Wall Decorations
by Lauren Blumenfeld
In the ancient proto-city of Catal Huyuk, wall paintings and wall reliefs were popular. The wall paintings were covered in mineral pigment that was put on a plaster background. The designs used were geometric and symbolic and sometimes looked like kilims, tapestry-woven rug, that looked like wall hangings. Lots of the wall decorations included hunting scenes with many different animals. Many common reliefs, with a base of straw, were carved into walls. The most common repeated designs were of females, bulls, leopards, vultures, and animal battle scenes.
Assyrian palaces were decorated with elaborate wall reliefs carved of limestone. This form or artwork illustrated stories that emphasized the kings' power. The Neo-Assyrian king Tiglath-pileser III had reliefs showing his victories and achievements. One of his great accomplishments was a very detailed story of a capture of a city. The trees shown in the relief most resemble the ones near the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, meaning Tiglath-pileser III had captured a city in Mesopotamia around 728 BCE.
In ancient Egypt, wall murals were very common and found on Egyptian buildings. The paintings were usually depicted gods, goddesses, or Pharaohs or scenes from daily life. Large paintings were conducted by teamwork, with each artist focusing on one feature of the artwork. Paintings were also used to decorate tombs. They created the paintings to make the afterlife pleasant for the deceased. These beautiful paintings included pictures of the dead being guided into the afterlife by gods.
The walls of the tomb were also decorated by relief. If the walls were mud brick or poor quality stone, paintings were used. If the wall was good stone, relief was used. Relief started off as a painting and drawing which was then carved and sometimes painted.
The walls of the tomb were also decorated by relief. If the walls were mud brick or poor quality stone, paintings were used. If the wall was good stone, relief was used. Relief started off as a painting and drawing which was then carved and sometimes painted.