Egyptian Art: Glossary of Terms and Characteristics

We continue our journey through the history of art with some of the most important terms of Egyptian art. Read on and discover them!

1. Papyrus

Definition: aquatic plant used as a writing material, support for documents, religious texts and works of art.

Use in art: used to bring to life hieroglyphs, illustrations, and documents that captured the rich history and beliefs of this ancient civilization.

2. Scarab

Definition: scarab-shaped amulet associated with regeneration and resurrection.

Use in art: scarabs were placed on mummies to ensure protection in the afterlife.

3. Ka and Ba

Definition: Egyptian concepts of the soul. The ka represented the vital essence and the ba, the soul.

Use in art: often depicted as winged entities accompanying the deceased in sculptures and paintings.

4. Bas-relief

Definition: sculptural technique where figures are lightly sculpted from the surface.

Use in art: abundant in temples and tombs. Bas-reliefs narrated myths, rituals and daily scenes.

5. Royal Named Cartouches

Definition: oval structures containing the name of a pharaoh.

Use in art: present on monuments and tombs. They identified and protected the name of the pharaoh in eternity.

6. Obelisk

Definition: monolithic column, often erected in pairs, with a sharp point.

Use in art: obelisks represented the connection between earth and sky, being monuments to gods and pharaohs.

7. Fresco

Definition: mural painting made in fresh plaster.

Use in art: colorful murals that adorned temples and tombs, representing mythological scenes, rituals and daily life.

8. Serekh

Definition: rectangular design framing the name of a pharaoh.

Use in art: identified the pharaoh and symbolized the union of Upper and Lower Egypt.

9. Naos

Definition: most important room in Egyptian temples.

Use in art: housed sacred statues, often carved from blocks of stone, in temples and tombs.

10. Egyptian Canon

Definition: artistic rules that dictated proportions and arrangement of figures.

Use in art: guaranteed consistency and timelessness in representations, reflecting stability and order.

Conclusion

This glossary has taken us on a journey through the essential terms and characteristics of Egyptian art. Each concept and symbol reveals layers of cultural and spiritual meaning, allowing us to appreciate the richness and complexity of this ancient artistic tradition. We hope it will serve as a compass for you to explore the wonders of Egyptian art and help you decipher its deepest secrets.

Interested in the world of art? Here are some more links to keep you going:

- The best online courses in Fine Arts
- Discover Egyptian art: immortality depicted
- What is surrealism?