Pamela Wood

Publication Date

1980

Document Type

Dissertation/Thesis

First Advisor

Liakos, Avra S.

Degree Name

M.A. (Master of Arts)

Legacy Department

Department of Art

LCSH

Temples--Egypt; Tombs--Egypt

Abstract

The Eighteenth Dynasty was a flourishing period in the history of the New Kingdom In Ancient Egypt. During that time the country's boundaries were greatly expanded, while the riches of an empire poured Into the state. In the early part of this period, in approximately 1490 B.C., the mortuary temple of Hatshepsut was built In Western Thebes in Upper Egypt. The temple is the only example of a royal funerary temple to remain in a good state of repair from this period of the Eighteenth Dynasty. Hatshepsut's temple was built in an extremely Innovative but elegant architectural style, against and Into the high cliffs that rose behind It. Beginning with her reign the Independent evolution of the royal funerary temple can be followed. New directions In sculpture and relief carving, including a trend toward naturalism, appeared in the temple. These new directions led Into what ts known by scholars as the golden age of Egyptian art In the New Kingdom. Hatshepsut herself is an enigmatic figure. A brief discussion of a few conjectures that can be made about her is given in the Introduction. Chapter II Is concerned with royal mortuary temples before Hatshepsut. The development of the mortuary temple is followed from the Old Kingdom through the Middle Kingdom and Into the New Kingdom. The third chapter considers the temple of Hatshepsut from an architectural and historical aspect. Included with the architecture are the many beautiful stone sculptures and relief carvings. The architect of Hatshepsut's amazing temple Is generally considered to be a high court official by the name of Senmut. His connection with the Queen Is considered briefly in Chapter III. This ts followed In Chapter IV by a short account of the major trends in royal funerary temple design after Hatshepsut. The Innovative and elegant architectural design of Hatshepsut's temple was not copied by later pharaohs. This fact and its incredibly good state of preservation contribute to its uniqueness and Importance in the history of Egyptian art.

Comments

Includes bibliographical references.||Includes illustrations and maps.

Extent

vii, 96 pages

Language

eng

Publisher

Northern Illinois University

Rights Statement

In Copyright

Rights Statement 2

NIU theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from Huskie Commons for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without the written permission of the authors.

Media Type

Text

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