Art History 101 Midterm Flashcards

Questions and Answers

What is the oldest figurative art found in Sulawesi, Indonesia?

Wall painting with horses and rhinoceroses

Wall-painting with babirusa and hand-stencils (correct)

Woman (Venus) of Willendorf

Lion-Human

What does the wall painting in Chauvet Cave depict?

Animals interacting with each other, particularly predatory animals.

The Lion-Human carving from Hohlenstein-Stadel, Germany, is the oldest anthropomorphic animal carving, made from ______.

Mammoth ivory

What does the Woman (Venus) of Willendorf symbolize?

Fertility Signup and view all the answers

What were the religious purposes of the White Temple and ziggurat in Uruk?

Served as a religious structure and was the highest building in Uruk. Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the 'Warka Head' from Uruk?

One of the earliest depictions of the human face. Signup and view all the answers

Who is possibly depicted by the head of an Akkadian ruler from Nineveh?

Sargon of Akkad Signup and view all the answers

The stele of Hammurabi depicts Hammurabi receiving the code of law from the god Shamash.

True Signup and view all the answers

What does Ashurbanipal hunting lions relief demonstrate?

The power of one of the great Assyrian kings through recreational hunting. Signup and view all the answers

What role did the Palette of King Narmer play?

It commemorates the unification of Upper and Lower Egypt. Signup and view all the answers

What does the statue of Khafre enthroned symbolize?

Idealized form and power of the pharaoh. Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the Seated Scribe sculpture?

Rare example of Egyptian naturalism depicting a regular person. Signup and view all the answers

What does the relief of Ti watching the hippopotamus hunt illustrate?

The difference in apparel and detail between lower class servants and higher class officials. Signup and view all the answers

What does the head of Senusret III portray?

Characteristic facial features indicating a hard-working and somber king. Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes the temple of Amun-Re in Karnak?

It has different pylons and a sacred room dedicated to the god Amun-Re. Signup and view all the answers

What does Hatshepsut's depiction as pharaoh convey?

She is presented in an idealized form similar to male pharaohs. Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes the representation of Akhenaton?

Boldness in design with exaggerated features. Signup and view all the answers

What style is the figurine of a woman from Cyclades representative of?

Aegean, Cycladic geometric statues. Signup and view all the answers

What cultural significance does the bull-leaping fresco hold?

Demonstrates an ancient tradition and features typical of Minoan culture. Signup and view all the answers

What does the octopus jar from Crete illustrate?

Minoan interaction with the sea. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Ancient Art and Culture

Wall-painting featuring babirusa and hand-stencils from Sulawesi, Indonesia (c. 40,000 B.C.E) represents the world's oldest figurative art from Sulawesi Culture.
Chauvet Cave in France (c. 30,000-28,000 BCE) showcases wall paintings of interacting animals such as horses and rhinoceroses, emphasizing predatory dynamics.

Significant Artifacts and Sculptures

Lion-Human sculpture from Hohlenstein-Stadel, Germany (c. 40,000 BCE) carved from mammoth ivory is the oldest known anthropomorphic animal carving, believed to have totemic significance.
The Woman (Venus) of Willendorf (c. 24,000 BCE) is a limestone figurine symbolizing fertility with exaggerated features and no facial detailing.

Architectural Marvels

Stonehenge in England (c. 2550-1600 BCE) is a prehistoric monument known for its enigmatic stone circle.
The White Temple and ziggurat in Uruk, Iraq (c. 3,300-3,000 BCE) served religious functions and represented the highest architectural achievement in Sumerian culture.

Notable Mesopotamian Works

The Warka Head from Uruk (c. 3300-3000 BCE) is one of the earliest representations of a human face, reflecting Sumerian artistry with religious connotations.
The Head of an Akkadian ruler, possibly Sargon of Akkad (c. 2250-2200 BCE), demonstrates the unification of Sumer and other kingdoms, crafted from copper.

Historical Art and Law

Hammurabi and Shamash relief depicts King Hammurabi receiving the code of law from Shamash, dated around 1780 BCE in Susa, Iran; a significant Babylonian artifact.
Ashurbanipal hunting lions relief (c. 645-640 BCE) portrays the power of Assyrian kings through recreational lion hunting.

Egyptian Art and Iconography

Palette of King Narmer commemorates the unification of Upper and Lower Egypt (c. 3000-2920 BCE), indicating early use of hieroglyphics.
Khafre enthroned (c. 2520-2494 BCE) exemplifies pharaonic idealism with symbols like the fake beard and royal linen in diorite.

Depictions of Society and Leadership

Seated Scribe from Saqqara (c. 2450-2325 BCE) reflects Egyptian naturalism and portrays an ordinary person.
Ti observing a hippopotamus hunt relief (c. 2450-2350 BCE) illustrates social stratification and the importance of appearance in Egyptian artistry.

Pharaohs and Their Portrayals

Head of Senusret III (c. 1938-1755 BCE) captures the somber characteristics of a ruler during a tumultuous time, painted in yellow quartzite.
Hatshepsut enthroned (18th Dynasty) is the first female pharaoh of Egypt, presented in a manner similar to male counterparts, emphasizing gender roles in leadership.

Shift in Artistic Styles

Akhenaton's representation (c. 1353-1335 BCE) breaks from traditional forms with exaggerated features reflecting a new artistic movement in New Kingdom art.
Cycladic figurines, such as the woman statue (ca. 2500-2300 BCE), embody the geometric aesthetics typical of Aegean culture.

Aegean and Minoan Art

Bull-leaping fresco from Knossos, Crete (c. 1450-1400 BCE), demonstrates Minoan tradition, characterized by dynamic poses and detailed representation of movement.
The Octopus jar (ca. 1500 BCE) is a ceramic piece reflecting Minoan maritime culture through freeform artistic expression.

Architectural Landmarks

The Lion Gate in Mycenae (c. 1300-1250 BCE) showcases the monumental architecture of the Mycenaean civilization, featuring iconic sculptural elements.

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Description

Test your knowledge with these flashcards on the earliest forms of figurative art from different cultures. Explore significant wall paintings and sculptures, including works from Sulawesi and Chauvet Cave. Enhance your understanding of ancient artistic expressions with these study aids.