The Art of Egypt - Early Dynastic Period, Old Kingdom

The early Dynastic Period, marked by the Oldartwork was depicted in full & front view, with
Kingdom is the founding era of the Egyptianmostly flat color tones projected in a linear
Civilization. Famous for its innovation, intelligence, andperspective.
exponential development, especially in art &The notable Pharaoh of this period was Djoser, who
architecture, the Old Kingdom is a thorough saga ofhad ordered the construction of the "Steep
creative competence. The Egyptian Civilization wasPyramids," symbolically considered the staircase to
divided into the Early Dynastic Period (3100 BC),stars. The tomb of Pharaoh Djoser, serves as one of
which included the first & the second dynasty,the foundation stones of these Pyramids. During the
and Old Kingdom (2600 BC), entailing third to sixthlater Egyptian dynasties, the 'steep' Pyramids style
dynasty.transitioned to 'true,' to symbolize the growing
The Early Dynastic Period of Egypt was divided intoimportance of the mighty sun as God. In order to
two civilizations of Lower & Upper Egypt. Thereallow weight balance, Pharaoh Sneferu (2613-2589),
was an actual unification of the two lands by thebuilt the Pyramids with their axis oriented from east
then Pharaoh Narmer, depicted even in the famousto west. Another notable architectural wonder of the
Narmer Palette, the royal insignia. The famousOld Kingdom of Egypt was the colossal figure of
architecture of this period was the complex and theseated "Pharaoh Khafra," Pyramids builder in the Old
colossal tombstones at Abydos and Saqqara, theKingdom. This figure is embossed with symbols, like
foundations for the great Pyramids.hawk bird depicting protective God, Horus, a mortal
With the advent of the Old Kingdom, Egyptian artruler, and the united tendrils of a plant, depicting
& culture revolutionized and evolved from thatUpper and Lower Egypt.
of the Early Dynastic Period. The prime importance ofDefinitely, Egyptian Dynasties innovated and laid the
religious beliefs in this era is well evidenced throughfoundation for prosperous future civilizations. The
the then paintings & sculptures. The Egyptiansmysterious paintings and architecture of Egyptians
believed in life after death, which they portrayedhowever, continue to intrigue art historians the world
through their paintings, depicting appropriate Gods,over. Nevertheless, the 'Gift of Nile' stands as an
such as "Osiris and Warriors." Art was disciplined onambitious saga of artistry.
the laws of frontality, where the subject of an