Final answer:
Egyptian art emphasized the importance of figures through the use of hierarchical scaling, with pharaohs and gods depicted larger than other individuals. A standard set of proportions using 18 'fists' was typically applied to significant figures, and conventions dictated how various aspects of the body were rendered. Later periods introduced more realistic features, and after the Greek conquest, Hellenistic influences became apparent.
Step-by-step explanation:
In Ancient Egyptian art, scale and proportion played crucial roles in conveying the hierarchy and significance of figures. Pharaohs and deities were depicted larger in scale compared to everyday people, which is known as hierarchical scaling. To maintain consistency across artworks, Egyptian artists used a standard set of proportions, conceptualizing the human body as being composed of 18 'fists' from the ground to the hairline on the forehead. This regimented formula applied to important figures, whereas less significant individuals, such as captives or the deceased, might not adhere to these strict proportions.
Furthermore, the depiction of form followed certain conventions; for example, men were represented with darker skin than women, and composite views combined profile and frontal perspectives of the body. This stylistic approach was key to capturing the unique identity and status of each figure within their social and religious context.
During Egypt's Late Period, more naturalistic features began to emerge, hinting at the actual appearances of individuals, including distinct characteristics like furrowed brows, sagging flesh, and scars. After the Greek conquest, some Hellenistic influences of realism became apparent in Egyptian sculpture, although still within the overarching conventions of Egyptian scale and proportion.