EGYPTIAN ARCHITECTURE

Form and Function

The Pyramid

PEASANTS

LAND OWNERS AND NOBILITY

PRIESTLY CASTE

PHAROAHS

Social Responsibility of the Pharaoh

• It’s good to be king, and GOD…….• Except their RESPONSIBILITY was to keep the

universe balanced and orderly!!• The could be blamed droughts and famines• Sometimes they responded to their

obligations by creating socially beneficial public works

PREDYNATSIC MASTABAS

IMHOTEP and DJOSER

• First recorded name of an artist in the world• Master builder for King Djoser – 3rd Dynasty

(2630)• Also a high priest of the sun god Re• After his death deified as the son of the god

Ptah

What are the facts? (F)

Artist: ImohtepPatron: King DjoserTitle: Stepped Pyramid of DjoserDate: 2,630 BCEPeriod/Style: Early Dynastic – 3rd DynastySize: MonumentalLocation / findspot: Saqqara Egypt

What is the medium and technique? (M)

200 feet highStacked stone mastabas

WHY WAS IT CREATED (CA) 1. PHYSICAL LOCATIONAt Saqqara – at the necropolis of Memphis. Stands in the center of a rectangular enclosure. surrounded by a 34’ limestone wall

2. Patron – King Djoser

3. Historical EventCommissioned by Djoser in preparationn for his death and the afterlife

4. CONCEPTS AND IDEASIt is a fortified tomb – not a temple.

Meant to house the deceased Pharaoh who is also considered divine

Tightly regulated access (unlike Cemetary at UR – which did not have at UrUderground resembles a palace = continuation between the living and the afterlife

How is the structure constructed? (FA)

Composed of a series of mastabas of diminishing size – enlarged twice before completion. STAIRCASE to the sky

Funerary temple stands against the Northern side of the Pyramid – where priests performed daily rituals in honor of the divine Pharaoh

Most of the other structures are “dummy” structures

3-6 Column entrance to Djoser

SHAFTS

Engaged Columns

Capitals

Structural adornment and other structural elements such as columns were meant to imitatePlant forms which were transformed into temporary structures erected during the Jubille – a celebration meant to affirm the Pharaoh’s royal existence in the afterlife

Columns: Papyrus, a symbol of Lower Egupt

Meaning/Function (MF)

• Dual function to protect the king and his possessions so that his KA may live on in the afterlife

• To symbolize, by its gigantic presence, his absolute and godlike power

Old Kingdom Architecture• Great wealth = huge architectural programs• Gizeh: 3 pyramid over 75 years = CONTINUITY

What are the facts? (F)

Artist: Trades PeoplePatron: 4th Dynasty PharaohsTitle: Pyramids of GizehDate: 2,500 BCESize: MonumentalLocation / findspot: Cairo, Egypt What is the medium and technique?

(M) Stone Masonry

1. Physical LocationEach side oriented to the cardinal points of the compass 2. PatronPharoahs -Khufu, Khafre and Menkaure

3. Historical EventsGreat wealth = Continuity and building programs

4. Concepts and IdeasRise of the cult of RE – sun godPyramid becomes the symbol of the sun godThe son’s rays are believed to be the ladder to heaven The Pyramids were where the king was reborn just as the sun is reborn each day

WHY WAS IT CREATED (CA)

How is the structure constructed? (FA)Smooth surfaces = rays of the son

Aligned with cardinal points

Temples are now on the east side facing the rising sun = symbol of rebirth in afterlife

Smaller pyramid structures are for Queens

Court members buried in adjacent mastabas = prize place in afterlife

Meaning/Function Multi-building complex is not just a funerary tomb but a palace for the afterlife

Khufu’s Pyramid

Boats for the afterlife• Khufu’s mortuary complex also included seven large boat pits. Five of these are located to

the east of the pyramid and were a sort of model; these brick-lined boat shaped elements were probably intended for use in the afterlife to transport the king to stellar destinations.

• In addition to these model boat pits, however, on the south side of the pyramid Khufu had two massive, rectangular stone lined pits that contained completely disassembled boats.

• These boats appear to have been used for the funerary procession and as ritual objects connected to the last earthly voyage of the king, and were then dismantled and interred.

Pop QuizWhat are the facts? (F)Artist: Trades PersonPatron: Khafre, PharaohTitle: Khafre enthronedDate: 2,520 BCEPeriod/Style: Old KingdomSize: 5’ 6”Location / findspot: Pyramids of Gizeh, Pharaoh’s Valley temple

What are the facts? (F)

Artist: Trades PeoplePatron: 4th Dynasty Pharaoh KhafreTitle: Great SphinxDate: 2,500 BCESize: MonumentalLocation / findspot: Gizeh Pyramids, Cairo, Egypt

What is the medium and technique? (M) Carved bedrock

What is the artworks content / subject matter? (SM)

Portrait of Khafre with a lions body

1. PHYSICAL LOCATIONBeside the Causeway and adjacent to the king’sValley temple = dominatesthe entrance

2. Patron Khafre

3. CONCEPTS AND IDEASThe Sphinx is associated was associated with the sun god as a symbol of the horizon

RE has become the central god for 4th dynasty Pharoahs

Lions symbolize fearsome strength, king of beats

WHY WAS IT CREATED (CA)

MEANING / FUNCTION (MF)Communicates that the Pharaoah commands human intelligence as well as the fearsome strength of and authority of the king of the beasts

How is the subject matter visually represented? How do the visual qualities support the function? (FA)

Formal headdress and beard

Still body and compact posture

No movement signifying stability and eternity

Intimidating size