Living in Culture

This year, I am taking an art history class, and I love learning all of the material I am learning. With each piece, we talk about how it fits into its’ culture, and with my passion for cultural anthropology, that is one of my favorite parts of the class. Some of the art I find the most interesting is Ancient Egyptian Art. From Old Kingdom Art to New Kingdom Art, there are so many interesting facts about how art was influenced by culture, and I wanted to share what I have learned!

Overarching Defining Characteristics

Egyptian art emphasized permanence and timelessness, reflecting the cultural belief in the afterlife. Many mythological and religious symbols are integrated into the artwork, showcasing the Egyptians’ belief in the Ka, or the life force present in everyone. The art also illustrates the distinction between commoners and pharaohs. When depicting pharaohs, artists adhered to the Egyptian Canon of Proportions, which resulted in minimal periods of innovation and experimentation in art. This Canon led to the idealization of pharaohs, highlighting the differences between commoners, who were portrayed more realistically, and royalty, who were depicted in an idealized manner. Each historical period has its own unique style or defining characteristics, so I would like to spotlight three pieces that I believe beautifully represent the art of various Egyptian time periods or kingdoms.

Old Kingdom – King Menkuara and Queen

In this piece, you can see two important pieces of Egyptian art – The Canon of Proportions and their desire for permanence and timelessness. This sculpture from 2490-2472 BCE is a great example of how pharaohs were often idealized when depicted in a statue or painting. King Menkuara is wearing the Nemes, the headdress most pharaohs wore. Again, this follows the standard rules of how a pharaoh was depicted, wearing their official attire and being idealized. Additionally, this statue is made out of greywacke, an extremely durable material emphasizing the desire to make their art last forever.

This sculpture was found in Menkaura’s Valley Temple in Giza, Egypt. During the Old Kingdom, rulers had pyramids built for them as a way to honor them and aid them in their journey to the afterlife. This piece may not be as advanced or intricate as others like The David, but it is impactful and demonstrates many significant aspects of the Old Kingdom Egyptian Culture.

New Kingdom – Kneeling Statue of Hatshepsut

The Kneeling Statue of Hatshepsut reflects her efforts to legitimize her rule as one of Egypt’s few female pharaohs. To align with tradition, she adopted a masculine appearance, wearing a false beard and kilt. She also crafted a divine origin myth, claiming to be the daughter of Amun. Despite her successful reign—marked by trade expansion and grand architecture—later rulers, especially Thutmose III, tried to erase her legacy by defacing statues like this one.

Hatshepsut’s rule brought stability and wealth, notably through trade. To secure power in a patriarchal society, she presented herself as a male king, making her easier to erase from history. The destruction of statues like this one reflects attempts to diminish her impact, yet her legacy endures through surviving monuments and records.

Armarna Period – Akhenaten, Neferiti and Three Daughters

When Akhenaten came to power during the New Kingdom, there was a break from the standard conventions. Akhenaten said he had an encounter with the sun god Aten, which led him to move the capital, make the religion monotheistic, and change the art. However, this period of change ended right after Akhenaten died.

In this piece, you can see the radical shifts in art. Instead of the Canon of Proportions, figures were not idealized and looked female and male simultaneously. The area became more androgynous and many had elongated features like a larger head. Bodies were depicted with narrow shoulders and waists, small torsos, and large thighs and bellies. Limbs were also elongated giving figures a different look than the standard depiction. This piece exemplifies the unique characteristics of this period and the shift from the New Kingdom characteristics

In Conclusion

Egyptian art emphasized permanence, religious symbolism, and strict artistic conventions, particularly through the Egyptian Canon of Proportions. The Old Kingdom piece King Menkaura and Queen showcases idealized depictions of pharaohs and the use of durable materials to ensure longevity. The New Kingdom Kneeling Statue of Hatshepsut reflects how she legitimized her rule by adopting masculine imagery, though later rulers tried to erase her legacy. The Amarna Period piece Akhenaten, Nefertiti, and Three Daughters breaks from tradition with androgynous, elongated figures, reflecting Akhenaten’s religious and artistic reforms, which ended after his death.