Project description
Draw animals like an Egyptian
This one on the papyrus is a goat; there, you can see a snake and an ibis, next to – obviously – a cat. Representations of animals are an intrinsic feature of ancient Egyptian visual culture. However, more remains to be understood, especially when compared to the drawing of human figures. The EU-funded ANIMATE project will determine the rules and ratios governing the design and construction of proportional guides for animal figures via the examination and digital reconstruction of surviving guiding systems from elite tombs of the early Middle Kingdom. Furthermore, researchers will identify the impact of biological considerations via an incorporation of zoological and zooarchaeological data. This study will be the first systematic investigation into the ‘missing animal.
Objective
Representations of the animal world are an intrinsic feature of ancient Egyptian visual culture. Despite their frequent inclusion in Egyptian imagery, comprehensive analysis of the methods used by practitioners when drafting fauna is lacking, especially when compared to their human counterparts. An example of the existing divide is seen with a central principle of Egyptian art known as the canon of proportion - a work process where guiding systems were used by practitioners to organise a scene and render the correct bodily ratios of a figure. While the use of guides for human figures has been thoroughly investigated, a parallel study for animals has not yet been undertaken due to the untested belief that fauna were not regulated by the same proportional standards. The overarching aim of ANIMATE is to challenge the prevailing perspective of a deregulated approach being in place when illustrating the animal world. The project is driven by three objectives: 1) to determine the rules and ratios governing the design and construction of proportional guides for animal figures via the examination and digital reconstruction of surviving guiding systems from elite tombs of the early Middle Kingdom (c. 2030-1840 B.C.); 2) to demonstrate that the drafting of non-human forms was regulated by investigating parallels or connections between the known techniques used for human proportions and those discovered for drafting animals; and 3) to identify the impact of [external] factors such as biological considerations or scene context on proportional standards for animals and the subsequent design of guides via an incorporation of zoological and zooarchaeological data. By being the first systematic investigation into the design, construction and application of proportional guides for non-human forms, ANIMATE will shift knowledge frontiers by shedding new light on the ‘missing animal’, bringing figures generally perceived as having a secondary status in art into the spotlight.
Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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HORIZON.1.2 - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)
MAIN PROGRAMME
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Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-PF-EF - HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
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Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) HORIZON-MSCA-2021-PF-01
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
1010 WIEN
Austria
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.