Egyptian Art Influence

Egyptian Art is one of the most prominent eras that introduced stylistic conventions that were widely used in the making of art. Egypt was home to many kings and dynasties that developed their own style, the Old Kingdom is known for their grand building projects, the Great Pyramids. The Palette of Narmer, (Slate, C. 3,000 BCE. Old Kingdom, Egypt) showcases the culture of Egypt through representation while creating a narrative through a wide-scale of subjects. Bull-leaping Fresco is another example of representing ideas/cultural beliefs though artworks such as paintings. Strong Influence of Minoan and Egyptian culture impacted on the many arising styles, this gave us heavy narratives within the art to fully understand the ideas and concepts

Carvings within materials and walls decorated the interior of pyramid temples and tombs. Egyptian sculptors were adept at creating lifelike figures that also express a feeling of strength and permanence consistent with the unusually hard stones from which they were carved. Mentioned from the Department of Egyptian Art, “They perfected the art of carving intricate relief decoration and, through keen observation of the natural world, produced detailed images of animals, plants, and even landscapes, recording the essential elements of their world for eternity in scenes painted and carved on the walls of temples and tombs” (C H. Roehrig).

The Palette of Narmer, (Figure 1) is an Egyptian narrative work of art. It is the earliest extant of hieroglyphics, arrangement of symbols which each contained independent meanings of their culture. The primary function was

Drawing inspiration from early Greek paintings, Unlike the twisted perspective seen in Egyptian, these figures are shown in full profile, an element the adds to the air of liveliness, as well as the shape of the bull being larger in length, perhaps giving importance to the animal as well as the impact in had on their daily living. Other technicalities made Minoan artworks highly regarded, the color palette used in their culture was based from natural earthy tones such as white, brown, red and yellow resulting in vivid and decorative artworks. I believe Figure 1 is more traditional and references Egypt’s history, the reason for visual elements such as color are applied on the palette. The use of color in Figure 2 implies their beliefs, they wanted to be representational and visually appealing.

Minoan and Egyptians developed their own unique styles through the lens of their culture.

Works from this period came with a strong narrative and symbolic fragments, by using language and communication we were introduced to scenes of human rituals and significant animals being depicted. As a result, we receive artworks that are a glimpse of their daily living and what it meant to be a part of their