Ancient Near Eastern art is easily distinguishable and recognizable because of its consistent use of various techniques including the hieratic scale, composite view, static visuals, frontality, and overall stylized effects. These elements serve practical and symbolic functions, allowing the artists to tell stories about the subjects they depict. Moreover, these characteristics enabled the anonymous artists to consistently reproduce the work of their predecessors to convey a consistent visual style that persisted throughout time.
Hieratic Scale
A hieratic scale allows the artist to assign symbolic, hierarchical value to certain elements of objects in a composition. In ancient Egyptian art, the hieratic scale is used mainly to differentiate between the status of the elite (such as pharaohs) and the common person. For example, on the Narmer Palette, the pharaoh appears many times larger than his vanquished enemies, not because he is a giant but because his status and power is far greater than that of his foes (“What is the Hieratic Scale?”).
Composite View
Composite view is one of the distinguishing features of ancient Near Eastern art. Using composite view, the artist depicts different body parts from different angles, all in the same picture. For example, the head and legs may be from the side but the torso...
References
“Egyptian Art,” (n.d.). https://www.khanacademy.org/humanities/ap-art-history/ancient-mediterranean-ap/ancient-egypt-ap/a/egyptian-art
“What is the Hieratic Scale?” Ancient Egyptian Art. https://www.papertrell.com/apps/preview/The-Handy-Art-History-Answer-Book/handy%20answer%20book/What-is-the-hieratic-scale/001137026/content/SC/52caff3582fad14abfa5c2e0_default.html
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