Egyptian Art

Egyptian Art refers to the style of painting, sculpture, crafts and architecture developed by the civilization in the lower Nile Valley from 5000 BC to 300 AD. Egyptian Art as expression in painting and sculpture was both high stylized and symbolic. Much of the surviving art comes from tombs and monuments and thus there is emphasis on life after death and the preservation of knowledge of the past.

Symbolism also played an important role in establishing a sense of order. Symbolism, ranging from the pharaoh's regalia (symbolizing his power to maintain order) to the individual symbols of Egyptian gods and goddesses, is omnipresent in Egyptian art. Animal were usually also highly symbolic figures in Egyptian art. Colors were more expressive rather than natural. Red skin implied youth, while yellow skin was used for women or middle aged men who worked indoors. Blue or gold indicated divinity because of its unnatural appearance and association with precious materials. The use of black for royal figures expressed the fertility of the Nile from which Egypt was born. Stereotypes were employed to indicate the geographical origins of foreigners. 

Egyptian Art was shown in many different forms including: Architecture, Paper, Pottery, Sculpture, Hieroglyphs, Literature, and Paintings. Below are some examples of Egyptian Art.

Architecture- Great Pyramids

http://library.thinkquest.org/11114/pictures/egypt2.gif

Paper- The Book of the Dead

http://www.egyptsbookofthedead.com/images_or/page3lg.jpg

Sculpture- Nefertiti

http://www.ancientscuplturegallery.com/images/274.jpg

Hieroglyphs

http://www.molon.de/galleries/Egypt/Luxor/Kings/images01/06%20Hieroglyphs.jpg