3.4 Art and architecture of the Old Kingdom

Old Kingdom Egypt's art and architecture were dominated by pyramids, mastabas, and intricate sculptures. These creations served religious purposes, ensuring eternal life for the deceased and showcasing the pharaoh's divine power. The period's artistic legacy influenced future Egyptian dynasties.

Sculptures, reliefs, and paintings adhered to strict conventions, using hierarchical scale and idealized forms. Artists worked with various mediums, including stone, faience, and metal. The Old Kingdom's artistic innovations laid the foundation for Egyptian art's enduring style and symbolism.

Old Kingdom Art and Architecture

Characteristics of Old Kingdom art

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• Pyramids serve as iconic symbols of the period
  • Stepped pyramid of Djoser at Saqqara represents the earliest stone pyramid
  • True pyramids, such as the Great Pyramids of Giza, feature smooth sides and a pointed top
  • Pyramid complexes include temples, causeways, and smaller satellite pyramids for the pharaoh's family
• Mastabas function as rectangular tomb structures with sloping sides and flat roofs
  • Often decorated with reliefs and paintings depicting the deceased's life and funerary rituals
• Sculpture adheres to strict proportions and conventions
  • Statues of pharaohs, officials, and deities convey power and authority
  • Seated scribe statues depict the importance of literacy and administration
  • Reserve heads, found in some tombs, may represent the deceased or serve a magical purpose
• Reliefs and paintings adorn tomb walls and temples
  • Depictions of daily life, religious scenes, and funerary rituals ensure the deceased's comfort in the afterlife
  • Low relief and sunk relief techniques create intricate, detailed scenes
  • Hierarchical scale represents the relative importance of figures, with larger sizes indicating higher status
  • Stylized and idealized representations focus on conveying essential characteristics rather than realism

Art's role in Old Kingdom religion

• Art and architecture play a crucial role in ensuring the eternal life of the deceased
  • Pyramid complexes and mastabas protect and provide for the deceased in the afterlife
  • Statues and reliefs allow the deceased's ka (spirit) to interact with the living world
• Funerary texts, such as the Pyramid Texts, guide the deceased through the afterlife
  • Inscribed on tomb walls to ensure the deceased's successful journey
• Offerings scenes and depictions of daily life in tombs ensure the deceased's comfort and sustenance
  • Representations of food, drink, and activities provide for the deceased's needs
• The cult of the sun god Ra influences the orientation and design of pyramids and temples
  • Pyramids align with the sun's path and symbolize the pharaoh's connection to Ra

Artistic mediums in Old Kingdom

• Sculpture evolves throughout the Old Kingdom
  • Early dynastic period features simple, stylized forms
  • 4th Dynasty sees increased realism and attention to detail (Khafre statue)
  • 5th Dynasty refines techniques and introduces new forms, such as the scribal statue
• Painting and relief techniques develop over time
  • Early dynastic period uses simple, stylized scenes
  • 4th Dynasty incorporates more color and detail
  • 5th Dynasty develops sunk relief technique and more complex compositions
• Other mediums showcase the range of Egyptian craftsmanship
  • Faience, a glazed ceramic, creates small figurines, tiles, and jewelry
  • Metalwork in copper and bronze produces tools, weapons, and ceremonial objects
  • Woodwork crafts furniture, coffins, and statues

Legacy of Old Kingdom art

• Middle Kingdom revives Old Kingdom styles and motifs
  • Continued use of pyramids, though on a smaller scale
  • Development of rock-cut tombs and temples
• New Kingdom incorporates Old Kingdom elements in temple design and decoration
  • Old Kingdom motifs and scenes appear in private tombs
  • Influences the development of the Osiris cult and associated funerary practices
• Late Period and Ptolemaic Period exhibit archaizing tendencies
  • Conscious revival of Old Kingdom styles in temples and tombs
  • Old Kingdom motifs and scenes influence the development of animal cults (Apis bull)