the artist to present the most recognizable parts of the human form. Size was also used to show importance, with gods and pharaohs appearing much larger than ordinary people. Colors and symbols carried specific meanings and were carefully chosen rather than randomly applied. Much of this art was made for tombs and temples, where it was believed to help the dead live forever and maintain harmony in the afterlife. What I find most fascinating is how every artistic choice had a purpose, making Egyptian art feel timeless, symbolic, and deeply connected to spiritual beliefs.