From Red Pyramid to Step Pyramid: Where History Meets Creative Expression

Did you know that the massive triangular structures in the desert were built as eternal homes for pharaohs? During the 3rd and 4th dynasties (c. 2613-2181 BCE), pyramids weren’t just tombs—they housed everything a pharaoh needed for the afterlife. When we think of pyramids, Giza comes to mind, but Egypt has many more, each with its own story.

The Red Pyramid

In Dahshur, the Red Pyramid was Pharaoh Sneferu’s groundbreaking attempt at a smooth-sided pyramid. Originally covered in white limestone, it has since turned red as the outer layer eroded. This pyramid set the stage for the famous ones at Giza. It was built approximately 2585 BC around 4,600 years ago. But before that 100 years ago, there was the Step Pyramid of Djoser in Saqqara—Egypt’s first pyramid ever. Designed by Imhotep, it featured six stacked layers and was the first large-scale stone structure in history.

The Step Pyramid of Djoser

The shift from step pyramids to smooth-sided ones reflected Egypt’s evolving beliefs and engineering skills. The Step Pyramid of Djoser was Egypt’s first large-scale stone structure, symbolizing the pharaoh’s ascent to the gods. Later, Pharaoh Sneferu’s experiments led to the Red Pyramid, the first true smooth-sided pyramid, representing the sun’s rays guiding the pharaoh’s soul. By the time of Giza’s pyramids, builders had perfected construction techniques, using precise limestone blocks. This transformation wasn’t just aesthetic—it symbolized religious shifts and technical mastery, making pyramids more stable, symbolic, and visually striking for eternity.

The Pyramids of Giza

Egypt’s pyramids continue to inspire architecture, fashion, and pop culture. The Louvre Pyramid in Paris and the Luxor Hotel in Las Vegas showcase the lasting impact of pyramid-shaped structures. Egyptian aesthetics—bold geometric designs, gold accents, deep blues, reds, and greens—appear in modern fashion and interior decor. Even storytelling borrows from ancient Egypt, with movies like Gods of Egypt, a sequel of The Scorpion King, and many more fantasy novels using pyramids as symbols of mystery, power, and adventure. The pyramid’s symmetry, symbolism, and mystique make it an eternal source of inspiration, proving that the past still shapes the present in remarkable ways.

Egypt’s history is reflected even in the evolution of its pyramids. Each design shift tells a story of innovation and belief, shaping past and present. If you’re fascinated by Egypt’s legacy and its influence on art, join our upcoming Artist Residency in Egypt and experience it firsthand.