The early rock-cut tombs were, of course, only capable of producing
internal effects; their floor presents a series of halls and
galleries, varying in size and shape, leading one out of the other,
and intended by their contrast or combination to produce architectural
effect. To this was added in the latter rock-cut tombs a façade to
be seen directly in front. Much the same account can be given of the
disposition of the built temples. They possess one front, which the
spectator approaches, and they are disposed so as to produce varied and
impressive interiors, but not to give rise to external display. The
supports, such as walls, columns, piers, are all very massive and very
close together, so that the only wide open spaces are courtyards.
The circle, or octagon, or other polygonal forms do not appear in the
plans of Egyptian buildings; but though all the lines are straight,
there is a good deal of irregularity in spacing, walls which face one
another are not always parallel, and angles which appear to be right
angles very often are not so.
The later buildings extend over much space. The adjuncts to these
buildings, especially the avenues of sphinxes, are planned so as to
produce an air of stately grandeur, and in them some degree of external
effect is aimed at.
The walls are uniformly thick, and often of granite or of stone, though
brick is also met with; _e. g._, some of the smaller pyramids are built
entirely of brick. In all probability the walls of domestic buildings
were to a great extent of brick, and less thick than those of the
temples; hence they have all disappeared.
The surface of walls, even when of granite, was usually plastered with
a thin fine plaster, which was covered by the profuse decoration in
color already alluded to.
The walls of the propylons tapered from the base toward the top, and
the same thing sometimes occurred in other walls. In almost all cases
the stone walls are built of very large blocks, and they show an
unrivaled skill in masonry.
The roofing which remains is executed entirely in stone, but not
arched or vaulted. The rock-cut tombs, however, contain ceilings of an
arched shape, and in some cases forms which seem to be an imitation of
timber roofing. The roofing of the hypostyle hall at Karnak provides
an arrangement for admitting light very similar to the clerestory of
gothic cathedrals.
The openings were all covered by a stone lintel, and consequently were
uniformly square-headed. The interspaces between columns were similarly
covered, and hence Egyptian architecture has been, and correctly,
classed as the first among the styles of trabeated architecture. Window
openings seldom occur.
The columns have been already described to some extent. They are almost
always circular in plan, but the shaft is sometimes channeled. They are
for the most part of sturdy proportions, but great grace and elegance
are shown in the profile given to shafts and capitals. The design of
the capitals especially is full of variety, and admirably adapts forms
obtained from the vegetable kingdom. The general effect of the Egyptian
column, wherever it is used, is that it appears to have, as it really
has, a great deal more strength than is required. The fact that the
abacus (the square block of stone introduced between the moulded part
of the capital and what it carries) is often smaller in width than the
diameter of the column aids very much to produce this effect.
Mouldings are very rarely employed; in fact, the large bead running up
the angles of the pylons, etc., and a heavy hollow moulding doing duty
as a cornice, are all that are usually met with. Sculpture and carving
occur occasionally, and are freely introduced in later works, where we
sometimes find statues incorporated into the design of the fronts of
temples. Decoration in color, in the shape of hieroglyphic inscriptions
and paintings of all sorts, was profusely employed, and is executed
with a truth of drawing and a beauty of coloring that have never been
surpassed. Almost every object drawn is partly conventionalized, in the
most skillful manner, so as to make it fit its place as a piece of a
decorative system.
The character is gloomy, and to a certain extent forbidding, owing to
the heavy walls and piers and columns, and the great masses supported
by them; but when in its freshness and quite uninjured by decay
or violence, the exquisite coloring of the walls and ceilings and
columns must have added a great deal of beauty: this must have very
much diminished the oppressive effect inseparable from such massive
construction and from the gloomy darkness of many portions of the
buildings. It is also noteworthy that the expenditure of materials
and labor is greater in proportion to the effect attained than in any
other style. The pyramids are the most conspicuous example of this
prodigality. Before condemning this as a defect in the style, it must
be remembered that a stability which should defy enemies, earthquakes,
and the tooth of time, was far more aimed at than architectural
character; and that, had any mode of construction less lavish of
material, and less perfect in workmanship, been adopted, the buildings
of Egypt might have all disappeared ere this.