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Seeing Perfection

Ancient Egyptian Images beyond Representation

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  19 October 2020

Rune Nyord
Affiliation:
Emory University, Atlanta

Summary

This Element offers a new approach to ancient Egyptian images informed by interdisciplinary work in archaeology, anthropology, and art history. Sidestepping traditional perspectives on Egyptian art, the Element focuses squarely on the ontological status of the image in ancient thought and experience. To accomplish this, section 2 takes up a number of central Egyptian terms for images, showing that a close examination of their etymology and usage can help resolve long-standing question on Egyptian imaging practices. Section 3 discusses ancient Egyptian experiences of materials and manufacturing processes, while section 4 categorizes and discusses the different purposes and functions for which images were created. The Element as a whole thus offers a concise introduction to ancient Egyptian imaging practices for an interdisciplinary readership, while at the same introducing new ways of thinking about familiar material for the Egyptological reader.
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Seeing Perfection
  • Rune Nyord, Emory University, Atlanta
  • Online ISBN: 9781108881494
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Seeing Perfection
  • Rune Nyord, Emory University, Atlanta
  • Online ISBN: 9781108881494
Available formats
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To save content items to your account, please confirm that you agree to abide by our usage policies. If this is the first time you use this feature, you will be asked to authorise Cambridge Core to connect with your account. Find out more about saving content to Google Drive.

Seeing Perfection
  • Rune Nyord, Emory University, Atlanta
  • Online ISBN: 9781108881494
Available formats
×