Eternal Egypt : Introduction to Egyptian Art

Art and Hieroglyphics

As is evidenced by hieroglyphic “picture-writing,” words and images were closely interwoven in Egyptian culture. The specific poses and features of statues often allowed them to be read as if they were three-dimensional hieroglyphs.

But the writing inscribed on artworks served an even more specific purpose. The word, properly used, was an animating force to the Egyptians. According to one of their creation myths, the god Ptah created the world with a single utterance.

In a human version of that act, statues and drawings were inscribed and underwent a magic ceremony, called “Opening of the Mouth,” to bring them to life and enable them to perform their functions.

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