Like the mosaic, the wall scenes of the tomb formed, not a series of independent scenes, but an ordinary composition, the unity of which is readily recognised by such as are skilled to read the art-language of the period.
2 .-- TECHNICAL PROCESSES.
[Illustration: Fig.

178 .-- Sculptor's sketch from Ancient Empire tomb.] [Illustration: Fig.

179 .-- Sculptor's sketch from Ancient Empire tomb.] The preparation of the surface about to be decorated demanded much time and care.

Seeing how imperfect were the methods of construction, and how impossible it was for the architect to ensure a perfectly level surface for the facing stones of his temple-walls and pylons, the decorator had perforce to accommodate himself to a surface slightly rounded in some places and slightly hollowed in others.

Even the blocks of which it was formed were scarcely homogeneous in texture.