Reading Egyptian Art: A Hieroglyphic Guide to Ancient Egyptian Painting and Sculpture [Paperback]

Richard H. Wilkinson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1994 | ISBN-10: 0500277516 | ISBN-13: 978-0500277515

The legacy of Egyptian art, from colossal statues to finely wrought jewellery and minuscule charms, can appear deceptively simple. Without knowledge of the hieroglyphic images incorporated in the art, much remains obscure. Here is an introduction to the symbolic language of hieroglyphs: a directory of the one hundred signs used most often in Egyptian painting and sculpture - from "seated man" and "lion" to "vulture" and "ankh". This guide offers a comprehensive explanation of the symbols, their origins, identification and uses. The hieroglyphs are arranged thematically, fully cross-referenced, and illustrated by newly-commissioned drawings and photographs. The result is a companion for all those interested in the mysteries of ancient Egyptian art.

Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Thames & Hudson (May 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0500277516
• ISBN-13: 978-0500277515
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 7.1 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #72,466 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #9 in Books > Arts & Photography > Schools, Periods & Styles > Ancient & Classical

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

41 of 42 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Top-notch!, January 19, 2003

By 

Richard A. Weaver (lawrenceville, GA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Reading Egyptian Art: A Hieroglyphic Guide to Ancient Egyptian Painting and Sculpture (Paperback)

What a wonderful book!

The author takes 100 of the hieroglyphs used in writing Egyptian, and used in Egyptian art. (Symbols are identified by the Gardiner code number.) He dedicates 2 pages to each symbol - the right-hand page gives an analysis of the meaning and uses of the symbol, and the left-hand page, through line drawings and photographs, illustrates how the symbol is used.

Whether you study it page by page, or just dip in and browse, this book can be used, with profit, by anyone interested in the language or art of ancient Egypt.

24 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Intriguing study, December 12, 2000

By 

Katherine Mann (Owen Sound, Ontario, Canada) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Reading Egyptian Art: A Hieroglyphic Guide to Ancient Egyptian Painting and Sculpture (Paperback)

Art language, the signs by which we interpret the meaning of art, is a specialized study. I would recommend this book to anyone who would like to approach Egyptian art on a deeper level than a simple visual feast. Prof. Wilkinson has explained many of the common themes used by ancient Egyptian artists in simple terms, so that anyone who cares to read will be able to understand and appreciate the work in depth. I have found this book invaluable. The book is richly illustrated and the line drawings by Troy Sagillo are exquisite. Wilkinson has opened a path for me that I knew was there, but could not find.

19 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant for Egyptology Students.., January 12, 2000

By 

MISS SARAH CONNOR (Australia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Reading Egyptian Art: A Hieroglyphic Guide to Ancient Egyptian Painting and Sculpture (Paperback)

Very well layed out,informative,excellent reference, yet easy to understand, assists with the learning of translation of some of the more common Hieroglyphics, especialy with tombs, ushabtis and other artefacts. "Gardiner's Sign List" was very well presented.