Egyptian Revival

Egyptian Revival is an architectural and design style that originated in the Western world, particularly in Europe and North America, during the 18th and 19th centuries, inspired by the Ancient Egyptian culture and Napoleonic Wars. This style was popularized by Napoleon's Invasion of Egypt and the subsequent discovery of The Rosetta Stone by Pierre-François Bouchard and Jean-Baptiste Kléber. The style was further influenced by the works of Giovanni Battista Belzoni, Henry Salt, and Jean-François Champollion, who were instrumental in deciphering Egyptian hieroglyphs and promoting Egyptology. As a result, European architects such as Thomas Hope and Charles Barry began to incorporate Egyptian motifs into their designs, which were often showcased in World's fairs like the Great Exhibition of 1851 in London.

● Introduction

The Egyptian Revival style was characterized by the use of Egyptian obelisks, Sphinxes, and other Ancient Egyptian motifs in architecture and design, often in combination with Greek and Roman elements, as seen in the works of Leo von Klenze and Karl Friedrich Schinkel. This style was popularized by Architects such as Ithiel Town and Richard Upjohn, who designed buildings like the Washington Monument and the Trinity Church in New York City. The style was also influenced by the Orientalism movement, which was characterized by a fascination with Eastern cultures and Exoticism, as exemplified by the works of Eugène Delacroix and Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres. As a result, Artists such as John Martin and Francis Danby began to incorporate Egyptian themes into their paintings, which were often exhibited at the Royal Academy of Arts in London.

● History

The Egyptian Revival style has its roots in the Renaissance humanism and the Enlightenment, which sparked a renewed interest in Classical antiquity and Ancient cultures, including Ancient Egypt. The style gained popularity during the Napoleonic Wars, when Napoleon's Army of the Orient invaded Egypt and discovered numerous Ancient Egyptian artifacts, including the Great Pyramid of Giza and the Valley of the Kings. The subsequent publication of Vivant Denon's Voyage dans la Basse et la Haute Égypte and Description de l'Égypte further fueled the interest in Egyptian culture and Architecture, inspiring Architects such as Antoine-Chrysostome Quatremère de Quincy and Jean-Baptiste Rondelet. The style continued to evolve throughout the 19th century, with the establishment of Egyptology as a distinct field of study, led by Scholars such as Heinrich Brugsch and Emil Brugsch.

● Architecture

Egyptian Revival architecture is characterized by the use of Egyptian motifs such as Obelisks, Sphinxes, and Pylons, often in combination with Classical orders and Gothic Revival elements, as seen in the designs of Augustus Pugin and Charles Robert Cockerell. The style was popularized by Buildings such as the Temple of Dendur in New York City's Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Egyptian Hall in London's Piccadilly Circus. The style was also influenced by the Industrial Revolution, which made it possible to mass-produce Building materials and Decorative elements, such as Cast iron and Terracotta, as used in the construction of the Crystal Palace in London. As a result, Architects such as Joseph Paxton and Charles Holden began to design buildings that incorporated Egyptian Revival elements, such as the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.

● Art_and_Design

Egyptian Revival art and design is characterized by the use of Egyptian motifs such as Ankh symbols, Scarabs, and Lotus flowers, often in combination with Classical and Orientalist elements, as seen in the works of William Morris and Walter Crane. The style was popularized by Artists such as Lawrence Alma-Tadema and Frederic Leighton, who painted scenes of Ancient Egyptian life and Mythology, often exhibited at the Royal Academy of Arts in London. The style was also influenced by the Arts and Crafts movement, which emphasized the importance of Handicrafts and Decorative arts, as exemplified by the works of William Holman Hunt and Dante Gabriel Rossetti. As a result, Designers such as Christopher Dresser and Owen Jones began to create Furniture and Textiles that incorporated Egyptian Revival elements, such as the Egyptian-style Chairs and Sofas designed by Thomas Sheraton.

● Influence_and_Legacy

The Egyptian Revival style had a significant influence on the development of Modern architecture and Design, particularly in the United States and Europe. The style was popularized by Architects such as Frank Lloyd Wright and Louis Sullivan, who incorporated Egyptian Revival elements into their designs, such as the Guggenheim Museum in New York City. The style also influenced the development of Art Deco and Streamline Moderne, which incorporated Egyptian motifs and Geometric shapes into their designs, as seen in the works of Tamara de Lempicka and Jean Dupas. As a result, Designers such as Émile-Jacques Ruhlmann and Jean-Michel Frank began to create Furniture and Decorative arts that incorporated Egyptian Revival elements, such as the Egyptian-style Vases and Sculptures designed by René Lalique.

● Notable_Examples

Notable examples of Egyptian Revival architecture and design include the Cleopatra's Needle in London's Victoria Embankment, the Egyptian Building in Richmond, Virginia, and the Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut in Deir el-Bahri, Egypt. Other notable examples include the Temple of Dendur in New York City's Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Egyptian Hall in London's Piccadilly Circus, and the Sphinx of Giza in Giza, Egypt. The style has also been influential in the design of Cemeteries and Mausoleums, such as the Highgate Cemetery in London and the Père Lachaise Cemetery in Paris, which feature Egyptian Revival-style Monuments and Sculptures, designed by Architects such as Augustus Pugin and Charles Robert Cockerell. Category:Art movements