Classical Art
The art on this page was chosen because of the color symbols portrayed within the painting. Most "classic" art is Egyptian, Greek, or Roman. There were many different meanings for the colors portrayed by the ancients.
The Egyptians
In Egypt, color was a part of the substance of everything in life. Colors were clues to the disposition or associations of the subject. An Egyptian artist used six colors in addition to black and white, and all of these had symbolic meaning.
This panel was found in King Tutankhamen's tomb, which was discovered in the Valley of the Kings by Howard Carter in 1922. This panel shows the importance of color, especially color created from precious metals and stones. For example, the gold represents the sun rays of Aten, the representation of the supreme sun, and give the king and his wife energy and life.
Panel on The Golden Throne of Tutankhamen of Tutankhamen and Ankhesenaumun, 1352 B.C.
Found by Howard Carter
This panel was found in King Tutankhamen's tomb, which was discovered in the Valley of the Kings by Howard Carter in 1922. This panel shows the importance of color, especially color created from precious metals and stones. For example, the gold represents the sun rays of Aten, the representation of the supreme sun, and give the king and his wife energy and life.
Panel on The Golden Throne of Tutankhamen of Tutankhamen and Ankhesenaumun, 1352 B.C.
Found by Howard Carter
These bright colors depict a hunting scene. The bright colors depict the nature and wildlife. The blue grass is the papyrus reed, along with bright colorful birds and butterflies. Since this is a tomb panel, the people are depicted in their best clothing. The bright beautiful jewelry and cloth is created with bright shinning colors.
Hunting in the Marshes, Late 18th Dynasty, around 1350 B.C.
Hunting in the Marshes, Late 18th Dynasty, around 1350 B.C.
The Romans
The Roman frescoes are paint on plaster. They paint on plaster, because it give the paint a brighter vibrant look and preserves the paint. Red is a featured color in the frescoes, because the color red is the color of Rome. The red also symbolizes power, blood, and strength. The other colors like blue and orange show the variety of color and wealth of the cloth.
Pompeii Frescoes, circa 50 B.C.