How come all the Ancient Egyptian wall carvings are always seen from the side?

Answer 1

From the side, one can get a sense of movement. Bas relief (the technique used by Egyptians on walls, where there is only a tiny raised surface) looks odd when a character is facing straight out, and shows no sense of movement.

Answer 2

Chocolahoma and msafwat are both correct. A style was established, and acclaimed by those in power, and that became the 'standard'. Egypt under the Pharaohs was very static and resistant to change especially since all change had to be approved by the religious caste. And while the Egyptians were very accurate dimensionally in 3D sculptures, the ability to make something 2D appear to be 3D requires the principles of perspective and foreshortening...these were not discovered and begun to be taught till after the Roman Empire had conquered Egypt. (this is for the European, African, Middle Eastern areas...China and Japan were more advanced artistically, but isolated from the areas in question).

Answer 3

The carvings are in profile as the Ancient Egyptians believed that it showed the sitter in a better light.

In short it was a matter of taste.

Answer 4

Ancient Egyptian Art had specific characteristics that it was famous for, Basically as most Answerers said it was done using a technique we call "bas reliefe" or low relief, most of the body was drawn in profile except the eyes and shoulders (trunk) were drawn in front view.

To give a feeling of depth objects in the foreground would hide parts of the objects in the Background, like the two horses pulling the Chariot of Ramses II we can see all four pairs of legs each behind the others and parts of the second horse. Have a look at it here:

http://touregypt.net/featurestories/chariots.htm

This technique was used to compensate for the lack of knowledge of perspective rules which were discovered and used only during the European Renaissance.

Scale had little importance, the size of the Object was drawn relative to its importance, So you had huge royal figures surrounded with tiny servants or slaves etc.

Answer 5

Because I always look at them that way. I don't like to face Ancient Egyptian wall carvings. It's not what I do.

Answer 6

That was the accepted artistic style of the era.

Ever wonder why all Renaissance paintings seem to have a certain look?

Or why all Imperssionist paintings share the same style?

Its because one guy had a great style/idea/technique and lots of people imitated it.

In the case of ancient Egypt, if the "flat/sideways" style became associated with holy or religious work, it would have been set in stone, as it were, for millennia...

Answer 7

this is a characteristic of good art. when i looked at Mona Lisa in the Louvre, i kept moving from one side to another, each angle revealed something more in the look. when i see a static painting , i find it lacks this quality.
the pharoahs had a strong aritic sense in carving as well as in music. they were inspired long before shools of art where established. the structure of a monument and the design of paintings have no parallels in the worl.d.

Answer 8

Maybe Ancient Egyptians do know what is 3D, so all their carvings are 2D, which is only seen from the side.

Answer 9

Main reason is to make it 3D but, Also, one leg is put forward because it is seen as showing balance with the heart. It is often the left leg standing forward, depending on the dynasty.

Answer 10

Easy! The Egyptians don't know how to draw hahaha.