Art 8

Art HistorySketchbook ReviewsPre-Historic ArtEurope in 30,000 BC 2,500 BC

Gravettian Culture AustriaVenus of Willendorf24,000 22,000 BCOolitic limestone yellowish, traces of ochreOne of three figurines recovered from Paleolithic archeological sites at Willendorf in AustriaOne of many similarly shaped, female carvings - known as "Venus Figurines - found across Europe and made during this time periodDiscovered in 1908 by Austrian archeologist Josef Szombathy11 cm high and a max. of 4 cm wideThought to represent fertility, OR a higher social status obesity leading to abundance of food, etc.

Pre-Historic ArtEurope in 30,000 BC 2,500 BCNearly 2,000 figures, grouped into three categories - animals, human figures and abstract signsMostly horses (364 total, 90 are stags); also cattle, bison, felines, a bird, a bear, a rhinoceros, and a humanOne of the bulls is 17 feet longCrossed hind legs show the ability to use perspectiveNo vegetation or environment is portrayed around the animalsDiscovered in 1940 2000 fungus appeared; 2006 black mold; 2008 cave closed except for 20 minutes once a week to monitor conditions

Southwestern FranceCaves of Lascaux15,000 BCpainted onto walls using mineral pigments as well as incised into the stonePre-Historic ArtEurope in 30,000 BC 2,500 BC

1st phase a bank & ditch arrangement called a henge, built 5,000 years agoTemple for worship of ancient deities?Astronomical observatory? Prehistoric calendar?Sacred site for burial of high-ranking citizens?100 feet diameter, 24 feet tall89 stones weighing up to 4 tons eachYears later stones weighing 40-45 tons were moved inBlue stones are made of spotted dolerite (volcanic rock) so rare its only found in one known location which is 20 miles west of Stonehenge

England, County WiltshireStonehenge3,000 2.000 BCLarge standing bluestones and sarsen stones set within earthworksNon-European Art30,000 BC 1,600 CEBenin, NigeriaThe Ivory Mask (African)16th CenturyIvory, Iron, Copper

Among most celebrated pieces of African artKeep evil away from the Edo peoplesPortrait of Idia, mother and close advisor to one of the tribes most powerful leadersHollowed back suggests that it was both a pendant and a receptaclepossibly containing medicines to protect the king during ceremonial occasions9 3/8 in. tallTop decorated with heads, symbolizing Portuguese alliance with and control over EuropeansNon-European Art30,000 BC 1,600 CEYucatan state in MexicoThe Temple at Chichen Itza750 900 CEStone

Large Pre-Columbian city built by the Maya CivilizationFamous for its traveling serpentStep pyramid demonstrates the accuracy and importance of Maya astronomy365 steps one for each day of the year each of the temples four sides has 91 steps, and the top platform makes the 365thnamed one of the New Seven Wonders of the World

On Spring & Fall equinox the serpent descends from the heavens along the temple walls

As sun sets, shadowy snake descends steps to join a stone serpent head at the base of the staircase

Non-European Art30,000 BC 1,600 CEChinaTomb of Emperor Qin aka The Terracotta Army246-209 BCTerracotta Sculptures

Discovered in 1974 by farmers digging a water wellForm of funerary art buried with Qin To protect Qin in afterlife, and to make sure that he had people to rule overFigures vary in height according to roles, with the tallest being the generalsThree pits containing the Terracotta Army Over 8,000 soldiers, 130 chariots with 520 horses and 150 cavalry horses, the majority of which are still buried

Non-European Art30,000 BC 1,600 CE

Manufactured in workshops by 700,000 local craftsmenHead, arms, legs and torsos were created separately and then assembledEight face molds most likely used, and then clay was added to provide individual facial featuresVary in height, uniform and hairstyle in accordance with rank all life-sizeMost originally held real weapons such as spears, swords, or crossbowsWere painted vibrant colorsEgyptian3100 BC 30 BC

Sculptor: ThutmoseNefertiti Bust1345 BCLimestone, Gypsum, Crystal, Wax, StuccoNefertiti: literally "the beautiful one has comeThe bust is 19in tall, weighs about 44lbsFace is completely symmetrical and almost intact, but the left eye lacks the inlay present in the rightPupil of the right eye is of inserted quartz with black paint and is fixed with beeswaxExact function of the bust is unknown, though it is theorized that the bust may be a sculptor's model

Egyptian3100 BC 30 BC German archaeological team led by Ludwig Borchardt discovered the bust in 1912 in Thutmose's workshop in Amarna, Egypt.Kept in several locations in GermanyWas CT scanned in 1992 and 2006Wrinkles found on neck and bags under her eyes, suggesting the sculptor had tried to depict signs of agingInner face has creases around her mouth and cheeks and a swelling on the noseBecome "one of the most admired, and most copied, images from ancient Egypt

Egyptian3100 BC 30 BC

West Bank of the Nile in GizaGreat Sphinx of Giza, with the Pyramid of Khufu2558 - 2532 BCCarved Limestone BedrockOldest known monumental sculptureStatue of a reclining sphinx (a mythical creature with a lion's body and a human head)66 feet high and 240 feet long from front paws to tail-endBuilt by ancient Egyptians during the reign of the Pharaoh KhafraPossibly covered with plaster like bust of NefertitiPharaoh Khafre is believed to be the man responsible for building the Sphinx Theory is that the erosion was caused by wind sandblasting the figure, however it was concluded that the erosion was caused by rainfallEgyptian3100 BC 30 BC

THEORIES:Sphinx was originally a statue of the Jackal-Dog Anubis, the God of the DeadFace was recarved in the likeness of a Middle Kingdom pharaoh, Amenemhet IITraces of paint seen around one of the Sphinx's ears - believe that it was once colorfully paintedEgyptian3100 BC 30 BC

The Book of the DeadUsed from 1550 50 BCwritten on papyrus and tomb wallsIt is not a book modern name of an ancient Egyptian funerary textConsists of magic spells intended to assist a dead person's journey through the underworld into the afterlifemost commonly written in hieroglyphic or hieratic script on a papyrus scroll190 200 spells are knownOnce prepared, the collection of spells was packed carefully away with their other grave goods, to be placed in their tombEgyptian3100 BC 30 BC

They imagined the afterlife as a kind of journey you had to make to get to paradise but it was quite a hazardous journey so youd need magical help along the wayPapyrus of Ani is one of the finest and most complete examples of this type of Egyptian funerary text to survive. The Papyrus of Ani now resides in The British Museum, London.Greek850 BC 31 BC Greek Pottery1050 600 BCClay, Slip

Most of what we know about Greek art comes from the pictures they painted on pottery about daily life, and they were used in daily lifePots came in all sorts of shapes and sizes depending on their purposePainted scene reflected what the pot was used forGreek painted pottery changed over timeTells us about how life was in Athens and other ancient Greek cities Greeks believed that goddess Athena invented earthenware pots, and was the patroness of Greek pottersPots are the most valuable tools archeologists use for the study of ancient Greek historyThought of the pots as if they were people - used human terms to describe parts of the pots mouth, lip, neck, shoulder, and body. The mouth is the opening at the top. The lip is the edge of the pot right around the mouth. Below the lip is the neck. The shoulder is where the neck expands to the size of the body and the body is the main part of the pot.

16Greek850 BC 31 BC

Periods of Greek Pottery:ProtogeometricGeometricOrientalizingBlack figureRed figureWhite ground techniqueHellenistic Period

Forms of Greek PotteryAmphora olive oil as prize for winning athleteKrater for mixing wine with waterKantharos drinking cupAlabastron perfumes & oilsHydria collecting water Greek850 BC 31 BC Alexandros of AntiochVenus de Milo130 100 BCMarble

Currently at the Louvre Museum in ParisOne of most famous works of ancient Greek SculptureBelieved to depict Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love and beautyShe is 6 feet 8 inches highDiscovered on April 8, 1820 by a peasant named Yorgos Kentrotas, inside a buried niche within the ancient city ruins of MilosComprised of several parts which were sculpted separately (bust, legs, left arm and foot) then fixed with vertical pegs, a technique which was fairly common in the Greek worldGreek850 BC 31 BC

She may have held an apple, a crown, a shield, or a mirror in which she admired her reflection.Right side is worked more carefully and finished in greater detail than the left side or back, indicating that the statue was intended to be viewed in profile from its right. Would have been painted, as was the Greek custom for statuaryOriginally wore metal jewelry bracelet, earrings, and headband only the fixation holes remain

Greek850 BC 31 BC

Iktinos, Kallikrates, KarpionThe Parthenon447 432 BCLimestone, Pentelic MarbleDedicated to the goddess Athena Pallas or ParthenosMain function was to shelter the monumental statue of Athena that was made by Pheidias out of gold and ivoryTemple of the Doric order: 8 columns at the faade and 17 columns at the flanks, conforming to the established ratio of 9:4. *Ratio governed the vertical and horizontal proportions of the temple as well as many other relationships of the building like the spacing between the columns and their heightGreek850 BC 31 BC

All Greek temples designed to be seen only from outside - viewers never entered a temple and could only glimpse the interior statues through the open doorsEpitomizes all the ideals of Greek thought during the Classical era through artistic means. Concepts in Athens that set them apart from barbarians: idealism of Greek way of living, attention to detail, understanding of a mathematically explained harmony in the natural worldRepresented in perfect proportions of building, intricate architectural elements, and anthropomorphic statues that adorned it

Roman500 BC 476 AC

The Colosseum7080 ADBuilt by Emperor Vespasian, finished by Emperor TitusConcrete and stoneOriginal name: Flavian AmphiteaterSeats between 50,000 and 80,000 people (thats about as many as Giants Stadium in New Jersey) 4 levels: 3 lower for seating and top level for standing room only80 entrances, 76 are numbered with corresponding tunnels to assigned seating areasRetractable roof: 160 ft. high (14 stories)7,500 tons of Travertine stone was hauled 20 miles from nearby mine1349 there was an earthquake that damaged the outer wall and builders and thieves stole the broken stone and iron Roman ArtRoman500 BC 476 AC Opening of the structure: 100 day celebration in which over 5,000 animals killed and an unknown number of men were killedHosted gladiatorial battles and hunts with staged elaborate sets and movable trees and buildings Ancient writers recorded that the building was used for simulated sea battles Hundreds of underground tunnels, elevators, and cells were below the amphitheater floor

Roman500 BC 476 AC May have been a formal dining room, and is decorated with very fine frescoes Actual subject of the frescoes is hotly debated, most common interpretation is scenes of the initiation of a woman into a special cult of Dionysus cult that required specific rites and rituals to become a memberOther theories: part of a ritual ceremony aimed at preparing privileged, protected girls for the psychological transition to life as married womenEach panel depicted a different scene from the ritual, from reading the rites of passage, to the music being played, the gods being present, to the sharing of wine

Villa of Mysteries in Pompeii79 ADPompeii, ItalyFresco Paintings inside done by unknown artist(s)Roman500 BC 476 AC

Fresco: technique of mural painting executed upon freshly laid plaster Water is used as the vehicle for the pigment and, with the setting of the plaster, the painting becomes an integral part of the wall. The word fresco is derived from the Italian adjective fresco meaning "freshCovered in ash and volcanic material from eruption of Vesuvius in 79 AD frescoes survived largely undamaged.Roman500 BC 476 AC Based on the Doryphorus, which portrays ideal human proportions of Athenian athletePortrays him as a victorious General making a speech, posed in the traditional controposto mannerPersonal features of Augustus: a broad cranium, deep-set eyes, sharp ridges in his brow, a well-formed mouth and a small chinFace depicted in the manner of Apollo was meant to associate Augustus abilities with those of the powerful god Augustus wanted to portray himself as a perfect leader with flawless features, showing the power and authority of the man who had the capacity to stabilize an empire

Commissioned by Tiberius Augustus of Prima Porta15 A.D. White marbleRoman500 BC 476 AC Believed that this marble statue may be a copy of a bronze statue that Tiberius mother may have hadTiberius made a significant addition to his marble copy on the chest plate he added scenes depicting the Roman victory over the ParthiansThese scenes were used by Tiberius as a form of propaganda so that the viewer would recall the important role his father played in securing the Roman empireBarefoot Augustus as well as Cupid on the dolphin hint at the ancestry to the goddess Venus

Medieval500 1400 Illuminated Letter & ManuscriptsItaly400 600Papyrus, Vellum, Parchment, Gold, Silver, Ink & Quill

Decorated with gold or silver costly process reserved for special textsWritten and decorated by handMost common item to survive the Middle Ages; generally religious in natureEarly versions were Gospel Books, but later versions included complete Bibles and personal devotion booksMonasteries produced manuscripts for their own libraries, wealthy individuals commissioned works as a sign of status within the communityMedieval500 1400

Parchment is high quality writing support made from the specially prepared skins of calves, sheep, or goatsPigments used in illumination were ground up or soaked out vegetable, mineral, and animal extractsProduction was divided among four distinct craftsmen: the parchment maker, the scribe, the illuminator, and the bookbinderParchment maker prepared the animal skins used to make the leaves of a manuscriptScribe wrote the manuscript's text by handIlluminator provided the manuscript's painted decorationBookbinder provided a binding to protect the manuscript, which held the leaves together and kept them from curlingMedieval500 1400 Stained Glass10th 16th CenturiesGlass, sand, ash, paintPictorial art form using colored and painted glassUsed mostly in churches, but also wealthy settings and public buildingsPurpose was to enhance the beauty of the setting and to inform viewers via symbolism and narrativesFrench clergyman Abbot Suger wanted to build a cathedral that would uplift the spirit by bathing worshippers in brilliant colored light. The stained glass windows were like luminous paintings, depict stories from the Bible and drawing the gaze upward toward heaven.

Medieval500 1400

Medieval500 1400 Giotto di BondoneOgnissanti Madonna, aka Madonna Enthroned1310Tempera on Panel

Traditional Christian subject matter Virgin Mary with Christ Child on her lap, they are surrounded by saints and angelsOriginally painted for the Ognissanti Franciscan church in FlorenceGiotto took influence from many art forms, styles and artists of his time, but he was the first to depict 3-Dimensional figures in Western European artFabric folds are realistic instead of lines he used light, shadow, and color to create the appearance of fabric; contours of the body underneath the fabric folds are also visibleUses chiaroscuro (the use of contrasts of light) to achieve a sense of volume in figures, giving them the slight smokiness that is usually characteristic of later Renaissance artists

Medieval500 1400

Renaissance1400 1500Baroque1600 1750Impressionism1865 1885Post-Impressionism1885 1910Expressionism1900 1935Cubism1905 1920Surrealism1917 1950Abstract Expressionism1940s 1950sPop Art1960sAssemblage1970 +Recycled1970 +