Ch. 2 - The Egyptian Style

Many of the Egyptian paintings were made on the wall of a temple or tomb in a place called Hierakonpolis, on the banks of the river Nile, almost 6000 years ago.

Hierakonpolis tomb painting

The early Egyptian paintings here, were lively and had small figures of animals and people in action against large blank backgrounds. 

We can’t tell if the figures are supposed to be connected because there is no ‘setting’, no indication of landscape or even ground to stand on. But there is no messy overlapping and figures are spread evenly across the whole surface.

But these of paintings gave way to a new style of the later Egyptian era which is more familiar to us and is commonly known as the Egyptian style.

Telling a story through various actions

As compared to the cave paintings, the figures are not as real looking. There is no shading and figures seem to be flat against the wall. 

The artist has left out many details and the painting style appears to be a kind of shorthand like in today’s comic strips; they tell a story in each continuing frame.

Hieroglyphics were used as a background to assist the story.

The tomb paintings were probably meant to tell a story which is also indicated in the fact that the Egyptians invented the earliest form of writing, hieroglyphics, with pictures.

Because the figures were used so often, they began to look less and less real and became stylized or conventional, thus turning into the alphabet.

 Now, let us understand a bit about Egyptian culture and beliefs to fully comprehend their paintings and style...

Osiris, Horus and Pharaoh

It was a custom that when a man died, he would take everything he possessed to his grave so that his spirit could lead a good afterlife. Since he couldn’t take everything, he had memories and events of his life painted. 

Some themes though, included journey through the afterworld or protective deities introducing the deceased to the gods of the underworld (such as Osiris).

Orderly, flat figures

The Egyptian artist knew that a life-like painting would give a static view of the way it looked at a particular moment, which was not what he wanted. 

He gave the figures a side face with eyes and body forward and a comic strip like painting, so that all important parts were covered and it gave a complete story.

He made the painting more orderly than real life so that the spirit doesn't miss anything. The figures are planted solidly on the ground line. 

Horus (strong flat colour

The figures are flat but the use of colour makes it stand out from the background.

There were six colors the Ancient Egyptians used in their paintings: red, green, blue, yellow, black, and white. 

They made these colors out of mineral compounds and because of that, they last very long. 

The Egyptians later learned to create mixed colors from the primary ones, such as grey, pink, and brown.

Animals used as symbols

The Egyptian artist also used a symbolism to establish a sense of order. 

 Symbolism, ranging from the pharaoh's regalia (symbolizing his power to maintain order) to the individual symbols of Egyptian gods and goddesses, is omnipresent in Egyptian art. 

Animals were usually also highly symbolic figures in Egyptian art.

Colours were more expressive rather than natural. 

Osiris (green colour skin to indicate divinity)

Red skin implied vigorous tanned youth, whereas yellow skin was used for women or middle-aged men who worked indoors.

Blue, green or gold indicated divinity because of its unnatural appearance and association with precious materials.

The use of black for royal figures expressed the fertility of the Nile from which Egypt was born. 

Stereotypes were employed to indicate the geographical origins of foreigner.

Overlapping figures

He overlaps figures only if they are performing the same action. 

Some are extra large because they are important. If he wants to show something far away, like trees, he puts them above the figure not behind.

Important figures are painted larger

The artist then, does not tell us what he sees but what he knows.

Art here followed a strict set of rules of organization and painting which we call the ‘Egyptian style’.