Egyptian and Minoan Painting

Introduction: The styles of Minoan painting versus Egyptian painting can be compared through the techniques and materials used, as well as the subjects portrayed.

Techniques used

Egyptian techniques

Style of paintings

Reason for paintings (religious, storytelling, etc.)

Planning of murals

Cultural influence

Minoan techniques

Style of paintings

Reason for paintings

Cultural influence

Materials

Egyptian materials

"Canvas" used

Colors used

Brushes

How pigments were made

Minoan materials

"Canvas" used

Colors often used

How pigments were made

Subjects

Egyptian subjects

People

Nature

Events

Minoan subjects

People

Nature

Events

Conclusion

Demarest 3

The Egyptians are commonly known for their artistic contribution to history. Along with the popular great pyramids, the Egyptians also thrived in the world of pictorial art. Painting can be seen throughout their existence and would in turn influence the paintings of future civilizations. One of those civilizations was that of the Minoans. The similarities and differences in the works of these two civilizations can be easily viewed. The styles of Minoan painting versus Egyptian painting can be compared through the techniques and materials used, as well as the subjects portrayed.

The techniques of artwork in different civilizations can be described as the way in which the task is completed. In other words, how the painter went about creating their painting. The idea of technique, varies from the style in which the painter used to the reason for painting the picture. What where the pictures used for? What influenced the painters of that time? All of these ideas lie in the technique used during the time of a paintings creation.

Egyptian painting techniques can be described as those of precision and perfection. Typical Egyptian paintings had a style that was highly focused on detail. While painting the world around them, Egyptian artist would pay close attention to every element involved in their subjects (White 101). They also created their paintings in a way that each part of the picture would make sense to the viewer. People were portrayed in a stance that best excentuated each part of the body, including the legs, torso, and face. This made it easy for a person to determine where each part of the subject was. Also, it is commonly seen that a man in a Egyptian painting is much larger then the amn standing next to him. This concept is based off of the social concepts. The large man would represent a Pharaoh who was much more important, therefore painted much larger then the servant or person below him. These styles were used to assist the viewer in determining every aspect of the subjects in the painting (White 102).

Most Egyptian paintings can be found on walls. The most common places for these wall paintings are grave sites, inside peoples homes and even on the walls of religious monuments or dwellings. It appears that many Egyptian paintings existed to portray the life of the people within their civilization. The Egyptian painters were trying to record history. Some of their early paintings consist of inanimate objects, such as hunting equipment, which would exist to