• Organized by theme to introduce the 'big ideas' in Egyptian art and architecture
• Looks at how ancient Egyptian buildings and works of art were designed and made
• Explores specific examples of art and architecture, and what they can - and can't - tell us about ancient Egyptian society
• Considers how ideas and ancient Egyptian art have changed over time - and why it is still relevant today
• Offers advice on visiting Egyptian art in museums and exploring the subject further online

 
From Berlin to Boston, and St Petersburg to Sydney, ancient Egyptian art fills the galleries of some of the world's greatest museums, while the architecture of Egyptian temples and pyramids has attracted tourists to Egypt for centuries. But what did Egyptian art and architecture mean to the people who first made and used it - and why has it had such an enduring appeal? 

In this Very Short Introduction, Christina Riggs explores the visual arts produced in Egypt over a span of some 4,000 years. The stories behind these objects and buildings have much to tell us about how people in ancient Egypt lived their lives in relation to each other, the natural environment, and the world of the gods. Demonstrating how ancient Egypt has fascinated Western audiences over the centuries with its impressive pyramids, eerie mummies, and distinctive visual style, Riggs considers the relationship between ancient Egypt and the modern world.