Egyptian Art

This book introduces some of the most important masterpieces of ancient Egyptian art, ranging from the Old Kingdom to the Roman Period, including sculptures, reliefs, sarcophagi, murals, masks, and decorative items. Most of these works are now in the Egyptian Museum in Cairo, but some are part of the World Cultural Heritage in museums such as the Louvre, British Museum, Egyptian Museum in Berlin, and Metropolitan Museum in New York. Featured works include the seated statue of King Djoser, the wood relief of Hesire, the statue of a scribe, the funerary relief of Aschait, the Sphinx of Sesostris II, the robed statue of Cherihotep, the reliefs from the Temple at Carnac, the sarcophagus of Queen Hatshepsut, the murals from Thebes, the seated figure of the goddess Sachmet, the statue of Queen Teje, the head of Akhenaten (Amenophis IV), Queen Nefertiti's golden mask, and Ramses II from Abu Simbel.

Format: Hardback
Length: 96 pages
Publication date: 20 December 2022
Publisher: Taschen GmbH

The art of ancient Egypt, which has been passed down to us, bears no names of its creators, yet we hold the creations of these unknown masters in equal esteem to the works of later centuries, such as the statues by Michelangelo or the paintings by Leonardo da Vinci. This book presents some of the most significant masterpieces, spanning from the Old Kingdom during the Third millennium BC to the Roman Period. The artworks encompass sculptures, reliefs, sarcophagi, murals, masks, and decorative items, most of which are now housed in the Egyptian Museum in Cairo, while some hold prestigious positions as part of the World Cultural Heritage in museums like the Louvre in Paris, the British Museum in London, the Egyptian Museum in Berlin, and the Metropolitan Museum in New York. Featured works include:

Seated statue of King Djoser: This magnificent statue depicts the powerful ruler King Djoser, who ruled during the Third Dynasty of the Old Kingdom. The statue is intricately carved and showcases the king's regal presence, with his seated posture and elaborate headdress.

Wood relief of Hesire on a dining table: This relief is a remarkable example of ancient Egyptian craftsmanship. It depicts a scene from the life of Hesire, a nobleman who served as the vizier under King Djoser. The relief is intricately carved and features delicate details, showcasing the artist's skill in depicting both the human form and the natural world.

Statue of a scribe made of various materials: This statue is a unique and fascinating piece of art. It depicts a scribe, a person who was responsible for recording and preserving ancient Egyptian literature and knowledge. The statue is made of various materials, including wood, stone, and metal, and showcases the artist's ability to blend different materials to create a cohesive and lifelike sculpture.

Funerary relief of Aschait: This relief is part of a larger funerary complex and depicts the goddess Aschait, who was associated with the afterlife and the protection of the dead. The relief is intricately carved and features the goddess standing in front of a coffin, with her wings spread out and her eyes focused on the coffin.

Sphinx of Sesostris II: The Sphinx of Sesostris II is one of the most iconic monuments of ancient Egypt. It is a massive stone sculpture that depicts a human-headed lion, a symbol of power and strength. The Sphinx is located at the entrance to the temple of Sesostris II in Luxor and is a testament to the artistic and engineering skills of the ancient Egyptians.

Robed statue of Cherihotep: This statue is a remarkable example of ancient Egyptian sculpture. It depicts the god Cherihotep, who was a prominent deity in ancient Egypt during the Middle Kingdom. The statue is intricately carved and features the god wearing a robe and holding various objects, including a staff and a tablet.

Reliefs from the Temple at Carnac: The Temple at Carnac is a complex of ancient stone temples located in the Carnac region of France. The reliefs found in the temple are a testament to the artistic and architectural skills of the ancient Egyptians. The reliefs feature a variety of scenes, including battles, hunting, and religious rituals, and showcase the artist's ability to depict a wide range of emotions and actions.

Sarcophagus of Queen Hatshepsut: The sarcophagus of Queen Hatshepsut is one of the most famous works of ancient Egyptian art. It is a large stone sarcophagus that was carved during the reign of Queen Hatshepsut, who ruled during the Eighteenth Dynasty of the Old Kingdom. The sarcophagus features the queen's portrait and a detailed inscription that provides information about her life and achievements.

Murals from Thebes: Thebes was a major city in ancient Egypt and was known for its rich cultural heritage. The murals found in the temples and tombs of Thebes are a testament to the artistic and cultural achievements of the ancient Egyptians. The murals feature a variety of scenes, including battles, religious rituals, and daily life, and showcase the artist's ability to depict a wide range of subjects and emotions.

Seated figure of the goddess Sachmet: This statue is a remarkable example of ancient Egyptian sculpture. It depicts the goddess Sachmet, who was a powerful goddess of war and justice. The statue is intricately carved and features the goddess seated on a throne, with her wings spread out and her eyes focused on the viewer.

Statue of Queen Teje: This statue is a remarkable example of ancient Egyptian sculpture. It depicts the queen Teje, who was a queen of the Twelfth Dynasty of the Old Kingdom. The statue is intricately carved and features the queen wearing a elaborate headdress and holding various objects, including a scepter and a lotus flower.

Head of Akhenaten (Amenophis IV): The head of Akhenaten (Amenophis IV) is a remarkable piece of ancient Egyptian art. It is a small, intricately carved statue that depicts the head of the pharaoh Akhenaten, who ruled during the Eighteenth Dynasty of the Old Kingdom. The head is a testament to the artistic and religious beliefs of the pharaoh and showcases the artist's skill in depicting facial features and expressions.

Queen Nefertiti: Queen Nefertiti is one of the most famous figures in ancient Egyptian art. She is depicted in a variety of works, including sculptures, paintings, and reliefs. The queen is known for her beauty and her role as a patron of the arts, and her portraits showcase the artist's skill in depicting the human form and facial features.

Golden mask of Tutankhamun: The golden mask of Tutankhamun is one of the most famous works of ancient Egyptian art. It is a gold mask that was discovered in the tomb of Tutankhamun, the pharaoh who ruled during the Eighteenth Dynasty of the Old Kingdom. The mask is intricately carved and features the pharaoh's face, with a serene expression and elaborate decorations.

Ramses II from Abu Simbel: Ramses II is one of the most famous pharaohs in ancient Egypt. He is depicted in a variety of works, including sculptures, paintings, and reliefs. The statue of Ramses II from Abu Simbel is a remarkable example of ancient Egyptian sculpture. It is a large stone statue that depicts the pharaoh standing in front of a temple, with his arms raised and his eyes focused on the viewer.

Horus falcon made of granite: The Horus falcon made of granite is a remarkable piece of ancient Egyptian art. It is a large stone statue that depicts the falcon god Horus, who was a symbol of power and protection in ancient Egypt. The statue is intricately carved and features the falcon standing on a pedestal, with its wings spread out and its eyes focused on the viewer.

Stone relief from the temple ambulatory at Edfu: The temple ambulatory at Edfu is a complex of ancient stone temples located in the city of Edfu in Egypt. The reliefs found in the temple are a testament to the artistic and architectural skills of the ancient Egyptians. The relief features a variety of scenes, including battles, hunting, and religious rituals, and showcases the artist's ability to depict a wide range of subjects and emotions.

In conclusion, the art of ancient Egypt is a testament to the incredible creativity and skill of the ancient Egyptians. The works presented in this book showcase a wide range of artistic styles and techniques, from the monumental sculptures of the Old Kingdom to the intricate murals of the Twelfth Dynasty. The artists who created these masterpieces left behind a legacy that continues to inspire and captivate us today, and their contributions to the world of art are truly remarkable.

Weight: 568g
Dimension: 264 x 215 x 13 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783836549172