The Art and Architecture of Ancient Egypt

by W. Stevenson Smith

A wealth of art and architectural treasures survive from Ancient Egypt―a civilization that endured from the fourth millennium B.C. to the conquest of Alexander the Great. In this book, Ancient Egyptian monuments, their decorations, and many other works of art are reproduced in more than four hundred beautiful illustrations.

The Ancient Egyptians in their tombs attempted to recreate life for the dead in a naturalistic way, often against the background of the landscape in which they lived. This book shows the tombs at Thebes, including the treasure-filled burial place of Tutankhamen, the temples of Luxor and Karnak, and the palaces of Akhenaten at Tell el Amarna and of Amenhotep III at Thebes. It also presents many revealing portraits depicting a range of subjects from the kings and queens who built the pyramids at Giza and Saqqara to their own civil servants.

Genres: History, Art, Egypt, Egyptology, Nonfiction, Ancient History, Research

310 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1981

Reviews

[James F · Rating 3 out of 5]

A volume in the Pelican History of Art; first published in 1958, this has long been the standard history of Egyptian art in English. It was revised in 1998, but the text gives the impression of a very old book; the illustrations are almost all in black and white. It is extremely detailed, particularly for the earlier periods; the treatment of the post-New Kingdom material is somewhat sketchy.

[Illiterate · Rating 4 out of 5]

A well-illustrated, chronological survey.

[Diana Wilder · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent sourcebook

This is a sourcebook, set out in chronological order, with a focus on art and architecture, that conveys a huge amount of information in a readable and even enjoyable fashion. For one writing on the period, the information here is invaluable, and mine is a keeper.

There is a brief discussion of a drawing (found, I think, in a tomb) that seems to show a winged being descending. The image is fragmentary, but the reconstruction is well done and the discussion of what the image seems to show is excellently handled.

As I've said (rather ironically) with the other sourcebooks in my research shelves, this is not a page-turner. Not all books should be. This is a book where the reader sits with a pencil and paper (or, perhaps, a laptop), frowns at a page, says 'Hmmmmm...' and takes notes.

I recommend it very highly for research purposes.

[Mikey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not for the casual reader. This is highly detailed and exhaustive. Compared to other older works on ancient art I did appreciate that Smith had an unusually approachable writing style although each illustration was described in wearisome, interminable detail which seems to be the hallmark of books on the subject in this genre. Also, each illustration was in black-and-white which was unfortunate and added to the dated feel. If you're looking for something serious as a reference I'm sure this would be a good pick although it might be better to keep more up to date. If you're a layperson and want to learn about the art and architecture of Ancient Egypt you would be served much better by finding something else. However, the polish and sophistication that went into this are undeniable and must be appreciated.

[blythe · Rating 3 out of 5]

so. many. words