ANCIENT EGYPT
WHAT IS FRONTALISM?
A commonly used feature within ancient Eygptian art was frontalism. Frontalism is an artistic representation of the human form in an out of proportion perspective. This includes:
- The head, which is tilted to either left or right only depicting the face from the side
- The chest and waist, which is presented facing towards the viewer
- The arm and legs, which were painted facing outwards
- The fingers, which were always shown as the same length
A commonly used feature within ancient Eygptian art was frontalism. Frontalism is an artistic representation of the human form in an out of proportion perspective. This includes:
- The head, which is tilted to either left or right only depicting the face from the side
- The chest and waist, which is presented facing towards the viewer
- The arm and legs, which were painted facing outwards
- The fingers, which were always shown as the same length
WHY WAS FRONTALISM USED IN ANCIENT EGYPTIAN ART?
The above features suggest the Egyptians had not yet completely grasped the concept of the human form and could not portray is as it were. Egyptians used frontalism as they believed it was the best way to depict the human form. It would show the figure in a simple way even though the figure would become out of proportion. Ancient Egyptians had a strong connection to the Gods and the features within frontalism as well as their understanding of art showed the relationship between them and the Gods.
The above features suggest the Egyptians had not yet completely grasped the concept of the human form and could not portray is as it were. Egyptians used frontalism as they believed it was the best way to depict the human form. It would show the figure in a simple way even though the figure would become out of proportion. Ancient Egyptians had a strong connection to the Gods and the features within frontalism as well as their understanding of art showed the relationship between them and the Gods.
3 EXAMPLES OF EGYPTIAN ART ANNOTATED
ARTWORK 1: Relief of Nebhepetre Mentuhotep II (detail), Middle Kingdom, Dynasty 11, ca. 2051–2000 B.C.
Egyptian
Painted limestone
· Frontalism clearly evident through the presentation of the head.
· The figure within the artwork is displayed similar to the Gods
· The figure is the stand out image due to the contrast of colours within the work
· Broad shoulders and small waist suggest the possibility of the Gods and important figures in society having a ‘perfect form’
Egyptian
Painted limestone
· Frontalism clearly evident through the presentation of the head.
· The figure within the artwork is displayed similar to the Gods
· The figure is the stand out image due to the contrast of colours within the work
· Broad shoulders and small waist suggest the possibility of the Gods and important figures in society having a ‘perfect form’
ARTWORK 2: Section from the "Book of the Dead" of Nany, Third Intermediate Period, Dynasty 21, reigns of Psensennes I–II, ca. 1040–945 B.C.
Egyptian; Western Thebes
Painted and inscribed papyrus
· Features of frontalism shown repeated through the work, all figures are shown with the head tilted, body facing forward
· The figures within the work represent important people within society as well as the Gods, the level or size of the figures are all equal
Egyptian; Western Thebes
Painted and inscribed papyrus
· Features of frontalism shown repeated through the work, all figures are shown with the head tilted, body facing forward
· The figures within the work represent important people within society as well as the Gods, the level or size of the figures are all equal
ARTWORK 3: Facsimile of tomb painting of Ramesses III, New Kingdom, Dynasty 20, reign of Ramesses III, ca. 1184–1153 B.C.
Egyptian
Of the 3 artwork this one is a perfect example of frontalism and the presentation of it within Ancient Egyptian work
· The head, posture, arms and legs and the fingers based on the relationship to frontalism are clearly shown within the entire work
· The smaller figure to the right can be interpreted as a servant or lower class citizen due to the comparison in size
Egyptian
Of the 3 artwork this one is a perfect example of frontalism and the presentation of it within Ancient Egyptian work
· The head, posture, arms and legs and the fingers based on the relationship to frontalism are clearly shown within the entire work
· The smaller figure to the right can be interpreted as a servant or lower class citizen due to the comparison in size