Page:A History of Art in Ancient Egypt Vol 2.djvu/371

 Technical Processes. 339 the tomb. The pictures upon the external walls of the temples and upon the pylons were seen in the full glare of a southern sun ; so too, at least for a part of the day, were those upon the w^alls of the courtyards, and upon the shafts of their surrounding columns. Even in the interior many of the decorations would receive direct Fig. 264. — Portrait of Queen Taia. From Prisse. sunlight from the claustra of the attic, others w^ould be subject to friction from the hands and garments of visitors. Painting by itself would be unfitted for such situations. It would either have its effect destroyed by the direct light, or its colours dulled and damaged by constant touches. Figures carved in the substance of