Comparing and Contrasting Egyptian and Greek Art

          Egyptian and Greek art have similarities and differences. Both art types changed and expanded until over the years turned into modern art we see today. Greek art was heavily influenced by the Egyptian’s paintings and sculptures that came before them. Both culture’s art depict the cultural ideals and beliefs which help us understand the humans who lived during these time periods.

This picture here is of the Egyptian Book of the Dead (16th Century BC)

 This scroll was called “The Book of Coming Forth by Day” by the Egyptians. The Egyptians were very spiritual people, paid attention to detail around them and believed in life after death.  Scrolls like this one were buried with people who were wealthy enough to afford them. This depicts magical spells to help bring the deceased soul to the afterlife. This scroll was from a woman’s tomb that died around 1100 BC. It is longer than seventeen feet according to the British Museum where it is held today. In the scroll we see the classic Egyptian depiction of figures from the profile view. The feet and body and head are all in the profile position. Egyptian art is either seen as completely forward forms or from the profile side. The hands of the females are up in the air to signify respect towards which seems like is the afterlife god. The figure sitting on the throne is colored completely black compared to the three females before the throne who look like different variations of flesh tones. The different hair lengths and jewelry of the three females show the cosmetic aspect of the culture at the time as well. The cobra on top of the multi colored throne signifies power and strength. The color of blue underneath the throne that the God of the afterlife figure is sitting on is a sign of royalty. It looks like there are eyes above the throne which is probably representative of The Eye of Horus or The Eye of Ra which was a symbol of protection, royal power and good health to the Egyptian people. There are pots and vases and other things in the picture that are being piled up in front of the throne. Egyptians were often buried with essential everyday possessions like tools, riches, and furniture to help make them more comfortable in the afterlife. The hieroglyphics written on the walls of the scroll are instructional spells to ward off danger and gain strength to help the deceased survive through the dangerous afterlife world.  

          In contrast to the Egyptian’s spiritual and symbolic art, Greek style art was more focused on the cultures idealistic view of the human form. The Greeks believed that the human being was the highest form of life created with physical perfection and gifted with reason. The first phase of Greek art was called the Archaic Period. The Athenian “red figure” vases were popular and usually depicted scenes. This is similar to the Egyptian style of depicting an important event or scene even though the depictions were of different categories.

These two pictures are of different viewpoints of a Psykter (520–510 B.C) and it is a red-figure.  Its height is 13 5/8 in. (34.59 cm) according to the Metropolitan Museum of Art website. A psykter was a vase that the Greeks used to cool wine. They would use the vase by placing it in a bucket of water and then placing the wine in the vase. This vase depicts young athletes being instructed by their trainers. The boys are nude which was not unusual for the time period and the trainers are wearing mantles.All the figures are drawn from the profile angle just like the Egyptian scroll figures.  For this scene to be depicted it is assumed that it was an important aspect of Greek life. In contrast to the Egyptian arts found, Greek art not only documents important scenes but also everyday activities and events, not just royal or religious scenes like the Egyptians did. I can see one athlete is holding a long pole or stick and another athlete is holding what looks likes weights. Underneath each figure their name are inscribed and some additional information also but I cannot see those words from the pictures. There is also a person who is playing the flute to accompany the athletes’ exercising. These figures are drawn with bold lines and seem to be separate pieces of art that combine together to create this scene. Each figure is somewhat unique and is depicted in the mist of doing a different activity. These figures are doing different things but don’t look extremely unique due to the lack of detailed personal characteristics.  This is kind of a contrast yet similar to the unique personal details of the women seen in the Egyptian scroll art yet they were doing the same activity of bringing gifts to the afterlife god. This vase painting was by Oltos whose signature was on it.  His signature is found on another piece of art in Berlin and one in Tarquinia.