The artworks of ancient Egypt have fascinated people for thousands of years. The early Greek and later Roman artists were influenced by Egyptian techniques and their art would inspire those of other cultures up to the present day. Many artists are known from later periods but those of Egypt are completely anonymous and for a very interesting reason: their art was functional and created for a practical purpose whereas later art was intended for aesthetic pleasure. Functional art is work-made-for-hire, belonging to the individual who commissioned it, while art created for pleasure - even if commissioned - allows for greater expression of the artist's vision and so recognition of an individual artist.
More about: Ancient Egyptian Art8 days left
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Definition
Timeline
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c. 6000 BCE - c. 3150 BCEArt develops during the Predynastic Period in Egypt.
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c. 3150 BCE - c. 2613 BCEArtwork becomes more elaborate during the Early Dynastic Period in Egypt.
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c. 3150 BCEThe Narmer Palette is created, a high point in Egyptian art of the period.
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c. 2670 BCEImhotep creates King Djoser's Step Pyramid and Pyramid Complex at Saqqara, Egypt.
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c. 2613 BCE - 2181 BCEArt becomes standardized by the king during the Old Kingdom of Egypt.
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c. 2500 BCEEgyptians invent the technique of filigree in the manufacture of gold objects.
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2181 BCE - 2040 BCEArt is mass-produced during the First Intermediate Period of Egypt.
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2040 BCE - 1782 BCEArt reaches its greatest height during the Middle Kingdom of Egypt.
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c. 1782 BCE - c. 1570 BCEArt is influenced by the Hyksos and Nubians during the Second Intermediate Period of Egypt.
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c. 1570 BCE - c. 1069 BCEStyles and techniques of other cultures influence Egyptian art during the period of the New Kingdom. Some of the most famous works created.
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c. 1550 BCE - 1070 BCEComposition of the Egyptian Book of the Dead.
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c. 1370 BCE - c. 1336 BCELife of Egyptian queen Nefertiti.
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1279 BCE - 1212 BCEReign of Ramesses II (The Great) in Egypt.
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c. 1264 BCE - c. 1244 BCEProbable dates for the construction of Abu Simbel.
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c. 1244 BCE - c. 1224 BCEOther probable dates for the construction of Abu Simbel.
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c. 1069 BCE - 525 BCEThe artwork of the Third Intermediate Period of Egypt tries to carry on New Kingdom standards with varying levels of success.
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525 BCE - 332 BCEArt of the Late Period of Ancient Egypt is influenced by Persian and Kushite rule.
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323 BCE - 30 BCEEgyptian art fuses with Greek styles during the Ptolemaic Dynasty.
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30 BCE - 646 CEEgyptian art combines with Roman in Roman Egypt.