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Lesson 7: Art in Early Civilizations

Module 7

This lesson will give you knowledge about the Western Art History and the
contributions in art during Prehistoric Art, Egyptian Art and Amarna Revolution. This
module will help you to know why art is linked with religion in early Egyptian civilization.

At the end of the module, you are expected to:

1. discuss how art was used by prehistoric people to depict everyday life
2. differentiate the techniques used during the three kingdoms of early Egypt
3. explain how art is linked with religion in early Egyptian civilization

Stone age used to describe a period of history when stones were used to
make tools for survival. Stone age culture consists of three periods namely; Paleolithic,
Mesolithic and Neolithic. The unearthing of archeological artifacts and remains provides
the modern society a glimpse of the beliefs, practices, and activities of early
civilizations. The early people produced materials that will reflect their attitudes and
belief systems on spiritual, social, political and economic matters. Most ancient artworks
depict religious symbols.
Prehistoric Art

Stone age has witnessed how humans were able to lead more stable lives
and eventually come up with permanent settlements, paving the way for the rise of early
civilizations. It has witnessed how humans were able to lead more stable lives and
come up with permanent shelters and tools for survival. Also, it turned to the creation of
paintings and sculptures that depict humans, animals and their natural habitats. During
this time, there were attempts to record the kind of lives they led and the central to the
representation of early civilizations would be the establishing of possible linkages
among art, religion and life

Paleolithic Art is a product of climate change because as the climate change

got colder, the human instinct is to look for shelters that would provide them with
warmth. The protective havens were the caves and it paved the way for the birth of their
first attempts to create art. One cave painting can be traced back to Lascaux, France
and it was called the “ Hall of Bulls”.

The paintings evoke naturalism which is seen through the contours of the
animals’ body and their dark colors. Early humans used their own spray-painting
techniques. Artworks can be considered ornamental. Most of these works were
discovered inside the deep recesses of caves and some of the walls and ceilings of the
caves have paintings and considered as a kind of sanctuary. Religious rituals transpired
within the confines of the caves. Some believed that there was a linkage between what
was drawn and what could happen in real life. For example, drawing or painting of the
actual capturing of an animal in real life. In addition, it reflected some of the early beliefs
of humans especially with life and fertility. (eg. sculpture – “Venus of Willendorf”). The
figure is highly abstracted woman from highlighted body parts associated with fertility. It
shows the importance of taking care of these body parts for procreation and
consequently the survival of species.

Neolithic Art

They have learned to cultivate the land and domesticate animals. There were
several monuments and architectural structures erected. One of them is the
Stonehenge located in Southern England. The purpose of this fascinating edifice
remains a mystery up to this day and age. Some regard it as a temple while others see
it as complex calendar the tracked the movements of both the Sun and Moon but still it
remains as one of the architectural wonders of the world has ever seen. In addition, it is
notable that most early civilizations emerged and flourished in river valleys: the Nile in
Egypt, Indus in India, Tigris and Euphrates in Mesopotamia and Huang Ho River in
China.
Egyptian Art

The Fertile Ribbon starts from the banks of the Nile River, which flows north
to Africa and ventures into the Mediterranean. Early Egyptians recognized the integral
role of the Nile River to their daily lives and it led to the belief that it is to be worshipped
as a god. With this came the notion of art was something that can be ascribed and
associated with religion. The Early civilization can be divided into three period: Old,
Middle and New Kingdom.

Old Kingdom

It was evident that religion was bound to afterlife. A concrete manifestation of

this were the erection of tombs but it were not just for keeping the dead bodies of
important people like pharaoh; they also served as a shelter for the next journey, which
is the afterlife. They decorated the tombs with everyday objects and in the walls of the
tombs were also decorated and carved.

One of the cosmetic palettes found in the Egypt was called the Narmer
Palette. It was a symbol that commemorates the unification of Upper and Lower Egypt
and it was marked the beginning of their civilization. The Narmer Palette is one of the
artifacts that emphasize the king’s supreme and absolute authority. Permanence was
important because the Egyptian tomb sculptures would serve as the house of the ka or
soul once the remains of the mummy disintegrate.

One of the architectural wonders were the pyramids in Giza. The main
purpose was to provide a resting place for the pharaohs. The construction of the
pyramids highlighted the ingenuity and advancement of the Egyptians for their time.
They used a system of ropes and pulleys and it also highlighted the reverence of the
people for their pharaoh at the expense of the citizens. A lot of the workers died or
punished for not reaching the quota in the process of constructing these massive
architectural structures.

Middle Kingdom

One of the key features is a shift in the political hierarchy and there is an
emergence of powerful groups of landlords that threatened the authority and rule of the
pharaoh. Because of the integral struggle between these two influential sides, art has
taken a back seat during this time. During the rule of King Mentuhotep, Egypt eventually
got back on track and art has some references from the Old Kingdom. The styles that
were emerged: portrait sculptures and fresco paintings. To solve the problem o fthieves
that plunder the tombs, the Egyptians made rock-cut tombs by carving out a living rock.
The insides of the tombs were filled with chambers and the hallways were lavishly
decorated to celebrate the life of the deceased. The foreign invaders eventually fell into
the hands of the Hyksos, the Asiatic Tribe who introduced Bronze Age weapons and
horses.

New Kingdom

It was a time of expansionism through territorial acquisition and it came an

increase of wealth leading not only to economic but also political stability. Monuments
and sculptures were still linked with death and reverence for the deceased. Also, they
started having mortuary temples. These temples also served as a place of worship for
the living. During this period, Egypt has established itself as a more advanced and
powerful civilization.

Amarna Revolution

After the New Kingdom , Egypt witnessed the Amarna Revolution led by King
Akhenaton and Queen Nefertiti. He moved the capital to Tel El-Amarna and during his
reign, King Amenhotep wanted to revolutionize the arts and religion. He changed his
name to Akhenaton, came from Aton who is the sun god and it signified the shift in
religion. During this period, the only god to revere was Aton. Akhenaton ordered to tear
down all monuments of other gods. He ordered the creation and erection of new
monuments in reverence to Aton. Most sculptures had curving lines and full-bodied
forms. There is emphasis to life-like features of the face like an elongate jaw and thick-
lidded eyes. Most artists created artworks that are natural and seemingly real,
highlighting the features of their subjects. Naturalism was not only used to depict the
pharaoh but also was used for members of the royal family. The bust of Queen Nefertiti
has a long and sensuous neck and it enhanced by applying paint to the limestone.
When King Akhenaton died, his successors returned the conventional styles and
destroyed the images and figures of Aton

One of the greatest discoveries was the tomb of Tutankhamen. He became

king at a very young age and died at the age of 18. They were astonished to find gold
artworks and that the coffin was made out of solid gold. The body of the young king was
covered in linen and a gold mask covered his face.
 During the prehistoric art, the early humans had transitioned from a nomadic
lifestyle to that of a more permanent one, which led to early civilizations. Some of the
works discovered from this period would give modern society a glimpse of what was life
like during that period. One of the early civilizations where art flourished was the
Egyptians civilization. Throughout the 3 kingdoms all the way to the Amarna Revolution,
art has been directly used particularly in religious and spiritual activities. Through these
discovered artworks, the modern world could have a better understanding of the past
and how it can affect the present.

What was the importance and significance of art during the prehistoric
Task 1 period?

During the early Egyptian civilization, in what ways were art and
Task 2 religion interconnected?

Lets’s Make it Happen

Make a photo journal of three art pieces discovered during the Stone Age or
the Egyptian civilization that depict their beliefs and practice. Share your insights as to
how these pieces help people from the modern context understand the historical past.

For the next module, please read about Art of Emerging Europe
 Tick the box before the word which corresponds to your choice.

Self-Evaluation Module Evaluation

I learned a lot from this module Module is friendly, comprehensive and easy
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Caslib,B.N., Garing, D., and Casaul, J.A., (2018). Art Appreciation. Rex Book Store, Inc. pp 105-
114

GENEVIEVE L. CASULLA

Instructor