Joel Elgin. Influences from Non Western Art: Ancient
Egypt
“…it is believed by
scholars that, for the San, the rock surface functioned as a veil between this
world and the spiritual one. Filled with supernatural energy, the images are
depicted on this veil, on the very liminal space between two worlds...”
Did you catch this huge point (above) from the last
post (thanks Geoffrey Blundell)? Of course you did! The rock surface functioned
as a veil between this world and the spiritual one. Shouldn’t every surface we
artists use, copper, canvas, paper etc., function in this way?
Are you interested in
Rock Art? Of course you are and I'm so proud of you.
I could write the entire
blog on it, but, again - it's a big world of art influence and since you
continue to read, I will continue to write and swear not to bore you to tears.
So if you want more rock
art go here:
Let's continue with the
Ancient but move into Egypt. To do this, I will break the art down into
chronological periods (I know, it is stuff you’ve studied before but, it’s
important to look at the history to see the growth of influence)
Ancient Egypt:
Predynastic Period
(5500 -- 3100 BCE
This period corresponds
to the Late Neolithic (Stone Age), and covers the cultural and social changes
which occurred between the late Palaeolithic period (hunter gatherers) and the
early Pharaonic era (the Early Dynastic Period).
The Predynastic Period is
divided into four separate phases: the Early Predynastic which ranges from the
6th to 5th millennium BCE (approximately 5500 - 4000 BCE), the Old Predynastic
which ranges form 4500 to 3500 BCE (the time overlap is due to diversity along
the length of the Nile), the Middle Predynastic which roughly goes form 3500 -
3200 BCE, and the Late Predynastic which takes us up to the First Dynasty at
around 3100 BCE.
The Early Predynastic is
otherwise known as the Badrian Phase. During this phase pottery was being made,
often with highly sophisticated designs.
University College London.
The Old Predynastic is
also known as the Amratian or Naqada - further examples of clay pottery - most
notably terracotta sculptures.
Female Figurine. Egypt,
from Ma’mariya. Predynastic Period, Naqada II, circa 3500–3400 B.C.E.
Terracotta, painted,
11 1/2 x 5 1/2 x 2 1/4 in.
(29.2 x 14 x 5.7 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund, 07.447.505
The Middle Predynastic is
also known as the Gerzean Phase -- named for Darb el-Gerza on the Nile to the
east of Fayum in Lower Egypt. Pottery from this phase is often decorated with
depictions of birds and animals as well as more abstracted symbols for gods.
Met Museum of Art
Decorated Ware Jar
Depicting Ungulates and Boats with Human Figures
Period: Predynastic, Late
Naqada II
Date: ca. 3500–3300 B.C.
Medium: Pottery, paint
Dimensions: h. 30 x w. 31
cm (11 13/16 x 12 3/16 in.) diam (of rim): 17 cm (6 11/16 in.) diam (of
opening): 14 cm (5 1/2 in.)
The Late Predynastic,
which blends into the 1st Dynastic Period, is also known as the Protodynistic
phase developed into two distinct kingdoms of Upper and Lower Egypt, the Nile
Valley and Nile Delta areas respectively.
An acacia wood statue of an
unknown couple from the Louvre
I am confident that you
have spent countless hours studying Egyptian art in your academic past so I
will stop here. Of course we could continue because the development of art in
Egypt in important, but so much new stuff to see, so little time…
Stay tuned for the…
Art of the Yoruba people.
