Final answer:
The ancient Egyptian tomb drawing's main principle is to emphasize the significance of its subjects through composite view, which in turn contributed to the preservation of historical knowledge and themes of the afterlife in western art history.
Step-by-step explanation:
The drawing from an ancient Egyptian tomb, such as "Ti Watching a Hippopotamus Hunt," attempts to demonstrate the principle that a painting should emphasize the importance of the subjects. Ancient Egyptian art used composite view to depict animals and people, showing different parts of the figure from different angles (profile view of the head and front view of the body), while maintaining a standard set of proportions—often utilizing 18 "fists" in measurement. The use of colors like red, blue, black, gold, and green was vital. This art form was both highly stylized and symbolic, focusing heavily on themes of the afterlife and the journey through the underworld, which was a significant concern in Egyptian culture. By preserving these themes in burial chambers and tombs, the Egyptians contributed to the preservation of knowledge of the past and the emphasis on life after death within the history of western art.