Egyptian Hieroglyphics/Art

Ancient Egypt is a starting point in the history of western art. Pyramids and sphinxes have become symbols of Egypt, but a closer look reveals artistic genius in many forms. Besides pyramids and sphinxes, the Egyptians are known for hieroglyphics, or a form of picture writing. Hieroglyphics uses small pictures which represent different words, actions, or ideas. There were over 700 of these letters. Some pictures stood for whole words. A series of wavy lines meant "water." All of the letters in heiroglyphcs were co

Every example of Egyptian art from any time period strictly adheres to the same style. There is a code, or a set of rules for producing the artwork. The style is called frontalism. In reliefs or paintings, frontailsm means that the head of the character is always drawn in profile, while the body is seen from the front. Although the face is to the side, the eye is drawn in full. The legs are turned to the same side as the head, with one foot placed in front of the other. The head is at right angles to the body. Every figure, in paintings or sculptures, stands or sits with a formal, stiff, and rigid posture. The stance of the body is severe, but the faces are calm and serene, and almost always tilted slightly towards the sky, as if the figures were basking in the warm sun.

Egyptian art has not really changed over the years. Their art is long lasting and always symbolizes their background. Egyptians basically communicated not only through hieroglyphics, but mainly through their art.

Hieroglyphics were very intricate and must have taken a very long time to write. It is no wonder that most egyptians couldn't read or write. Gradually hieroglyphics were simplified and an easier system, called hieratic script, was developed. The original hieroglyphics were reserved for writing on buildings and tombs, while hieratic was used for everyday purposes, such as recording taxes, and were written in ink on egyptian paper, called papyrus. Hieratic was replaced by demotic, another simplified version which could be written flowingly and quickly, l

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