Summer School: What Makes Egyptian Art Recognisable as Such?

Instructor: Professor Paola Buzi

This summer school introduces Egyptian art with a special focus on paintings and sculptures. Yet, it is not your usual course in art history; rather, it trains its students to develop a deeper understanding of the considerable sophistication of pharaonic artefacts, some of which are considered to be universal masterpieces.   

Starting from the question ‘What makes Egyptian art recognisable as such?’, the attendees will be directly involved and trained in the observation and interpretation of images, symbols, rules, and stylistic conventions that regulated the creation of pharaonic artistic products.

Is Egyptian art realistic? Does it have a decorative purpose? Why do Egyptian statues look ‘emotionless’? Is there an evolution in their style and iconography or do they remain faithful to a ‘canon’ throughout the entire Egyptian history? These are only some of many questions that the course will try to answer. The summer school involves traditional lessons, independent reading, and audio-visual materials.

Form of assessment: after the completion of the course, the attendees will have two weeks to prepare a written description (similar to a catalogue description) of an Egyptian artefact.

No prerequisites are needed to attend the course. All reading material will be provided in digital form at the beginning of the course.

Click here to register.