8.1 Beyond the stereotype
Most of these characteristic features of Egyptian two-dimensional art can be found in the Nebamun wall-paintings (Figure 28). However, the Nebamun paintings also include several other features that do not conform so readily to our stereotypes of Egyptian art.
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Figure 28 Details of the Nebamun wall paintings (EA 37977, EA 37986)
Activity 3 Beyond the stereotype
Study these figures. Can you find three or four examples of features that are not stereotypically Egyptian?
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Detail of the Hunting in the Marshes scene (EA 37977)
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Detail of the banquet scene (EA 37981)
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Detail of the agricultural scene (EA 37982)
© Trustees of the British Museum
Detail of the banquet scene (EA 37984)
Answer
You may have spotted these features:
- painterly brushwork to capture the effect of texture
- a careful variation of details, e.g .of gesture and the positioning of accessories, to avoid visual monotony
- the sideways view of the old farmer’s shoulders
- perhaps most striking of all, the presence of two full-face representations among the musicians, and the accompanying effect of movement in their hair.