Hieroglyphs and Art
From the very beginning of Egyptian history, writing and art were
inseparable. Before 3000 B.C., in the same
time that scribes were finalizing the standards and signs of hieroglyphic writing, artists
were creating conventions for representation of figures and objects in sculpture,
painting, and relief. Consequently, most Egyptian works of art are actually larger forms
of the figures in hieroglyphs. For example, the figure of a seated man, which appears
frequently in sculpture and painting, is also the hieroglyphic ideogram for
"man." As much care was taken in drawing the hieroglyphs as in creating the
images in art. In the ancient Egyptian language the same word (sekh) is used for writing, drawing, and painting.
Stela of a Middle Kingdom Official
Hieroglyphs on sculpture and reliefs identified the figure. The hieroglyphic inscriptions
on this stela state that it was presented to Montuwoser (seated, receiving offerings) in
appreciation of Montuwoser's loyal services, which are described at great length. |
West wall from a chapel built by Sety I for his father, Ramesses I
Hieroglyphs accompanied wall reliefs explaining, with the images, what action was
taking place. Columns of hieroglyphs above the figures identify each and contain
prayers and praises Sety and Ramesses address to the gods. The offerings being
presented are also listed. |
Pectoral of Princess Sithathoryunet
The figures on this royal pectoral made of semiprecious stones and gold are hieroglyphs
that can be read as a text saying, "The god of the rising sun (Horus as a falcon with
the sun disk) grants life (the ankh) and dominion (the circle held by the falcons in one
of their talons) to the king (whose name is in the cartouche) for one million (Heh, the
god of eternity, who appears in a kneeling pose, is the hieroglyph for "one
million") years (the palm fronds held by Heh)." The tadpole (the hieroglyph
for "one hundred thousand") dangling from Heh's right elbow reinforces the
message that the king will have power forever.
Haremhab as a scribe
To write well, scribes had to learn some seven hundred hieroglyphs and be able to write
them clearly. As a badge of office, Haremhab has a strap slung over his shoulder from
which hang two miniature writing kits, one on his chest, the other on the back of the
shoulder. They are the hieroglyphs for the word scribe.
