Art - 1st Grading - Lesson 1

Types of Art Forms

• Painting, sculpture, and architecture are primary forms of art.

Eras of Western Classical Art

• Notable art eras include Prehistoric, Egyptian, Greek, Roman, Byzantine, Romanesque, and Gothic.

Ancient Art Eras

• Prehistoric and Egyptian art represent the earliest styles of Western classical traditions.

Classical Art Eras

• Greek and Roman art are categorized as classical periods.

Medieval Art

• Byzantine, Romanesque, and Gothic styles define the medieval art period.

Prehistoric Era

• Encompasses all of human existence prior to written records; art reveals insights into early human life and culture.

Prehistoric Paintings

• Cave paintings served as communication methods or for religious purposes, found predominantly in caves.

Cave of Lascaux

• Discovered on September 12, 1940, it features nearly 2,000 figures, predominantly of animals, and has several identified sections.

Egyptian Paintings

• Aimed to ensure a pleasant afterlife for the deceased, often showing themes related to the underworld and deities.

Themes in Egyptian Art

• Focus on the journey to the underworld, interactions with gods, and preservation of life after death.

Characteristics of Egyptian Paintings

• Highly stylized and symbolic, primarily depicting profile views.

Colors in Egyptian Art

• Common colors included red, black, blue, gold, and green, derived from durable mineral pigments.

Tutankhamun's Tomb Paintings

• Depict scenes of the king's life and anticipated experiences in the afterlife.

Classical Greek Paintings

• Found on vases, panels, and tombs, these artworks depict dynamic compositions with themes of battles, mythology, and daily life.

Greek Painting Techniques

• Common methods include fresco (water-based pigments on wet plaster) and encaustic (uses hot wax).

Greek Vase Painting

• Kerch vases feature red-figured pottery, portraying scenes of everyday life and mythology.

Common Motifs in Greek Vase Painting

• Scenes of women, mythological beings, and mythical events dominated the motifs, with a technique called polychromy employed for color.

Panel Painting

• Involves paintings on wooden panels, which are often lost due to their organic composition.

Tomb Painting in Greece

• Gained popularity with fresco and encaustic methods; survivors are rare due to material properties.

Roman Painting Innovations

• Developed landscape painting, broadening subject matter to include animals, everyday life, still life, portraits, and landscapes.

Mosaic Art

• Created with small pieces of colored materials, used for decorative art and interior decoration.

Notable Roman Mosaics

• The Head of Alexander mosaic and frescoes from the Villa of Mysteries depict significant historical and ceremonial themes.

Byzantine Painting

• Christian themes dominated, keeping alive styles from earlier Greek and Roman art.

Romanesque Painting

• Predominantly featured mosaics adhered to strict frontal poses, infused with elongated features characteristic of Mozarabic influences.

Gothic Era Paintings

• Characterized by intricate manuscript illustrations, frescoes, and decorative patterns reflecting popular legends and narratives influenced by the Crusades.

Significant Gothic Artworks

• The Lady and the Unicorn tapestry and rose windows exemplify the use of color and religious storytelling through visual means.

Explore the fundamentals of Western Classical Art Traditions with this quiz. From painting and sculpture to various ancient eras like Greek and Roman, this quiz covers key concepts and definitions. Perfect for students beginning their journey into art history.