What is a major characteristic of ancient Egyptian art?

A major characteristic of ancient Egyptian art is the use of simple lines and shapes. The Egyptians believed this created an orderly, balanced presentation, and they tended to portray life and people as they wished them to be and not how they actually were.

Because of this style, people were depicted as young and healthy regardless of their age, and images were usually happy ones.

Colors used to draw male subjects were often a dark reddish-brown, while women were colored a lighter yellowish-brown. The color difference represented the difference in lifestyles between the two genders. A man's life was typically an outdoorsy, rugged one compared to a woman's life, which was a secluded existence.