The Egyptian Canon and Amarna cc

Summary

This script delves into the evolution of Egyptian art, highlighting the adherence to the Canon that dictated artistic style for centuries. It discusses the artistic revolution under Akhenaten, who introduced new subject matter and a break from traditional norms, reflected in the Amarna style. The script also touches on the return to the Canon post-Amarna period and provides insights into the use of grids, copy books, and the significance of the portrayal of figures like Akhenaten and Nefertiti.

Takeaways

• 🎨 Egyptian art maintained a consistent style for nearly 2,000 years due to the adherence to a strict artistic 'Canon', which dictated how figures of status were depicted.
• 📏 Artists used a grid system to ensure consistency in the portrayal of figures, especially those of high status or deities, with specific body parts aligning to certain grid rows.
• 🖼️ There was a period of artistic innovation during the reign of Akhenaten and Queen Tiye, where traditional styles were challenged and new subject matter was introduced.
• 🔄 After Akhenaten's reign, Egyptian art returned to following the Canon, maintaining its traditional style through the end of the Egyptian period.
• 🛠️ Egyptian art production was akin to an assembly line, with each artist having a specific task, contributing to a collective piece of art.
• 📚 Artists relied on copybooks to replicate established iconography and styles, ensuring continuity in their work.
• 🖌️ The use of color in Egyptian art was limited and specific, with certain pigments being used almost exclusively.
• 🏛️ The Amarna period, under Akhenaten, saw a significant departure from traditional art forms, with new subject matter and a unique style that emphasized the king's divine connection.
• 👑 The physical depiction of Akhenaten was unconventional, with elongated features that may have symbolized his closeness to the Aten, the Sun God, and his role as a mediator of divine truth.
• 🔙 After Akhenaten, there was a return to traditional religious practices and artistic styles, as seen in the art of Tutankhamun and the reestablishment of the old gods.

Q & A

Why does Egyptian art appear homogeneous over a long period?

Egyptian art appears homogeneous due to the adherence to a set of artistic standards known as the Canon. This Canon dictated the representation of figures, particularly those of high status, gods, and royalty, ensuring a consistent style across different periods.

What is the significance of the Canon in Egyptian art?

The Canon provided a set of rules and standards for artists to follow, which resulted in a recognizable and consistent Egyptian artistic style. It included specific ways of drawing and proportions, especially for figures of importance, ensuring a uniform representation across time.

How did the reign of Akhenaten and Queen Tiye influence Egyptian art?

During the reign of Akhenaten and Queen Tiye, there was a significant shift in artistic style, with a move towards more naturalistic and expressive representations. This period saw a break from the strict Canon, introducing new subject matter and a more fluid, less rigid artistic approach.

What was the Amarna period, and how did it affect Egyptian art?

The Amarna period was a time of religious and artistic revolution under Akhenaten, who established a new monotheistic religion centered around the Sun God Aten. This led to a departure from traditional artistic conventions, known as Amarna art, characterized by elongated features and a focus on the divine order.

What is the Amarna style, and how does it differ from traditional Egyptian art?

The Amarna style is characterized by its departure from the Canon, featuring more naturalistic and expressive depictions of the royal family. It is marked by elongated faces, necks, and bodies, and a focus on the spiritual and divine aspects of the pharaoh and his family.

How did the use of grids influence the creation of Egyptian art?

The use of grids in Egyptian art was a method to ensure accuracy and consistency in the depiction of figures, especially those of high status or divine beings. Artists would draw according to a grid system, with specific body parts aligning with certain rows, to maintain proportionality and uniformity.

What was the role of copy books in Egyptian art?

Copy books were used by Egyptian artists as a reference for creating images of deities, royalty, and other important figures. Artists would consult these books to replicate established iconography and styles, ensuring continuity in their artwork.

How did the process of creating Egyptian art resemble an assembly line?

Egyptian art production was akin to an assembly line, with each artist having a specific task. They would work in a sequential manner, with one artist drawing the grid and figure, another sculpting, and potentially a final artist painting or adding details, contributing to the final artwork.

What can the unfinished tombs of Ramos tell us about the artistic process during the 18th dynasty?

The unfinished tombs of Ramos provide insight into the artistic process of the 18th dynasty, showing the use of grids, the assembly line approach to art production, and the attention to detail in sculpting and painting. They also reflect the fluidity and naturalism that characterized the period's art.

How did the return to traditional Egyptian art after the Amarna period manifest?

After the Amarna period, there was a return to the traditional Canon and artistic styles. This is evident in the reign of Tutankhamun, where the art became more conservative, re-emphasizing the established iconography and proportions that were prevalent before the Amarna period.

What is the significance of the comparison between Akhenaten's portrayal and traditional Old Kingdom images?

Comparing Akhenaten's portrayal with traditional Old Kingdom images highlights the radical departure from the Canon during the Amarna period. Akhenaten's elongated features and the focus on divine truth and order contrast sharply with the more standardized and proportional figures of the Old Kingdom.