Egyptian Artistic Techniques and Classical Architectural Orders

Ancient Egyptian Artistic Expression

Egyptian Sculpture: Materials and Forms

Artistic expression was prominent in Egypt. The most used materials were hard stone and granite. Sculptures were also made in wood and bronze.

Types of Sculptural Representation

Egyptian sculpture is categorized into two main types:

• Relief: Appears in tombs and temples as an essential element of architecture. Its purpose was to proclaim the virtues and powers of the gods, and to depict the daily work of the Egyptians. The technique used was that of raised relief and sunk relief (recess, or cut into the stone).
• Statuary: Highlights freestanding (exempt) and monumental sculptures.

Features of Statuary

Its main feature is the inscrutable attitude, characterized by a certain rigidity and distance in which the figures are rendered. Statuary is dominated by idealized figures of the pharaoh. Pharaohs may appear alone, with their wives, or with deities. Among the colossal sculptures include the Colossi of Amenhotep II and the Sphinx.

Unofficial Sculpture

Unofficial sculpture consists of small, striking figures made of clay or painted wood, representing crafts, scenes, and customs of everyday life.

Egyptian Painting: Color and Composition

Egyptian painting contributed to the beauty of statues and reliefs with a rich variety of colors, achieved after considerable development. The subjects represented are the same as in the sculptural reliefs, often showing daily work.

Compositional Rules

• Perfection and Orientation: For the Egyptians, the right side of the body often symbolized perfection.
• Hierarchical Scale: The most important figure is painted larger than the other accompanying figures (hierarchical approach) and is often placed on the right side of the scene.
• Technique: Work began by drawing a grid on which they made a sketch with the figures and objects to scale.

Key Colors and Themes

The main colors used were black, white, red, green, and blue. The themes were primarily religious or hunting scenes.

Classical Greek Architectural Orders

The three primary Greek architectural orders define the style and structure of temples and public buildings.

1. The Doric Order

The Doric order is characterized by strength and simplicity:

• Elevation: Elevated by a stepped platform (stereobate).
• Column: The shaft is fluted, often exhibiting entasis (a slight widening in the center).
• Capital: Very simple, without decoration, comprising the echinus (square section) and the abacus (square).
• Entablature: Consists of:
  • Architrave: Plain and undecorated.
  • Frieze: Decorated with triglyphs and metopes.
  • Cornice: Formed by the pediment, the tympanum, and the gable cornice.
• Acroteria: Figures used for decoration, sometimes associated with the drainage function.

2. The Ionic Order

The Ionic order is more slender and decorative than the Doric:

• Elevation: Elevated by a base.
• Column: The shaft is longer and thinner.
• Capital: Decorated with spiral scrolls (volutes).
• Entablature: Consists of:
  • Architrave: Plain but divided into horizontal stripes (fasciae).
  • Frieze: Decorated with relief sculptures.
  • Cornice: Gable, often decorated with a gargoyle and an acroteria.

3. The Corinthian Order

The Corinthian order is the most ornate and elaborate:

• Elevation: Elevated by a base.
• Column: The shaft is longer and thinner.
• Supports: Sometimes, human figures are used to replace columns, specifically the feminine Caryatids and the masculine Atlantes.
• Capital: Very rich in decoration, primarily featuring the acanthus leaf, but also incorporating elements like the meander or lotus flower.
• Entablature: Consists of:
  • Architrave: Plain but divided into horizontal stripes (fasciae).
  • Frieze: Decorated with relief sculptures.
  • Cornice: Gable, often decorated with a gargoyle and an acroteria.