Ancient Egyptian culture and religion may seem foreign/exotic to westerners but in reality it is very similar to other African cultures and religions. Also ancient Egypt deities are still worshiped by tribes in the African great lakes region,tribes in Kenya,Tanzania,Uganda,Rwanda and Congo.
10 interesting facts about Egyptian art and architecture
Ancient Egyptians did not create art simply to create something beautiful Their art was functional. It was beautiful, but it had a purpose. Artists and craftsmen were considered to have the same type of talent – they were all craftsmen. Egyptian art was concerned mostly with the continuation of life. Egyptian craftsmen created protective amulets, tomb paintings, magical enchantments on papyrus, funeral jars, painted pottery to hold nourishment, pottery figures, painted scenes, cartouches, hieroglyphics, ivory grave goods, protective weapons, boats and barks, and other goods that helped to protect and continue life, both in this world and in the afterlife.
It is interesting, Ancient Egyptian art is a symbol of the power. However, the other civilizations have similar buildings. All of them are like stairs going to sky ( Mayan, Nubian pyramids or pyramids in Mexico.) It is obvious taht religion and civilization competitions made people go forward in art and architecture.
Ancient Egyptian art dates all the way back to 3000BC and provides us with an understanding of ancient Egyptian socioeconomic structures and belief systems. The Ancient Egyptians also developed an array of diverse architectural structures and monuments, from temples to the pyramids that are still a major tourist attraction today. But how much do you know about Ancient Egyptian art and architecture? Christina Riggs, author of Ancient Egyptian Art and Architecture: A Very Short Introduction, tells us ten things we need to know about Ancient Egyptian art and architecture:
- A common preconception is that Ancient Egyptian art all looks the same. In reality, it is very diverse and the style and symbolism of the art depends on the region.
- When Egyptian art does look the same, it is for a very good reason; it is often based on religious beliefs.
- A lot of the artists or architects from Ancient Egypt are unknown and remain anonymous.
- Some forms of art were created purely for sacred or magical purposes.
- Much of Ancient Egyptian art was not meant to be seen by ‘normal people’. The art was created in secret to be viewed by the elite and it was “too powerful to be viewed by the general public.”
- A lot of the buildings you can see and visit in Egypt, such as temples, pyramids, and tombs, would have only been seen at the time by very few people.
- We think of Mummies as an Ancient Egyptian burial ritual but they were actually very sacred objects. Only very few people were ever mummified in Ancient Egyptian history and only the Priests were allowed to see them.
- It was only modern studies on race and racial differences that made Mummies become “medical objects.”
- Ancient Egypt isn’t necessarily more interesting than other ancient empires. Perhaps it is seen as more exotic by Europeans because it is so different to our modern culture, whereas we still see similarities between our culture and Ancient Greece for example.
- You will see Ancient Egyptian art and architecture everywhere, and not just in Egypt. Ancient Egyptian art and architecture continues to inspire and influence modern designers all around the world.
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It is interesting, Ancient Egyptian art is a symbol of the power. However, the other civilizations have similar buildings. All of them are like stairs going to sky ( Mayan, Nubian pyramids or pyramids in Mexico.) It is obvious taht religion and civilization competitions made people go forward in art and architecture.
The ancient Egyptians used humor in their sketches of animals engaged in human-type activities, such a driving a chariot or beating a captive. These drawings were made typically on papyrus. Some have been found by archaeologists. But humor was never used in art for drawings of people.
Artists had a special way of drawing or painting people. You would be very uncomfortable if you tried to stand in the same position artists painted people. The Egyptians drew heads, eyes, legs, and feet as if you were looking at them from the side. They drew shoulders and chests as if you were looking at them from the front. (You can see this in the picture at the top of this page.) It was uniquely Egyptian, and very distinctive. Men were usually drawn with dark colors and women with light colors.
Good craftsmen were appreciated in ancient Egypt. They usually lived comfortable lives. Craftsmen were not allowed to sign their work. Still, word got around if someone had talent.
Much of what the modern world knows about Ancient Egypt can be attributed to Ancient Egyptian art. Everything from knowing what they looked like to what they did for a living, what they held dear and even the clothes they wore are things that have been made possible by viewing and examining the art that they left behind.
http://www.ancient-egypt-online.com/ancient-egyptian-art.html
