古埃及的美术
Ancient Egyptian art

西洋美术的进步与发达的状态，证之史实可分为三大时期：即古代美术、近代美术与现代美术。远在五千数百年前（B.C 3400），地中海东南岸的埃及，已经产生了压倒世界的伟大文化。埃及的美术，在古王朝时代已是非常发达了，由古王朝至中王朝及新王朝，一共持续了卅个世纪。因为有了这一段悠久的历史，与长远的优良传统，就造成后来希腊美术的黄金时代；以后传入罗马帝国，更形发达。于是汇合罗马、希腊与东风诸国的文化精华，就造成Byzantium(即君士坦丁堡)美术的光荣时代。因罗马的传统造成基督教的美术，至十五世纪又传入意大利，造成文艺复兴Renaissance的美术，因而移向近代美术。经过了可惊的堆积与展开，更登上现代美术的领域，闪出了灿烂无比的光华！埃及人在美术方面可称得上是先锋，尤其是对现代美术更有着重大的意义！

谈起埃及的文化与美术，我们就会想到尼罗河，若要研究古代美术，那么埃及的尼罗河流域就是太古美术的宝库了！

在开罗附近的奇塞Gizeh，是世界闻名的金字塔之所在地。金字塔是埃及古王及后妃的葬地，其中最著名的有三塔，这列成一行的三大金字塔，是埃及艺术最盛的第四王朝的王者之墓。三塔中最大的一塔要算是库佛王Khufu的一座，其高度为四八六呎，一边之长为七七五呎，占地约达十三英亩。于纪元前二千六百九十年开始建筑，每日动用奴隶十万人，经过三十年才完成，所用之石块达二百三十万块，每块平均重量约两吨半。为自古以来世界最高大的建筑，构造极精密，分寸不差。试想当时并没有起重机和曳引机，而能建筑怎么雄伟的墓塔，其技术与知识，真可凌驾于五千年后，科学发达的今天怎不使人惊叹不止呢？

第二塔名为柯佛勒Khafre，高为四五〇呎，其一边之长为七三〇呎。第三塔为卡乌拉，是纪元前二千五百年所建。其高只有二一五呎，为三塔中之最小者，但建筑较其他两塔为美。在这二三两塔旁，更有人面狮身的石像，它的前脚长五十呎，身长一百五十呎，高七十呎，是庞然大物，古埃及艺术的粗劲豪迈，已可由此表现无遗。

金字塔的石色，经过风吹日晒，已成红褐色，它的外形为一正三角形。因埃及为沙漠之区，为了避免热带沙漠吹来的风沙积压，所以聪明的埃及人就把陵墓建成尖锥形的金字塔！

如果渡过尼罗河向西而行，便可达到死者的世界——“王者之谷”Valey of Kings途中，有一对阿蒙诺菲斯Amenophisl三世的巨石像，高约八十呎。据说：每逢月白风清的夜里，这对石像还会交谈呢！在这绵延数十里的山谷中，埃及新王朝的诸王与后妃，就沉睡在万古的长梦中。

在一九二二年的秋天，英国考古队发现了多敦克亚蒙Tutank—Amen的墓门，于是研究者麕集，引起了埃及研究的最大兴趣，可说是二十世纪的大事件之一。

多敦克亚蒙是第十八王朝最后的一位王帝，在他的墓穴中，发掘了惊人的遗物，这些遗物分藏于意、英、及开罗等世界大博物院中。这不过表现出埃及文化艺术的一斑，但是，那极高调的生活表现，已足令后人惊叹！

由这墓穴中发掘出来的遗物，我们看出埃及人对美术的修养是很高的。尤其是那种富有艺术性的埃及墓穴壁画，完全侧重于有力线条的表现，绘画在埃及成为神话仪式，是属于一种传记性质的叙述故事，是连环图式的描绘。关于人物的表现：眼睛与肩膀是正面的，手足完全是对称的，脚是画成双L形，平贴在地平线上，造成一种平稳的感觉。他们绘画的目的，并不在于表现，完全是实用的。因为埃及人深信着死者的复活与永生，认为住宅如逆旅，坟墓才是久居的地方。他们建筑华丽宏伟的坟墓，制造木乃伊，就是深信灵魂万生不灭，象征长生不死的妄想。由此，他们的绘画就遵循着一个固定的法则，用华丽的色彩，轻快的心情，并杂以象形文字来描述死者生前的生活状况，及其死后的世界。壁画在埃及人看来，只是对死者的一种贡献物，是画画参杂的说明图，俾（裨）使死者的灵魂回归躯体的时候，不至忘记自己的身份！所以我们姑且勿论其宗教上的意味，但是那种独特的装饰意味，优雅愉悦而富有阿拉伯风的有劲线条，栩栩欲活而富有生气的造型刻划，都广泛地影响了现代的绘画！

The progress and development of Western art can be divided into three major periods: ancient art, modern art, and contemporary art. As early as 5,500 years ago (around 3400 BC), the ancient civilization of Egypt emerged on the southeastern coast of the Mediterranean Sea, exerting a profound influence on the world. Egyptian art was highly developed during the Old Kingdom period and continued to flourish through the Middle Kingdom and New Kingdom, spanning a total of thirty centuries. This long and rich history, along with enduring traditions, laid the foundation for the golden age of Greek art and later influenced the art of the Roman Empire. The cultural essence of Rome, Greece, and Eastern countries converged, giving rise to the glorious era of Byzantine art in Constantinople. The traditions of Rome also contributed to the development of Christian art, which later spread to Italy in the 15th century, leading to the Renaissance art movement and the transition to modern art. Through remarkable accumulation and expansion, modern art emerged, shining with unparalleled brilliance. Egyptians can be considered pioneers in the field of art, with significant implications for modern art.

When discussing Egyptian culture and art, one cannot overlook the Nile River, as the Nile Valley of Egypt is a treasure trove of ancient art.

Near Cairo in Giza lies the world-famous location of the pyramids. The pyramids served as the tombs for the ancient Egyptian kings and queens, with the most famous being the three pyramids lined up in a row, belonging to the rulers of the Fourth Dynasty, the zenith of Egyptian art. The largest of these is the pyramid of King Khufu, measuring 486 feet in height, with a base length of 755 feet, covering an area of approximately 13 acres. Construction began around 2690 BC and lasted for thirty years, employing up to 100,000 slaves daily. The pyramid was built using 2.3 million stone blocks, each weighing around 2.5 tons on average. It stands as the tallest structure in the world since ancient times, demonstrating incredibly precise construction techniques without the aid of modern machinery such as cranes and winches. The technical and intellectual achievements of the builders remain astonishing even by today's scientifically advanced standards.

The second pyramid, named Khafre, stands at 450 feet tall, with a base length of 730 feet. The third pyramid, known as Menkaure, was built around 2500 BC. It is the smallest of the three pyramids, measuring 215 feet in height, but it is considered the most aesthetically pleasing among them. Adjacent to these two pyramids are the colossal statues of the sphinx, with a front paw measuring 50 feet long, a body length of 150 feet, and a height of 70 feet, representing the majestic and bold essence of ancient Egyptian art.

The pyramids, weathered by wind and sun, have taken on a reddish-brown hue, with a triangular shape. As Egypt is situated in a desert region, the clever Egyptians built their tombs in the form of pointed pyramids to prevent the accumulation of sand blown by desert winds.

Crossing the Nile River to the west leads to the "Valley of the Kings," where lies the realm of the dead. Along the way, there are colossal statues of Amenhotep III, standing approximately 80 feet tall. It is said that on moonlit nights with clear skies, these statues seem to converse with each other. In this vast valley stretching for miles, the kings and queens of the New Kingdom of Egypt rest in eternal slumber.

In the autumn of 1922, a British archaeological team discovered the tomb entrance of Tutankhamen, sparking immense interest in Egyptology and becoming one of the major events of the 20th century.

Tutankhamun was the last pharaoh of the 18th dynasty, and the astonishing artifacts discovered in his tomb are now housed in major museums around the world, including Italy, England, and Cairo. These artifacts provide glimpses into Egyptian cultural and artistic practices, showcasing a lifestyle that continues to astound future generations.

The artifacts unearthed from this tomb reveal the high level of artistic refinement among the Egyptians. Particularly noteworthy are the artistic and narrative qualities of the Egyptian tomb wall paintings, which focus entirely on powerful lines and depict mythological rituals. These paintings serve as biographical narratives, presented in a series of interconnected scenes. In terms of depicting figures, the eyes and shoulders are portrayed frontally, with symmetrically rendered limbs, and the feet are depicted in a double-L shape, lying flat on the ground to create a sense of stability. The purpose of their paintings was purely practical, as the Egyptians believed in the resurrection and eternal life of the deceased, viewing their homes as temporary dwellings and tombs as permanent abodes. The elaborate construction of tombs and the creation of mummies were manifestations of their belief in the immortality of the soul, symbolizing the eternal afterlife. Consequently, their paintings followed a set of rules, utilizing vibrant colors, cheerful moods, and hieroglyphic symbols to depict the deceased's life and the world after death. To the Egyptians, tomb paintings were offerings to ensure that the soul of the deceased would not forget its identity upon returning to the body. Therefore, regardless of their religious implications, the unique decorative elements, elegant and lively Arabic-inspired lines, and vibrant depictions of form have profoundly influenced modern painting.