Ancient Art: Comparing Egyptian and Greek Sculpture
Ancient Art: Egypt and Greece
Egyptian Art
Egyptian art is characterized by several key factors:
- Geography: Art sought harmonious integration with the Egyptian landscape.
- Religion: Strict religious rules heavily influenced artistic expression.
- Monarchy: Art served the pharaoh as an earthly divinity.
The two fundamental notions of Egyptian art are its grandeur and its emphasis on eternity.
- Grandeur: Monumental structures were designed to harmonize with the vastness of the surrounding space.
- Eternity: Achieved through the use of stone and reinforced by the deep cohesion of Egyptian artistic style. This cohesion was fostered by the country’s isolation, which limited external influences.
The Egyptians did not focus on beauty for its own sake. The purpose of art was practical and timeless. Artists were viewed as craftsmen, and their names are rarely known. Their work was seen as a continuation of the order established by the gods.
Egyptian art adhered to strict religious dogma, often combining human bodies with animal heads. Egyptian art did not prioritize humanity over nature.
Greek Art
Greek sculpture, particularly during the classical period, achieved a high level of perfection. It employed a formal language that reflected the ideal citizen. The human figure was central.
Early Greek art shared similarities with Egyptian sculpture. Primarily, Greek sculpture depicted athletes and gods, striving for naturalism while maintaining idealization. Sculptors developed their own standards of beauty, focusing on proportion and harmony, and gradually incorporating movement. Dimensions became more human-scaled compared to the colossal scale of Egyptian art. The technique of using wet drapery, where fabric clings to the skin, revealing the underlying form, was employed.
Archaic Period
Sculpture during this period represents a transition from Egyptian traditions. Male and female figures exhibit frontality and stiffness, although the archaic smile appears, softening the face without expressing specific emotions.
Classical Period (5th Century BC)
This period coincided with political and social prosperity. The primary goal was to represent ideal beauty in the human body. Noble models and themes were chosen, and poses were somewhat rigid. Key sculptors include Myron, Phidias, and Polykleitos.
Post-Classical Period (4th Century BC)
Sculptors aimed for greater movement, naturalness, and elegance. Prominent sculptors include Praxiteles, Scopas, and Lysippus.
Hellenistic Sculpture
This period saw a mix of trends, with a focus on anecdotal subjects and diverse ages and situations. The pursuit of beauty was secondary to strength and expression, as exemplified by the Venus de Milo.