Category:  Art

From the publisher: The book explores the art of the ancient Egyptians.

Note from Francesca : A companion to an exhibition taking place at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, this book presents colored panel and shroud portraits of Roman Egypt. Contributors, including R. Bagnall, M. Bierbrier, K. Gschwantler, J. Taylor and S. Walker, give a concise acccount of mummy portraits and their discovery, as well as the Fayum and its people. Extensively illustrated in color, this is a useful book covering a little-known subject. An excellent reference for everyone.

Reviewed by Francesca: The first part of this album on ancient Egyptian art presents the author and his passion for Egyptology. The second part consists of plates, representing drawings and outlines of pillars, vases, portraits, columns, niches, plans, and patterns among many others. This is a good reference to the art and architecture of ancient Egypt.

Note de Francesca: Accompanying an exhibition of Old Kingdom art, this book offers numerous essays on royal pyramid complexes, non-royal tombs, statuary and Old Kingdom history. Contributors include James P. Allen, Susan Allen, Dieter Arnold, Dorothea Arnold, Nicolas Grimal, Zahi Hawass, Jean-Philippe Lauer, Catherine Roehrig and Christiane Ziegler. More than 200 entries of the exhibition's works of art are featured, along with 650 photographs, of which 500 are in color. The chronology, the bibliography and the indexes are very useful. This is a beautiful jewel for everyone to own and a must for those curious about the Age of the Pyramids.

From AEB: Of the ancient art that has survived from the non-Classical world, that of Egypt makes a unique appeal. In this authoritative and splendidly illustrated guide Cyril Aldred surveys nearly 3000 years of Egyptian art and architecture, concentrating on the fine arts of painting and sculpture.

Reviewed by Francesca: Pottery is an ancient craft: the Ancient Egyptians produced numerous objects with clay. This book describes the manufacture and implementation of pottery vessels from Predynastic times to the Ptolemaic era. Designs, motifs and various models of vessels are discussed. Tomb reliefs and inscriptions are a reference to the techniques employed in the production of pottery. The role of Ancient Egyptian pottery in Egyptology today is examined in detail. A well-illustrated, useful book recommenced to students and scholars.

Reviewed by Francesca: Egyptian sculpture makes a fascinating study of Ancient Egyptian art. It evolves over the years, thus letting interested individuals know about the various styles as they came to life. The author, an expert on Ancient Egyptian art, examines herein materials and techniques the Ancient Egyptian sculptors used over the numerous dynasties. She discusses the function of statues and the 'ideal image.' She also looks at the influence of Ancient Egypt on Greek sculpture. A short, well-illustrated, extremely useful book, recommended to every student.