Ancient Egyptian Art

By Jonathan Lopez Francisco
  • Period: 5000 BCE to 3150 BCE

    Pre-Dynastic

    Artists produced early figurines, carved palettes, and decorated ceramics that show the development of social structures and religious beliefs.
  • 4400 BCE

    Citation for Pre-Dynastic Egypt

    “figure.” britishmuseum.org, The British Museum., https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/Y_EA59648#object-detail-data. Accessed September 28 2025.
  • 4400 BCE

    Badarian Culture, Egypt Female Figurine c. 5000 BCE Hippo Ivory Grave Good

    This amazing figure, one of the earliest known human-shaped statuettes from Egypt, was discovered in a grave in Badari that was dug up in the 1920s. Despite their disproportionate size, the head, nose, and eyes have been skilfully crafted, much like the rest of the figure.The figurine's purpose is unclear. The figure's strong feminine characteristics could indicate that it was meant to symbolize a fertility deity or even to symbolize fertility and rebirth, but it could also be a servant figure.
  • 2686 BCE

    Ka Statue of King Djoser, 2686-2648 BCE Painted limestone 60” x 18” x 37 ½” The Egyptian Museum, Cairo

    This statue was discovered northeast of King Djoser's funeral complex at Saqqara in a secluded room known as Serdab. The Djoser statue is thought to be the oldest known life-size Egyptian statue. Sitting on his throne and wearing a coat. The statue was completely painted and covered in white plaster. At one time, the deep-set eyes were inlaid. The king wears a black wig with the royal nemesis headdress on top, and he has a ceremonial fake beard.
  • Period: 2686 BCE to 2181 BCE

    Old Kingdom

    Art became standardized by the elite and figures were produced consistently to reflect the tastes of the capital at Memphis. The Pyramids and statuary of pharaohs, which some stillremain intact today, are the greatest works of art from the Old Kingdom; however, smaller structures were made with similar beauty and accuracy.
  • 2613 BCE

    Citation for Old Kingdom

    “Statue of King Djoser.” Egypt Museum, https://egypt-museum.com/statue-of-king-djoser/. Accessed September 25 2025.
  • Period: 2040 BCE to 1782 BCE

    Middle Kingdom

    artistic expression began to change to expand beyond its traditional role of glorifying kings and god. Scenes of everyday life, such as family members walking along villages, or fishermen in streams, started being utilized in sculpture and painting. Sculptors became more detailed and realistic methods to depict personal expression, artistic realism also evolved.
  • 1874 BCE

    Citation for Middle Kingdom

    Cite this page as: The British Museum, "Statues of Senusret III," in Smarthistory, May 25, 2021, accessed September 25, 2025, https://smarthistory.org/statues-of-senusret-iii/.
  • 1874 BCE

    Statue of Senwosret III (Senusret III), 1874–1855 B.C.E., 12th Dynasty, ancient Egypt, incised granite (granodiorite), found at the Temple of Mentuhotep, South Sourt, Deir el-Bahari, 122 cm high (© Trustees of the British Museum)

    The earliest instances of this devotional pose are the statues, which depict Senwosret standing with his hands flat on the front of his kilt in the attitude of prayer. The king's face is portrayed with with expressive furrows and lines, in contrast to his young, muscular physique. His big ears can represent the ruler's open to hearing. This reign is characterized by a new form of representation that is very distinct from the romanticized depictions of monarchy in previous eras.