Art and architecture both from the ancient and modern times display and communicate various themes that transpire in the society in many ways. Artists and architects, therefore, had to conform to the ideas and intentions that were to be displayed and re-laid by certain structures and artistic features to their audience and viewers. The design, style and method used in construction and production of any construction had to be done cautiously and professionally to produce an outstanding piece that would make it easy for the audience to analyze and interpret various themes and information being displayed by the structures. Architects and artists, therefore, had to use the locally available materials and resources that resulted into a great piece of work as noted in the Queen Hatshepsut’s Temple. Many ancient structures and buildings that have amazed and puzzle many not only in the past but up to the current times due to their outstanding design and style that have proved to be different. It has left many viewers and audience of such pieces to reflect and analyze the factors and forces that influenced the architects and artists who produced such unique and excellent work. However, my goal in this paper is to examine the different themes that result for the great piece of Queen Hatshepsut’s Temple and the architectural techniques used in the structure resulting into an outstanding work.
Queen Hatshepsut’s Temple is unique in many aspects when compared to other pyramids that existed by the time. The architectural styles and design vary in many aspects from other temples ranging from the design, style and process used to produce the work. It is among the largest temples ever built and the few dedicated to a woman. The architecture who built the structure called Senenmut. It is noted he was inspired in his design and style by the surrounding mortuary temples that had existed. It made the architecture make the Hatshepsut’s Temple on three terraced levels with causeway leading to other temples within the building and the surrounding environment (Institute of Egyptian Art and Archaeology,3 ). Gardens with trees were planted in the front of the lower courtyard. The temple it is pointed out was built to commemorate the achievements of Queen Hatshepsut’s and that would serve as a funerary temple for her. Religious experts also note that the temple served as a sanctuary of the god Amon Ra. The beauty displayed by the structure is unrivalled by analyzing the structure from the front and side view. The three layered terraces when examined from the front view presents an even pattern each leading to the next layer that appeals to the eye. The color of the structure conforms to the background of the building. It is raised and has a ramp that connects the terraces with a similar color that is natural built of limestone. Behind the temple are high raised wall that give the temple a balance and places the temple to appear centrally placed form the scenario creating a good image and view of the piece. The temple, therefore, conforms to the natural environment that surrounds presenting a beautiful view (Egyptian Monuments, 1). The background walls that are highly raised presenting contours that run from the top to down in an even manner adding more beauty related to the temple. It is imperative to note that many temples among others religious places of worship in the ancient days and times had been build in a manner that reflects the culture of the people and their faith. Queen Hatshepsut’s Temple despite being exceptional done conformed to many features that define a temple and place of worship for the ancient times. It was designed and built in a way that it would be possible for the audience and viewers to tell that it was a temple due to the styles and design. The design presents and reflects those standard pyramids that shaped many aspects in the architectural world in Egypt and the entire regions surrounding the country. The support columns placed in the temple keeps all the three levels of the temple upright presenting a good picture that shows the balance that the architecture had in the design. It presents good measurements and dimension of the structure indicating a high level of professionalism from the architecture. The temple made with ramps and courtyard presents and indicates that the temple had the capacity to host a variety of events including providing relaxation centers and places to the worshippers (Mortuary Temple of Queen Hatshepsut, 2). All these were carved out of the cliffs presenting great artistic talent and style.
Buildings and structures made from any part of the world display and convey a particular meaning that either brings out the theme of related to cultural, historical, philosophical or religious themes and information to the audience and viewers of such structure. To reinforce the themes that such structures are designed to display, artistic features and styles that describe and tells a particular report relating to the major themes are incorporated in the building. The artistic features such as carvings and sculptures are placed within the building to reinforce and emphasize the messages being displayed. Queen Hatshepsut’s Temple had many drawings, paintings and sculptures placed in many areas of the temple such as walls, entrances and even in open spaces within the temple. They are meant to reinforce and communicate the religious meanings and attributes for the viewers and users of the temple (Institute of Egyptian Art and Archaeology, 2). It showed the emphasis and strong religious believe that the queen Hatshepsut had. The size of the temples big enough to accommodate many worshipers and believers at ago and the three terraced levels shows the hierarchy that exist and that was to be followed and used when conducting the prayers from the temple. Cultural elements are also displayed from the building from the shape and style of the building that resembles the pyramid that are key attributes that have defined the people of Egypt from the ancient days to the present times. In the ancient times, the role that women had in most parts of the society was minimal and in most cases women were seen as the subject of men. However, from analysis of the temple dedicated to a woman, it displays and shows the changes that society had started to experience regarding the role that women had in society and it marked the beginning of women empowerment in that society. It led to many conflicts of interest and ideology with the construction of the temple by then (Preservation Arts High School Curriculum, 2). The temple, therefore, is recognized as great architectural structure because of the many characteristics that it brings with it displaying varying themes that touch to cultural matters, spiritual, aesthetic and artistic features displayed in the temple among others. Any architectural structure has to be able to communicate with the audience and viewers of the piece and create meaning with ease besides being created uniquely and exceptionally well as noted in Queen Hatshepsut’s Temple.
In conclusion, the temple has contributed greatly in the field of art and architecture from its unique style and design that shows creativity and innovation. The structure is well balanced and presented that conforms to the natural environment and surrounding giving it an artistic look. Artistic features within the building that reinforce the major themes presented by the structure makes it easy for the viewers and audience as well as users of the facility to interpret the various themes presented by the structure. Queen Hatshepsut’s Temple, therefore, remains among the greatest architectural structures ever build.
Queen Hatshepsut's Temple (1505-1484 B.C.E.) Deir el-Bahri, Egypt Architect: Senenmut
The “Personal Architecture Influence of Pharaoh Queen Hatshepsut Temple”
Works cited
"Institute of Eqyptian Art and Archaeology: Thebes - Temple of Hatshepsut: University of Memphis." Institute of Eqyptian Art and Archaeology : Thebes - Temple of Hatshepsut :: University of Memphis. University of Memphis, n.d. Web. 3rd April. 2014.
"Mortuary Temple of Queen Hatshepsut." Mortuary Temple of Queen Hatshepsut. Mary Ann Sullivan, 2001. Web. 4th April, 2014.
"Preservation Arts High School Curriculum." Preservation Arts High School Curriculum. N.p., n.d. Web. 3rd April. 2014.
“Egyptian Monumnets”. Temple of Hatsheput. Available at: http://egyptsites.wordpress.com/2009/02/09/temple-of-hatshepsut/. 2009. Web. 4th April, 2014 .
