Printed Page 25-0(cont.)
A History of Western Society: Printed Page 25
PRIMARY SOURCE 1.5
Egyptian Home Life
This grave painting depicts an intimate moment in the life of an aristocratic family, with the father and mother in the center and their children around them. Often found in Egyptian tombs are statuettes of cats (see inset), which were both family pets, and the symbol of the goddess Bastet.
(family: Gianni Dagli Orti/The Art Archive at Art Resource, NY; cat: © The Trustees of the British Museum)
EVALUATE THE EVIDENCE
Question
What evidence do you find in the painting that Egyptian artists based the size of figures on people’s status in the household?
Question
Based on your reading, how might an image of a poor family differ from this depiction?