Art History 1301 Flashcards

Study Notes

Relief (High/Low/Sunken)

Relief sculpture displays varying levels of depth: high relief shows over 50% depth, low relief has minimal depth, and sunk relief is primarily an Ancient Egyptian technique.
Undercut areas are common in high relief, enhancing three-dimensionality.

Post-and-Lintel Construction

A structural system utilizing vertical posts to support horizontal lintels, allowing for wide-open spaces beneath.
Horizontal members may also be referred to as beams or architraves, while vertical elements can be called columns or pillars.

Trilithon

A megalithic structure comprising two vertical stones topped by a horizontal lintel.
Prominent examples include Stonehenge in England and the Megalithic temples of Malta, both recognized as UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Cuneiform

One of humanity's earliest writing systems, developed by the Sumerians.
Characterized by wedge-shaped marks on clay tablets, produced with a blunt reed stylus.

Ziggurat

Ancient structures built by various Mesopotamian cultures such as the Sumerians and Babylonians, serving religious purposes.
Typically included a temple complex, with ziggurats starting as raised platforms and evolving into stepped designs, constructed from sun-baked bricks with glazed facings.

Hieratic Scale

A method of depicting importance through size in artwork, where more significant figures are rendered larger.
Commonly seen in religious art, this scale reflects societal hierarchies even in children's drawings.

Papyrus

An ancient writing material made from the pith of the papyrus plant, used as a surface for scripts and scrolls.
Originating in Egypt, this versatile material was also utilized for constructing other items like boats, mats, and baskets.

Hieroglyph

Characters from the ancient Egyptian writing system, which are primarily logographic and pictographic.
Exclusively read by the educated elite, with simpler versions like demotic and hieratic used by the general populace.

Mastaba

A type of ancient Egyptian tomb characterized by its flat roof and rectangular shape, featuring inward-sloping sides.
Served as the burial structure for prominent individuals in the Early Dynastic Period and Old Kingdom, preceding the construction of pyramids.

Description

Explore key concepts in Art History through these flashcards. This quiz covers various terms, including relief types and architectural structures, essential for understanding art evolution and practices. Perfect for students aiming to strengthen their knowledge in Art History 1301.