“Renaissance” watercolor painting by kayti sweetland rasmussen
Five thousand years ago in Egypt, long before the pyramids at Giza, the mighty king Djoser ruled a land dry beyond belief from a seven year drought. His vizier Imhotek, physician, scientist and architect, designed a limestone step pyramid at Saqqara as a tomb memorial, commemorating the good works of Djoser, and hoping to bring about an end to the drought.
Where is the magic in the pyramid shape?
Danish church
Memorial to the Oxford martyrs
Sectional wooden pyramid made by Finnish artist
Transamerica Pyramid
The Transamerica Pyramid building in San Francisco has been called an iconic symbol of tomorrow. Is that what a pyramid stands for? Is the shape a symbol of rebirth, of renewal? We all hope for a better tomorrow.
Pachofa-Unfinished 
Fun combination of Native American and Egyptian symbolism in your painting, Kayti. Pyramid power has always been a fun concept, well integrated into new age mysticism… and movies. No doubt the Pharaohs were hoping for a long and happy afterlife. 🙂 –Curt
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I found it interesting to see how many cultures use the pyramid form, and probably for the same reason, though the circle would seem to be equally important.
Those old guys didn’t stay down here for too long, so it was probably nice to look forward to something better.
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Gorgeous painting! and an interesting topic. I seem to remember something about the pyramid shape being modelled on the rays of the sun.
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That would make sense given the amount of sun over there. I became interested in the steps on the steeples of the Danish churches some time ago, then realized that the Native American kivas employed that same element. Curious how the same thoughts occur to artists/architects in various parts of the world.
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Not being familiar with the story of Djoser, I can’t help wondering, did it work? Possibly as well as the rain dances primitive people all over the world perform.
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Apparently after that 7 year drought, the Nile DID flood. Djoser ruled for 30 years, and I’m sure there were other droughts during that time. His vizier Imhotep, even though he was the architect of the step pyramid, was never buried in a tomb.
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People might have always wanted to go higher up. Now, of course, rockets take us higher than ever before. Early builders would have found out that the reverse of a pyramid did not work out. The base invariably has to be broader as one goes up.
It’s never easy and we search for something higher all the time. I think you painting points to something higher, Kayti.
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A wise remark Gerard: the base of anything, whether buildings or character, has to be larger than the top. Too bad Trump hasn’t figured that out. More’s the pity, neither has Hillary.
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Here’s another one for you — the Bank of America center here in Houston. It’s a Philip Johnson building, and even though it raised some eyebrows when it was proposed and then built, it’s become a wonderful symbol of the city.
And turn over a dollar bill. There’s the pyramid again, with that eye on top of it. There’s no counting the number of late-night AM radio conspiracies that have been spun out of that! But now that I think of it — is that an eye I see peeking out from behind the pyramid in your painting?
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What a beautiful building! It incorporates the pyramid shape as well as the steps as the Danish churches have. I looked at a tile mural I did years ago in Native American style and there were the steps! Yes, it is an eye peering around the pyramid for a reason I can’t remember, and maybe I had no reason—just design.
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And a better tomorrow is going to happen, I am positive! Love this painting, one I could study for hours, weeks, years, and still find something new. 🙂
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Aww! I’m blushing. I’m happy you like the painting Gill.
After Trump’s speech the other night put us into darkest midnight, so I hope something better will happen. He seems to be bent upon frightening us to death. My take on our condition is; stay off the freeway, don’t fall and eat your oatmeal.
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