Egyptian Wall Painting (Hardcover)

~ (Author), Sandro Vannini (Illustrator)

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Egyptian Wall Painting by Francesco Tiradritti must surely be the definitive study on an aspect of Egyptian art that receives much less attention than the pyramids and monumental sculpture. All aspects are covered--history, technique, even language. We learn that the Egyptians had only about four words for specific colors--a narrow range belied by the richness of the entrancing creations on display here." --Wall Street Journal, December 12, 2008

Product Description

Ancient Egyptian civilization developed its own highly individual manner of expressing visible and invisible worlds--earth and the domain of the gods--through distinctive "languages." These languages included both two-dimensional portrayals (paintings and painted reliefs) and three-dimensional figures--forms that each must be skillfully deciphered in order to grasp its overt and covert meanings.

Egyptian Wall Painting focuses on two-dimensional depictions in ancient Egypt, examining them as part of an elaborate code that was designed to maintain the Maat--or Cosmic Order, Truth-Justice, and Universal Harmony--and that figured intimately in Egyptian lives and beliefs. The text conducts this examination through two different lenses: that of Western rational analysis, with its emphasis on methods and techniques, and that of ancient Egyptian spirituality, which these complex works have handed down to our own time. Accordingly, the first section of the book analyzes the technology, techniques, history, and cultural context of Egyptian art, while the second compares selected monumental works across different periods and places, detailing their artistic and spiritual significance.

Handsomely illustrated with 350 color plates, including numerous full-page details printed on a special matte paper designed to simulate the feel of the stuccoed limestone on which the original images were painted, Egyptian Wall Painting illuminates an art, language, and culture of extraordinary richness.

The volume is also available in a slipcased version for those seeking an especially luxurious presentation for home or library. As the definitive treatment of its subject, Egyptian Wall Painting is sure to appeal to art historians, Egyptologists, linguists, and connoisseurs interested in one of history's most complex and influential civilizations.

Approximately 350 full-color illustrations

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 391 pages
• Publisher: Abbeville Press (October 7, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0789210053
• ISBN-13: 978-0789210050
• Product Dimensions: 13.2 x 10.9 x 1.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.9 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #324,173 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Almost As Good as an Egyptian Tomb Tour, December 26, 2008

By	Sacramento Book Review "SacramentoBookReview.com" (Sacramento, CA) - See all my reviews

Every so often, along comes a book that is stunning enough in its scope and production to leave the reader in awe. Egyptian Wall Painting is one such book. As Tiradritti (noted Egyptologist and researcher) explains, the two-dimensional paintings in Egyptian civilization were a form of language--a code to help maintain the cosmic order in the Egyptian world view. He breaks down the history and context of Egyptian wall art and explains the methods of creation, the techniques, and technology used by the early artists. The second half of the book compares and contrasts different pieces from across the span of Egyptian history, providing the history and significance of each.

There are a multitude of color plates, many spanning across both pages. Abbeville Press used a matte paper for those inserted plates, giving the art not only a less shiny surface, but changing the feel of the pages, creating an almost stucco feel that helps in the reproduction of the art. While the subject matter may be highly specialized, the book is written for a lay audience, well-explained, and not overly technical. For any reader interested in Egyptian art, history, or culture, this beautiful and educational book will be a highlight in their collection. Well done!

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Highly recommended for both archaeological and art book collections, January 9, 2009

By	Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

Egyptologist and museum exhibition creator Francesco Tiradritti presents Egyptian Wall Painting, an informative coffee-table compendium discussing two-dimensional art in ancient Egypt, particularly their role in a complex code designed to maintain "Maat" (interpreted as Cosmic Order, Truth-Justice, or Universal Harmony). Stunningly illustrated with full-color photography throughout of priceless Egyptian relics and artworks, Egyptian Wall Painting is exhaustively detailed and comprehensive in its minute analysis of everything history and archaeology have to say about the creation, materials, history, and societal role of these breathtaking ancient works. A scholarly account that is nonetheless accessible to lay readers, "Egyptian Wall Painting" is highly recommended for both archaeological and art book collections, and an absolute "must-have" for every Egypt-ophile!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Egyptian Wall Painting, April 25, 2009

By	Ray G. Mcafee - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

"Egyptian Wall Painting" is absolutely one of the most beautiful books on this and related subjects I have ever seen! I am thrilled with my copy. Thank you for offering an opportunity to purchase such a wounderful book. Ray G McAfee