Art History 101 Flashcards

Questions and Answers

What does the term 'Hierarchy of Scale' refer to?

A type of sculpture that is abstract

An artistic convention indicating greater importance through greater size (correct)

A method for creating perspective in art

A style of painting with vibrant colors

What is a 'Register' in art?

A horizontal band that depicts a narrative.

What does 'Relief/Relief carvings' mean?

A panel that has been carved into or carved away from.

What characterizes the Amarna Period/Style?

Very naturalistic images that break away from typical ruler portraits. Signup and view all the answers

Define 'Classical' in the context of art.

Beautiful, elegant, more focused on the human body, naturalistic and realistic. Signup and view all the answers

What is 'Contrapposto'?

A style of Greek sculpture where figures are depicted with their weight on one side. Signup and view all the answers

What is a 'Cult Statue'?

The statue of the deity that stood in the cellar of an ancient temple. Signup and view all the answers

What is a 'Frieze'?

A broad horizontal band of sculpted or painted decoration, located above columns. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'Hellenistic' refer to in art?

A period characterized by more naturalistic and expressive sculptures. Signup and view all the answers

What is 'Repoussé'?

A technique where metal is hammered from behind to create a three-dimensional form. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'Necropolis' mean?

A large cemetery belonging to an ancient city. Signup and view all the answers

What is a 'Tumulus'?

A mound of earth and stones raised over a grave. Signup and view all the answers

Define an 'Arch'.

A vertical curved structure that spans an elevated space. Signup and view all the answers

What is a 'Coffer'?

A recess on the interior of a ceiling designed to alleviate weight. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'Continuous Narrative' refer to?

A type of narrative illustrating multiple scenes within a single frame. Signup and view all the answers

What is 'Horror Vacui'?

Fear of empty space in artwork, leading to detailed decoration. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'Oculus' refer to?

An open cut-out in the top center of a dome. Signup and view all the answers

What is a 'Vault'?

A roof in the form of an arch or a series of arches. Signup and view all the answers

What is 'Additive' in sculpture?

Creation of mold, then a pour of metal or other materials. Signup and view all the answers

Define 'Culture'.

Beliefs, customs, and traditions of a specific group of people. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'In the round' mean in sculpture?

Carving done so that the piece can be viewed from 360 degrees. Signup and view all the answers

What is 'Medium' in art?

Materials used to create a work of art. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'Style' refer to in art?

The general style of a period, cultural group, or individual artist. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'Subtractive' mean in sculpture?

Involves the removal of material from stone or wood. Signup and view all the answers

Define 'Technique' in the context of art.

The way of executing a certain work of art. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Art History Concepts

Hierarchy of Scale: Artistic convention where size indicates importance; larger figures represent greater significance, exemplified by the Victory Stele of Naram-Sin from Sippar, Iran.
Register: Horizontal bands depicting narratives; for instance, the Standard of Ur, found in the Royal Cemetery at Ur, Iraq, showcases this Ancient Near East technique.
Relief Carvings: Panels carved into or away from a surface; an example is the Women Holding a Bison Horn, a Paleolithic relief from Laussel, France.
Amarna Period/Style: Characterized by naturalistic imagery diverging from traditional ruler portraits; represented by Pharaoh Akhenaton from Amarta, Egypt.
Classical Art: Focused on idealized human forms and naturalism, showcasing athleticism and triumph; features variety in poses, moving away from rigid frontal views.
Contrapposto: A Greek sculpture style where figures stand with weight on one leg, creating an "S" curve in the body; the Doryphoros exemplifies this technique.
Cult Statue: Represents deities in ancient temples; notably, the Aphrodite of Knidos from Classical Greek culture in Greece.
Frieze: A wide horizontal band featuring sculptural or painted decoration, situated above columns.
Hellenistic Art: Focused on emotion and anatomical realism; artists explored themes of suffering and vulnerability, moving toward expressive sculptural representations.
Repoussé Technique: Involves hammering metal from a single sheet to create three-dimensional shapes; seen in the Funerary Mask of Agamemnon from Ancient Greece.
Necropolis: A large cemetery associated with an ancient city; the Interior of the Tomb of the Reliefs in Cerveteri, Italy serves as an example.
Tumulus: Earth and stone mounds over graves, also known as barrows; the Tumulus in Banditaccia Necropolis illustrates this Etruscan burial practice.
Arch: A curved structure spanning spaces, essential in architecture, exemplified by the Pont du Gard in France.
Coffer: Recessed ceiling designs to alleviate weight, such as those in the Pantheon in Rome.
Continuous Narrative: A storytelling method representing multiple scenes in one image without dividers; characters recur to define the sequence.
Horror Vacui: The fear of empty spaces prompts dense detailing throughout artworks, seen in the Ara Pacis.
Oculus: An "eye" cut-out atop a dome, allowing light into structures; notable in the Pantheon.
Vault: An arch-form roof common in large buildings; exemplified by the Flavian Amphitheater.
Additive and Subtractive Techniques:
- Additive: Involves mold creation and pouring materials.
- Subtractive: Material removal process, as seen in the Figurine of a Woman from Greece.
Culture: The collective beliefs, customs, and traditions of a group; fundamental in understanding art and its context.
In the Round: Sculpture meant for 360-degree viewing, like the Venus of Willendorf from Austria, designed to be approached from all angles.
Medium: The materials employed in art creation play a crucial role in determining artwork characteristics.
Style: Refers to the distinct characteristics from a period, culture, or individual artist influencing art creation.

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Description

Test your knowledge of fundamental concepts in art history with these flashcards from Art History 101. Explore terms like 'Hierarchy of Scale' and 'Register' with definitions and examples from various cultures. Enhance your understanding of artistic conventions and narrative depictions.