Recordings will be made available for those unable to attend the live sessions!
Ancient Egypt was home to one of the most recognisable and enduring artistic traditions in world history. The products of this tradition include masterpieces of painting, sculpture, and architecture that have inspired audiences across the millennia to the present day. Yet despite how familiar it may seem, many of us may have questions about ancient Egyptian art and architecture: what does it mean? How was it produced? How did it evolve over time?
In this course, you will explore these questions by examining some of the fundamental concepts, methods, and forms of Egyptian art and architecture, from wall paintings to sculpture and from monumental buildings to portable luxury items. The material covers periods from before the founding of the Egyptian state (c. 4000 BCE onwards) all the way through to the early centuries of the Common Era, relating to sites across Egypt and Sudan and to museum collections around the world. By the end of the course, you will have a deeper understanding of the meanings and history of ancient Egyptian art, enhancing your appreciation of what you might encounter in books, museums, or if you visit Egypt yourself.
Tombs scene depicting fishing and fowling from the tomb of Nebamun in Thebes, (British Museum EA 37977).
The course is open to everyone, whether they are complete beginners in learning about ancient Egypt or already have some knowledge in the area. You will be provided with a summary of Egyptian chronology; we will go through this in the first class, though you may find it helpful to refer to the summary throughout the course if you are not familiar with the broad picture of ancient Egyptian history.
Tutor
Dr Edward Scrivens
Course Outline
Please note that main content will be delivered between 18:00-19:30, though some optional participation (quizzes, Q&A, etc.) may continue beyond that time.
Thursday 9 October 2025, 18:00-19:30 (UK time)
Week One - Fundamentals of ancient Egyptian Art
How can we define art in ancient Egypt? Are some commentators right to characterise Egyptian art as rigid and unchanging? In this first week you will consider these questions and encounter some key principles that shape Egyptian art and architecture.
Left: The Step Pyramid complex of Djoser at Saqqara. Middle: The ‘Berlin Green Head’ (Neues Museum ÄM 12500). Right: Wall relief in the temple of Seti I at Abydos
Thursday 16 October 2025, 18:00-19:30 (UK time)
Week Two - Painting and relief
This session examines some of the key developments, contexts, and examples of two-dimensional art in ancient Egypt. You will learn about different techniques for carving images and texts on flat surfaces (relief) as well as the uses and development of painted decoration, from scenes on coffins to entire tombs.
Thursday 23 October 2025, 18:00-19:30 (UK time)
Week Three - Sculpture
Egyptian sculpture has captivated visitors to Egypt’s ancient sites and to museums across the world. In this class you will learn about the contexts, function, and development of some key sculptural types.
Thursday 30 October 2025, 18:00-19:30 (UK time)
Week Four - Monumental architecture
The buildings of ancient Egypt are often counted among the wonders of the world. This week will examine the development and symbolism of some of the most important forms of monumental architecture: royal tombs (including pyramids), non-royal tombs, and temples.
Thursday 6 November 2025, 18:00-19:30 (UK time)
Week Five - Portable and decorative arts
Not all Egyptian art was carved or painted onto stone. Aesthetics made their way into many aspects of life, with some luxury or decorative objects being used in everyday life or made from non-elite materials. This final session will examine portable art objects, some of which were used in everyday life while others were intended for the next world.
Monumental architecture from the Hypostyle Hall at the Temple of Karnak.
Booking and information
Register for your place in advance using the link below. Here, you can select to pay for optional add-ons. You can buy a personalised certificate for £5.99, featuring your name, the event name and start date, which will be signed by the EES Engagement Manager to confirm your attendance at this online course.
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about your booking. If you do not receive your email, then please check your junk folders before contacting the Egypt Exploration Society. The course will be held on our Zoom platform and attendees will be able to interact by asking questions, using the chat and polls. It is not necessary to have a working webcam or microphone for this course. The online course will be complemented by Google Drive, where resources will be uploaded.
Recordings will be made available for those unable to attend the live sessions! These recordings will be available via a YouTube playlist for approximately one month after the final class.
Please ensure that you have read our guide to attending EES events before the course begins.
