How does a drawing reflect the Egyptian canon?
The Egyptian canon refers to the artistic style and proportions used by the ancient Egyptians in their representations of the human body. It was a standardized set of rules and conventions that governed the appearance of figures in Egyptian art.
When a drawing reflects the Egyptian canon, it means that the artist has followed these rules and conventions in their depiction of human figures. Some key features of the Egyptian canon include:
1. Profile view: Figures are typically portrayed in a strict profile view, where the head, shoulders, and hips are seen from the side, while the eye, shoulders, and feet are seen from the front.
2. Linear perspective: Egyptian art employed a concept of twisted perspective, where the most recognizable and informative parts of the body were portrayed in a standard way, regardless of the angle of the figure. For example, the eye and shoulders are typically depicted from the front view, even though the rest of the body is in profile.
3. Hierarchical scale: The size of figures in Egyptian art represents their social status or importance. Pharaohs and deities were portrayed as the largest figures, followed by priests, officials, and common people. The higher the social status, the larger the figure.
4. Idealized proportions: The Egyptian canon emphasized idealized proportions for the human body. For instance, the head was one-sixth the height of the body, the arms and legs were two-thirds the length of the body, and so on. These proportions aimed to depict an idealized and balanced form.
5. Symbolic elements: Egyptian art often included symbolic elements and poses. For example, figures were frequently shown with left foot forward, both arms hanging down, and hands facing outward. Additionally, some body parts, like the arms, were portrayed at impossible angles to emphasize their importance.
Therefore, when a drawing reflects the Egyptian canon, it adheres to these specific rules and conventions, capturing the characteristic style and proportions seen in ancient Egyptian art.