Djoser and Imhotep Art History Essay

Exclusively available on Available only on IvyPanda® Made by Human No AI

Netjerikhet Djoser, also known as Zoser, was probably the famous King who ruled Egypt in the third Dynasty for 19 years.

His name means “the divine body” and he is remembered for commissioning the construction of step pyramid which was architectural work of Imhotep. Historical facts have revealed that the relation between Dsojer and Imhopet was cordial.

Imhotep was a highly respected Egyptian polymath, architect and a doctor who lived in Egypt between 2650 and 2600BC. He constructed the first Pyramid in Egypt which was commissioned by King Djoser.

Inscription in some statues describes Imhopet as “Chancellor of the king in lower Egypt”. Early history sources reveal that he may have been born in the Memphis while others suggest that he may have originated from Thebes and served under King Djoser who reigned between 2630 to 2611BC.

Historians still value his accomplishments which include the construction of Egypt’s first Pyramid that was a Djoser’s step pyramid in Saqqara.

His role in writing was mainly in medical texts. He is believed to have authored descriptions of over 90 anatomical terms and 50 injuries. He also founded a medical school in Memphis.

Evaluation realism in the Egyptian Arts

Egyptian rules of art, sculpture, paintings, and relief carving were so diverse that did not depict the realities in life. Most paintings were religious and depicted numerous gods and goddesses.

Because Egyptians observe law and order, complex rules for how Gods and humans were represented in paintings, carvings and sculpture were developed.

Figures in paintings and size of sculpture were calculated by the status of a person as opposed to normal rules of linear perspective which brings out a real image. For example, men statues were painted in darker color than the female ones.

Symbolism was a feature that was greatly used in paintings. Some colours had more than one meaning. For example, red symbolized power or strength as well as fire. Green was a symbol of new life, fertility and growth. Yellow was associated with kings and royals.

The same yellow color symbolized purity and eternity (Stokstad 138). Paintings in tombs are good examples of the Egyptian art that has no realism. The pictures depicted life after death. They would show pictures of boats, and birds transporting food to the deceased.

As paintings and sculptures did not depict realism, relief carving had some elements of it. Some surviving relief sculptures found in the tomb of Hesire at Saqqara have figures of men standing, or seated, that are carved proportionally to the convention of ideal manhood. These carvings had definite sizes in three dimensions.

Figures represented by relief carvings in a room had proper place with a defined shape and size which ensured that space is well used being an indication that these forms of art depicted realism.

Falcon and the Egyptian art

Falcon represents Horus, the true Pharaoh, and the Sun God. He was a symbol of rising sun in Egypt. The ancient Egypt regarded the Sun and the Moon as great falcon Horus’ eyes. Falcon Horus was a deity with various functions.

He could fly and protect kings, had powers to guard and protect (Stokstad, 34). Other forms in which the Egyptian arts were represented were falcon headed Ra with sun disk along with Falcon mummy with gilt coffin.

Works Cited

Stokstad, Marilyn. Art history. 3rd ed. Upper Saddle River, N.J.: Pearson Prentice Hall, 2008. Print.

More related papers Related Essay Examples
Cite This paper
You're welcome to use this sample in your assignment. Be sure to cite it correctly

Reference

IvyPanda. (2019, April 10). Djoser and Imhotep Art History. https://ivypanda.com/essays/djoser-and-imhotep-art-history/

Work Cited

"Djoser and Imhotep Art History." IvyPanda, 10 Apr. 2019, ivypanda.com/essays/djoser-and-imhotep-art-history/.

References

IvyPanda. (2019) 'Djoser and Imhotep Art History'. 10 April.

References

IvyPanda. 2019. "Djoser and Imhotep Art History." April 10, 2019. https://ivypanda.com/essays/djoser-and-imhotep-art-history/.

1. IvyPanda. "Djoser and Imhotep Art History." April 10, 2019. https://ivypanda.com/essays/djoser-and-imhotep-art-history/.


Bibliography


IvyPanda. "Djoser and Imhotep Art History." April 10, 2019. https://ivypanda.com/essays/djoser-and-imhotep-art-history/.

If, for any reason, you believe that this content should not be published on our website, please request its removal.
Updated:
This academic paper example has been carefully picked, checked and refined by our editorial team.
No AI was involved: only quilified experts contributed.
You are free to use it for the following purposes:
  • To find inspiration for your paper and overcome writer’s block
  • As a source of information (ensure proper referencing)
  • As a template for you assignment
1 / 1