Proportion and Style in Ancient Egyptian Art

by Gay Robins, Ann S. Fowler (Illustrator)

Overview

The painted and relief-cut walls of ancient Egyptian tombs and temples record an amazing continuity of customs and beliefs over nearly 3,000 years. Even the artistic style of the scenes seems unchanging, but this appearance is deceptive. In this work, Gay Robins offers convincing evidence, based on a study of Egyptian usage of grid systems and proportions, that innovation and stylistic variation played a significant role in ancient Egyptian art.

Robins thoroughly explores the squared grid systems used by the ancient artists to proportion standing, sitting, and kneeling human figures. This investigation yields the first chronological account of proportional variations in male and female figures from the Early Dynastic to the Ptolemaic periods. Robins discusses in detail the proportional changes underlying the revolutionary style instituted during the Amarna Period. She also considers how the grid system influenced the composition of scenes as a whole. Numerous line drawings with superimposed grids illustrate the text.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780292770645
Publisher:	University of Texas Press
Publication date:	02/01/1994
Pages:	296
Product dimensions:	8.50(w) x 11.00(h) x 0.70(d)

About the Author

Gay Robins is Professor Emerita of Art History at Emory University.

Table of Contents

Preface
Acknowledgments
1. Introduction
2. Previous Work on the Grid and Proportions
3. Methods
4. Proportions in the Old and Middle Kingdoms
5. Proportions in the New Kingdom
6. Changes in the Amarna Period
7. The Late Period and After
8. Composition and the Grid
9. Nonhuman Elements and the Grid
10. Changing Proportions and Style
Abbreviations
Notes
Bibliography
Index

Editorial Reviews

Shows that innovation and stylistic variation played a major role in ancient Egyptian art. Explains the Egyptians' use of grid systems and proportions, and provides the first chronological account of proportional variations in male and female figures from the Early Dynastic to the Ptolemic periods. Paper edition (unseen), $19.95. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

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