Relief art Egypt

Egyptian wall paintings and relief art

 

Amenhotep-III-Representation-at-Karnak-Temple-Complex         Egyptian wall art

Amenhotep III Representation at Karnak Temple Complex, Luxor

The extent to which the ancient history of Egypt was recorded by their artists is remarkable. Ancient Egyptian art displays a vivid representation of the Egyptian’s lifestyle, spiritual rituals and belief systems. The artists weren’t concerned with representing the world with any realism or having a sense of depth in their art. The Egyptian art was primarily concerned, above all, with ensuring the continuity of the universe, the gods, the king and the people.The artists therefore depicted things not as they saw them but as idealized symbols intended to be more significant and enduring than was otherwise possible in the real world.

Many of the fundamentals of Egyptian art were established at the very beginning of Egyptian history and changed little over time. Subject matter also remained relatively unchanged over long periods of time. However, Egyptian art did not remain completely static over the three thousand years of pharaonic history. Despite the limited repertory of subject matter, Egyptian artists valued variation and avoided producing exact copies of the same forms. Essentially though the human figure was a composite with the face, limbs, waist and buttocks shown in profile, while the chest and shoulders were in full view facing the viewer as were one eye and an eyebrow.

 

 

 

Kom-Ombo-temple-_-Egypt-por-unicorn-81

Pillar relief – Kom Ombo  Temple

 

The temple religious ceremonies were accurately depicted in their art ensuring their preservation in the future and reinforcing the recollection of royal deeds. Art portrayals of offering gifts were an act of reverence to their Gods, an affirmation of abundance and it also meant these items would be available in the next world. The images of protective deities found in houses, palaces and temples were created as powerful shields against the malign forces of the universe.
Great emphasis was placed on decorating tomb walls with reliefs or painted scenes to ensure the perpetuation of life and tradition. Symbolism had an important role in their art, ranging from the pharaoh’s regalia (symbolizing his power to maintain order) to the individual symbols of Egyptian gods and goddesses. The highly symbolic hieroglyphics with more then 700 symbols was omnipresent in their art, appearing on both statues and wall reliefs.The hieroglyphic texts within any scene typically formed an integral part of the whole composition.

Most of the walls of the temples and palaces were decorated with art, either painted on a flat surface or employing sculptured relief. This could have been a raised relief where the background was cut away or a sunken relief where the figures were cut back to be lower then the background which was more suitable in bright light. The more important artworks featured sculptured reliefs. Egyptian art used hierarchical proportion, where the size of figures indicated their relative importance.The ultimate destination for Ancient Egyptians was the ‘great garden’, the Elysian fields of Osiris. Images of the god Osiris were popular and added to tomb walls, either painted or carved, to invoke the protective and guiding spirit of Osiris. All the Egyptian Gods had consistent representation and carving their Gods into the living rock of the tomb gave it a tangible form which became an object, where it was believed the deities could manifest a presence.

 

Two anubis dogs on the walls of the tomb of pashedu

The entry to the tomb of Pashedu is flanked by spectacular Anubian guardians

 

 

 

 Egyptian footed Perfume Vessel in the Shape of Two Trussed Ducks-found in upper Egypt(Thebes) 17th Dynasty

17th Dynasty Egyptian Perfume Vessel in the Shape of Two Trussed Ducks-found in upper Egypt(Thebes)

 

 

 

Sunken relief of Thoth-Luxor_temple_photo-John Bodsworth

Sunken relief of Thoth – Luxor temple

photo – John Bodsworth

 

 

 

 Papyrus art from Book of the Dead from the tomb of a scribe called Nebqed from the 18th Dynasty _louvre_museum

Part of the Book of the Dead from the tomb of a scribe called Nebqed from the 18th Dynasty. The whole papyrus is over 6 metres long.

Louvre, Paris

 

 

 

column with the face of Hathor at temple of Bastet at Bubastis_Louvre Museum

A column with the face of Hathor. From the ruins of the temple of Bastet at Bubastis from the time of Osorkon II

Louvre Museum

 

 

Egyptian wall relief of women at a funeral

Lamenting Women, from the tomb of Ramose, c. 1411-1375 BCE.

Wikipedia

 

 

 

A painting from the tomb of Nebamun showing him standing on a reed boat hunting birds in the papyrus marshes using throwsticks and three decoy herons

Wall painting from the tomb of Nebamun showing him standing on a reed boat hunting birds in the papyrus marshes using throwsticks and three decoy herons

18th dynasty c.1390 BC.

Dra Abu el-Naga, West Thebes.

Werner Forman Archive/ British Museum, London

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Egyptian wall relief - offering  perfumes and lilly flowers

Offering perfumes and lily flowers wall relief

 

 

Temple of Hathor, Dandarah, Egypt

Temple of Hathor, Dandarah, Egypt

 

 

Ancient-Egyptian-Tomb-Art-detail,-a-feast-for-Nebamun,

Ancient Egyptian Tomb Art –  a feast for Nebamun, showing musicians and dancers, painting from the tomb-chapel of Nebamun, an accountant in the Temple of Amun (Karnak), circa 1350 BC, Ancient Egypt, panel in the British Museum, London WC1. Full-face images are rare in Ancient Egyptian art.

 

 

 

 

Amenhotep III_luxor_museum

Amenhotep III

Louvre

 

 

detail-of-a-wall-painting-in-the-tomb-of-Queen-Nefertari.-Isis-Hathor-leads-the-queen-by-the-hand.

A wall painting in the tomb of Queen Nefertari. Isis/Hathor leads the queen by the hand.

19th dynasty c.1290-1220 BC. – West Thebes.

Werner Forman Archive

 

SeshatLuxor

Goddess Seshat – personification of writing

This relief in the Amun temple at Luxor dates from around 1250 BCE and shows Seshat, the goddess of temple geometry and scribal arts, inscribing regnal years for the king on the palm-leaf rib which had long served for tallying up the years and so had become the hieroglyph for “year”.

recoveredscience.com

 

 

 

Egyptian gold ankh -  symbol of life and fertility

Ankh gold-sheathed mirror case

 

 

 

Detailed  wall painting in the tomb of Amen-hor-khepeshef. The son of Ramses III wearing the side-lock of youth stands behind the pharaoh.

Egyptian wall painting in the tomb of Amen-hor-khepeshef. The son of Ramses III wearing the side-lock of youth stands behind the pharaoh.

20th dynasty c.1190-1160 BC. -Valley of the Queens, tomb 85

Werner Forman Archive/ E.Strouhal

 

 

 

egyptian_transplant  frankincense trees planted in the courts of Hatshepsut Deir el Bahari mortuary temple.

A relief commemorating Hatshepsut having frankincense trees planted in the courts of her Deir el Bahari mortuary temple.

 

 

 

Sphinx statue_louvre_museum

Sphinx statue

Although this Sphinx was usurped several times by Pharaohs as late as the 22nd Dynasty it was originally carved for Amenemhat II.

Louvre, Paris

 

 

Funerary Relief-,-18th Dynasty-,-The Louvre

Egyptian Funerary Relief, 18th Dynasty, The Louvre

 

 

Goddess-Maat-kneeling-with-outspread-wings-

Goddess Maat with outspread wings and kneeling on a hieroglyphic sign which could signify ‘mourn’, was utilized at the entrance to a number of later New Kingdom royal tombs. 19th Dynasty. Tomb of Siptah. Valley of the Kings. Western Thebes. Egypt

 

 

 

guenther-eichhorn-com-Painting-inside the Queens Temple of Abu Simbel of the Goddesse -Isis-(right) and Hathor-(left) blessing-the Queen

Painting inside the Queens Temple of Abu Simbel of the Goddesse Isis (right) and Hathor (left) blessing-the Queen

guenther-eichhorn.com

 

 

 

Hathor Fragment Elephantine Island, Egypt

Hathor sculpture fragment

Elephantine Island, Egypt

 

 

 

Horus-falcon statue

Statue of Horus in falcon form.

 Horus was the son of the Great Goddess Isis, conceived by his virgin mother after the death of her brother-husband Osiris

 

 

 

Karomama Meryetmut- Louvre Museum

Karomama Meryetmut – Louvre Museum

 

 

 

Khnum_Temple, Esna     Knum making an offering

Wall relief, Knum Temple

Esna, Egypt

 

 

 

Colossus-of-Tutmosis-IIIRed-granite

Colossus of Tutmosis III – Red granite. New Kingdom

Cairo Egyptian Museum

 

 

Detail-from-a-coffin-depicting-the-goddess-Nut-spreading-her-wings-in-protection-over-the-deceased

Painted wood from a coffin depicting the goddess Nut spreading her wings in protection over the deceased.

New Kingdom, 21st or 22nd Dynasty.

Werner Forman Archive/ British Museum, London

 

 

Lavishly-carved-wall,-Kom Ombo Egypt

Temple of Kom Ombo wall relief

 

 

 

Painting-of-a-winged-cobra-from-the-staircase-leading-to-the-burial-chamber-of-Queen-Nefertari

Painting of a winged cobra from the staircase leading to the burial chamber of Queen Nefertari. It is offering protection to a shen sign, symbol of infinity.

 New Kingdom, 18th Dynasty, 1290 – 1254 BC – Western Thebes, valley of the Queens.

Werner Forman Archive.

 

 

wall-painting-in-the-tomb-of-Queen-Nefertari.-Osiris,-god-of-the-underworld,-in-his-green-form

 

Egyptian wall painting in the tomb of Queen Nefertari. Osiris, god of the underworld, in his green form.

Pharaonic Period: 19th dynasty c.1290-1220 BC – West Thebes.

Werner Forman Archive

 

 

 statue of a seated lion from Nekhen ( Hierakonpolis ) red coloured lion sculpture

Statue of a seated lion from Nekhen ( Hierakonpolis )

Old Kingdom c.2250 BC.

Werner Forman Archive/ Ashmolean Museum, Oxford

 

 

 

The-tomb-of-Sennedjem-

 

The tomb of Sennedjem. Luxor, Egypt

The Egyptian goddess Hathor, a perfect model of the feminine principle, incarnates the radiant energy of perpetually renewable life. Numerous frescoes, like that of the tomb of Sennedjem, represent the goddess of the sycamore in the tree of life. She pours a vessel of water of life and presents her sacred fruits to the deceased, that they may nourish themselves and thus receive the benefit of eternal life.

 

 

 

Osiris relief First-Chamber---Nefertari's-Tomb

Egyptian god, Osiris – First Chamber: Nefertari’s Tomb.

 

 

 

Tomb-of-Menna-,-Luxor-,-Egypt

Wall painting – Tomb of Menna

Luxor

 

Maat-or-ma'at-was-the-ancient-Egyptian-concept-of-truth,-balance,-order,-law,-morality,-and-justice

Maat or ma’at was the ancient Egyptian concept of truth, balance, order, law, morality, and justice. Maat was also personified as a goddess regulating the stars, seasons, and the actions of both mortals and the deities.

 

 

Osiris on a lapis lazuli pillar in the middle, flanked by Horus on the left, and Isis on the right, 22nd dynasty, Louvre

Osiris on a lapis lazuli pillar in the middle, flanked by Horus on the left, and Isis on the right, 22nd dynasty, Louvre

 

 

Outside Nephertiti's temple---Abu-Simbel, Egypt Roderick MacKenzie-flickr

Huge column reliefs at Nephertiti’s temple—Abu Simbel, Egypt

Roderick MacKenzie-flickr

 

 

Tomb of Nakht 18th Dynasty     wall relief  art

Tomb of Nakht –  18th Dynasty

 

 

Tomb-of-Pashedu Luxor - painted tomb both walls and ceiling

Tomb of Pashedu

Located in the necropolis of Deir el-Medina on the West Bank at Luxor (ancient Thebes).

 

 

 

Stela-of-Horus-the-Younger,-Inscribed-with-Magical-Spells

Horus the younger

 

 

 

Wall-painting-of-Nefertar i-  Nefertari Tomb scenes, Valley of the Queens, Egypt

Nefertari Tomb paimting – Valley of the Queens, Egypt

 

 

 

Temple relief of Winged Goddess between the Apis Bull and a winged lion on the left.

Isis the Winged Goddess between the Apis Bull and a winged lion on the left.

Temple of Kom Ombo

Isis, is represented like this but she has a single feather on her head, which is usually a sign of the Goddess Ma’at

http://guenther-eichhorn.com/

 

 

 

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Tjepu, from Thebes, Tomb 181, New Kingdom

 

 

 

Nefertem,-Egyptian-Deities,-god-of-healing-and-beauty,-symbol-of-fragrance-and-water-lily,-son-of-Ptah-and-Sekhmet

Nefertem,  god of healing and beauty, symbol of fragrance and the water-lily, son of Ptah and Sekhmet

 

 

ng-im-garten-amarna-berlinArtist's-sketch--Walk-in-the-Garden-limestone;-New-Kingdom,-18th-dynasty,-c

Walk in the Garden limestone relief of a royal couple in the Armana style;

New Kingdom, 18th dynasty, c. 1335 BCA

 

 

 

 

Zodiac-Ceiling relief Temple-of-Hathor,-Dendera

Dendera Zodiac  – ceiling relief Temple of Hathor

 

 

 

wall-painting-in-the-tomb-of-Horemheb.-The-goddess-Hathor-Isis-faces-the-pharaoh.-The-god-Harsiese-is-on-the-right.

Wall paintings in the Tomb of Horemheb, showing the Goddess Hathor (left) facing the Pharoh and the god Harsiese is on the center right)

18th dynasty c.1330-1305BC – Valley of the Kings, tomb 57.

 

 

 

Quartzite-head-of-king-Amenmesse-He-is-wearing-the-blue-crown-of-Egypt

Quartzite head of king Amenmesse He is wearing the crown of Egypt.

New Kingdom Dynasty

 

 

 

Queen-Ahmose-Nefertari wall relief

Queen Ahmose Nefertari

 

 

Stela-of-Amenemhat-and-His-Mother-YatuMiddle-Kingdom,-Dynasty-12,-ca

Stela of Amenemhat and His Mother Yatu

Middle Kingdom, Dynasty 12, ca. 1976-1794 BCE

Art Institute of Chicago

 

 

 

The Narmer Palette is one of the earliest historical records from ancient Egypt. It records King Narmer’s victory over Lower Egypt,

The Narmer Palette is one of the earliest historical records from ancient Egypt. It records King Narmer’s victory over Lower Egypt,

 

 

 

The Royal Scribe and Chief Steward of Memphis, Amenhotepamong the ruins of the temple of Osiris at Abydos in 1903.

A statue of Amenhotep,the Royal Scribe and Chief Steward of Memphis, among the ruins of the temple of Osiris at Abydos

1903

 

 

Tomb of Pashedu, showing a procession of Gods-West-Bank-at-Luxor-(ancient-Thebes)

Ancient Egyptian art from the Tomb of Pashedu, showing a procession of Gods. 13th century BC

Deir el-Medina on the West Bank at Luxor (ancient Thebes).

 

 

 

Wall Relief of Hathor in the Temple of Horus in Edfu. Stone carved  image of a standing Hathor

Relief of Hathor in the Temple of Horus in Edfu, Egypt

 

 

 

Ra the Sun God The Egyptian-sun-god-Ra-was-said-to-sail-his-boat-across-the-sky-by-day-and-carry-it-back-through-the-underworld-by-night.-This-depiction-of-Ra-is-from-the-tomb-of-Nefertari

Ra the Sun God.

The Egyptian sun god Ra was said to sail his boat across the sky by day and carry it back through the underworld by night. This depiction of Ra is from the tomb of Nefertari.

 

 

ReliefTemple18dynasty Medja Temple Relief Nubia - four Nubian warriors

Nubian warriors, Medja Temple Relief, Nubia

 
 
 
 
 

 

1 Comment

  1. Posted May 10, 2023 at 1:21 pm | Permalink

    I am still impressed by the works of these great masters. Can anyone imagine walking through the great halls, seeing such beauty on the walls?

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  1. By Top 10 Famous Ancient Egyptian Paintings on October 6, 2021 at 2:33 am

    […] either religious or showing the past and the things that people enjoyed doing. Most of the ancient Egyptian reliefs used to be […]

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