DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.67683#0052
EGYPTIAN PERIOD
2.8
PAINTING
The painting of early Egypt is best represented by the Geese of
Meidum (Pl. 6 a). On a panel are two pairs of waddling ducks
and geese feeding; small clumps of herbage are scantily suggested.
The artist who painted this panel had observed ducks and geese
closely enough to be familiar with the clumsy gait and the
“grave self-sufficiency ” of the ducks, with the curves of the neck
of the goose as it bends for food and with the characteristic
markings of the plumage. The significant aspects alone he has
reproduced in his painting, using essential lines only and flat
tones, with no light and shade and no perspective. Furthermore,
he has arranged his birds in such a way that they form a compo-
sition balanced but free from monotony because of the variety
in the plumage. The result is a work of superbly decorative
design.
MINOR ARTS
But it was not in the fields of architecture, sculpture, and paint-
ing alone that early Egyptian art excelled. Supplementing these
were the products of various craftsmen; and if we would under-
stand aright the art of Egypt we must not disregard the creations
of the goldsmith, stone-cutter, the weaver, and other craftsmen.
In neolithic times man had developed stone-cutting until he
flaked knives that were beautiful in shape and precise in tech-
nique (Pl. 8 c). Thus the stone-cutter in historic times had an
inherited tradition; and with the invention, before 3000 b.c.,
of the stone-pointed drill with a shaft, fly-wheel, and crank
for turning (Fig. 2.0) and, somewhat after 3000 b.c., of the
tubular drill of metal, he was enabled to produce vessels of as-
tonishing quality for various household purposes — for the
table, for storage, and for the toilet. Such hard stones as por-
phyry, diorite, and hematite were used, as is seen in Pl. 8 d,
where the variegated color of the stone adds a decorative quality.
A bowl like this was first shaped from the block of stone; then
the inside was drilled out. If it had a wide mouth, it might be
put on a wheel and ground while revolving, just as the potter
molded his vase by keeping it moving with treadles. Finally,
the exterior was ground to a polish. Among the softer stones
alabaster was widely used (Pl. 8 e), for not only was its creamy
white color attractive but the veining could be utilized by a
skilled craftsman as a decorative element. The shape and size
vary greatly; from the tiny jar for unguent to the great storage
jars, bowls, and plates a foot in diameter. Some of these stone
2.8
PAINTING
The painting of early Egypt is best represented by the Geese of
Meidum (Pl. 6 a). On a panel are two pairs of waddling ducks
and geese feeding; small clumps of herbage are scantily suggested.
The artist who painted this panel had observed ducks and geese
closely enough to be familiar with the clumsy gait and the
“grave self-sufficiency ” of the ducks, with the curves of the neck
of the goose as it bends for food and with the characteristic
markings of the plumage. The significant aspects alone he has
reproduced in his painting, using essential lines only and flat
tones, with no light and shade and no perspective. Furthermore,
he has arranged his birds in such a way that they form a compo-
sition balanced but free from monotony because of the variety
in the plumage. The result is a work of superbly decorative
design.
MINOR ARTS
But it was not in the fields of architecture, sculpture, and paint-
ing alone that early Egyptian art excelled. Supplementing these
were the products of various craftsmen; and if we would under-
stand aright the art of Egypt we must not disregard the creations
of the goldsmith, stone-cutter, the weaver, and other craftsmen.
In neolithic times man had developed stone-cutting until he
flaked knives that were beautiful in shape and precise in tech-
nique (Pl. 8 c). Thus the stone-cutter in historic times had an
inherited tradition; and with the invention, before 3000 b.c.,
of the stone-pointed drill with a shaft, fly-wheel, and crank
for turning (Fig. 2.0) and, somewhat after 3000 b.c., of the
tubular drill of metal, he was enabled to produce vessels of as-
tonishing quality for various household purposes — for the
table, for storage, and for the toilet. Such hard stones as por-
phyry, diorite, and hematite were used, as is seen in Pl. 8 d,
where the variegated color of the stone adds a decorative quality.
A bowl like this was first shaped from the block of stone; then
the inside was drilled out. If it had a wide mouth, it might be
put on a wheel and ground while revolving, just as the potter
molded his vase by keeping it moving with treadles. Finally,
the exterior was ground to a polish. Among the softer stones
alabaster was widely used (Pl. 8 e), for not only was its creamy
white color attractive but the veining could be utilized by a
skilled craftsman as a decorative element. The shape and size
vary greatly; from the tiny jar for unguent to the great storage
jars, bowls, and plates a foot in diameter. Some of these stone