10.1 Principles and conventions of Egyptian art

Egyptian art followed strict principles that reflected their beliefs about the universe and society. Frontality, composite perspective, and hierarchical scaling were key techniques used to depict figures and convey their importance in the cosmic order.

These artistic conventions served important symbolic purposes. They reinforced concepts of stability and permanence, emphasized the divine nature of pharaohs, and ensured the preservation of a person's life force in the afterlife through visual representation.

Principles and Conventions of Egyptian Art

Key principles of Egyptian art

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• Frontality depicts figures with head, lower body, and feet in profile while upper body and eyes are shown frontally to create a sense of timelessness and stability
• Composite perspective combines frontal and profile views allowing for the most recognizable and complete representation of a figure or object (person's head and lower body in profile, with eyes and shoulders frontal)
• Hierarchical scaling determines the size of figures based on their social or religious importance with pharaohs and deities depicted larger than other figures to emphasize the power and significance of the ruler and the divine

Symbolism in artistic conventions

• Artistic conventions reinforce the concept of cosmic order (maat) by using frontality and composite perspective to create a sense of permanence and stability reflecting the Egyptians' belief in the eternal nature of the universe
• Hierarchical scaling emphasizes the divine nature of the pharaoh with larger size representing the pharaoh's role as an intermediary between the gods and humans reinforcing the idea of the pharaoh as a living god on earth
• Conventions ensure the preservation of the ka (life force) in the afterlife as art serves as a magical substitute for the deceased and adherence to conventions guarantees the ka's ability to recognize and inhabit the artwork

Representation of figures and deities

• Human figures are depicted using frontality, composite perspective, and hierarchical scaling with pharaohs and nobles shown with idealized features and proportions while ordinary people are represented with less detail and individuality
• Deities are often depicted with human bodies and animal heads combining human and animal features to represent the gods' dual nature and specific attributes and are shown at a larger scale than human figures to emphasize their divine status
• Animals are represented naturalistically, capturing their essential characteristics and are often associated with specific deities (cats with Bastet, falcons with Horus) and used as symbols to convey religious and cultural meanings

Art's role in Egyptian order

• Art serves as a means of communication between the earthly and divine realms with temples and tomb walls adorned with scenes of offerings and rituals to ensure the continued flow of divine blessings and maintain cosmic balance
• Artistic conventions reinforce the hierarchical structure of Egyptian society emphasizing the pharaoh's divine status and authority through scale and positioning while maintaining a clear distinction between social classes in artwork
• Art preserves the memory and achievements of individuals for eternity with tombs and monuments serving as eternal dwellings for the ka and inscriptions and scenes recording the deceased's titles, accomplishments, and family relationships