Assignment 10
Thomas Tiernan
Egypt
Egyptian
art is jaw dropping and at the same time very mysterious. The use of symbolism
in their art is vast. The general message found in Egyptian art is continuity
or a “seamless span of time reaching back into history and forward into future”
(Getlein). One of the well-known products of Egyptian art is the Sphinx. The
sphinx symbolizes stability, order, and endurance. It was created around 2530
B.C.E. and stands 66 feet tall. The sphinx has the body of a cat, but the head
of a Egyptian pharaoh. The reason behind why some of these magnificent statues
are made is to act as a form of continuity for the person who is deceased.
Egyptian architecture seemed almost too advanced for their
time. The most famous architectural creation of Egypt is the pyramid. The
pyramids were used as a temple to worship the deceased ruler who has rejoined
the gods. The Great Pyramid of Giza is the oldest and largest pyramid of the
three in Giza, Egypt. The Great Pyramid was created around 2560 B.C.E for the 4th
dynasty Pharaoh Khufu. For 3800 years the Great Pyramid remained the tallest
man made structure in the world.
Lastly, the Egyptian burial masks are amazing examples of
Egyptian art. Made out of gold, the burial mask for Tutankhamen is simply
stunning. Gold in Egyptian signified more than wealth, it was associated with
the rays of the sun. The mask is almost 3 feet tall and is inlaid with blue
glass and semiprecious stones. Since gold could never go bad, the Egyptians
used a solid gold coffin and burial mask as a means to confer immortality. Royalty
were usually buried with their treasures in order to continue to live lavishly
in their after life.
Egyptian art interested me as soon as we first learned about
Egypt in elementary school. I have recently been to the Egyptian Art Museum in
San Jose and will have another blog post about my experience there.
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