Art History Chapter 2 Flashcards

Study Notes

Hierarchical Scale

Technique in art depicting relative importance through unnatural proportions or scales.
Commonly used in paintings and sculptures to emphasize key figures.

Cuneiform

Writing system with triangular or wedge-shaped characters.
Utilized by ancient civilizations such as Akkadians, Assyrians, Babylonians, and Persians.

Stele

An upright stone slab or pillar featuring inscriptions or designs.
Functions as a monument or marker, often commemorating significant events or individuals.

Ziggurat

A Sumerian-origin temple resembling a pyramidal tower.
Composed of several stories with a broad, winding ascent, creating a terraced appearance.

Registers

Horizontal levels arranged one above the other in a composition.
Clearly separated by lines, often used to organize scenes or narratives in art.

Votive Figures

Small figures carved in materials like gypsum or limestone.
Typically offered in religious contexts to represent worship or devotion.

Conventions

Accepted methods of representation in art, whether formal or symbolic.
Help establish recognizable styles and themes within various artistic traditions.

Cylinder Seals

Small cylindrical stones engraved in intaglio to create impressions in wet clay.
Used for marking property and were often a sign of authority and ownership.

Lost-Wax Casting

A metal casting process known as cire-perdue.
Involves creating a wax model, which is then melted away to form a mold for molten metal.

Lamassu

Mythical creature with a bull's body and a human head.
Sometimes features the wings of an eagle, symbolizing power and protection.

Mudbrick

Construction material made from a mixture of mud, water, and straw.
Dried in sunlight, commonly used in ancient architecture for building structures.

Lapis Lazuli

A deep-blue gemstone consisting mainly of lazurite.
Valued for use in jewelry and as a pigment, associated with luxury and wealth.

Diorite

A hard black stone used for carving royal sculptures.
Known for its durability and the prestige associated with the material in ancient art.

Description

Test your knowledge of key terms and concepts from Art History Chapter 2. This quiz covers essential vocabulary like hierarchy of scale and cuneiform, helping you understand their significance in art and historical writing practices. Perfect for students looking to reinforce their learning.