Art Principles: Balance and Composition

Balance

• Objects and their placement create stability
• Symmetrical balance: exact mirrored appearances across an axis
• Asymmetrical balance: objects don't mirror perfectly, shifting balance to one side
• Radial balance: objects distribute around a central point

Proportion

• Object sizes in relation to each other or the whole artwork

Emphasis

• Use of contrast, placement, size, colour, etc to highlight specific areas

Focal Point

• The area that draws the viewer's attention

Variety

• The sense of difference between elements of an artwork, adds interest and emotion

Harmony

• Use of related elements, creates connection and flow

Movement

• Indicates the direction your eyes move through the artwork

Rhythm

• Regular, evenly distributed elements at various intervals

Scale

• Object size in relation to what's expected in reality
• Diminutive: smaller than expected
• Monumental: much larger than expected

Unity

• Overall cohesion of the work, strengthened by grouping and similar objects

Repetition

• Recurrence of shapes, colours, or elements across the artwork, creates a sense of security

Stone Age

• Period in human history focused on tools made from stone, associated with early human societies

Fire

• A source of heat and light used for survival

Paleolithic

• The Old Stone Age, hunter-gatherer societies

Mesolithic

• The middle period of the Stone Age, transition from nomadic to settled communities

Neolithic

• The New Stone Age, development of agriculture and permanent settlements

Archaeology

• Studies human history and prehistory through excavating sites and analyzing artifacts

Art

• Creative expression reflecting cultural beliefs and practices

Nomads

• People who move from place to place, don't settle permanently

Settlers

• Individuals or groups who establish a permanent residence

Religious Symbols

• Images or objects that represent spiritual beliefs and practices

Halls of Bulls

• Famous cave paintings in Lascaux, France, depicting bulls and other animals

Venus of Willendorf

• Small statuette representing a female figure, associated with fertility and reproduction

Agriculture

• Cultivating land and raising crops, began in the Neolithic period

Caves

• Natural underground spaces used for shelter and artistic expression

Schematic Art

• Abstract forms, lacks realistic representation

Fertility

• Ability to conceive and bear children, often symbolized in ancient art

Permanent Shelters

• Stable living structures built as people transitioned to settled lifestyles

Survival Tools

• Instruments and devices created to aid daily living and survival

Climate Change

• Long-term alterations in temperature and weather, influenced early human migrations

Natural Habitats

• Environments where animals and plants live, often shown in ancient art

Bronze

• Alloy of copper and tin, significant in the development of tools and weapons

Pottery

• Ceramic ware made by shaping and firing clay

Mother Goddess

• Deity representing motherhood, fertility, and the earth, often worshipped in ancient cultures

Stonehenge

• Prehistoric monument in England, ring of standing stones, purpose unknown

Mystery

• Something difficult or impossible to understand

Temple

• Building dedicated to worship, especially in ancient religions

Calendar

• System for organizing days and months, often based on astronomical observations

Merlin

• Legendary figure associated with King Arthur, often portrayed as a wizard

Egyptian Art

• Art produced in ancient Egypt, characterized by its religious themes and stylized forms

Pharaoh

• The title of the rulers of ancient Egypt, they were both political and religious leaders

Afterlife

• Belief in a continuation of existence after death, often involving a spiritual realm

Mummification

• The preservation of a body after death, commonly practiced in ancient Egypt

Sculpture

• Three-dimensional artwork, shaped materials like stone, metal, or clay

Law of Frontality

• Artistic convention in ancient Egyptian sculpture, figures look forward

Pyramids

• Monumental structures built as tombs for pharaohs, meant to last forever

Old Kingdom

• Period of strong centralized power and pyramid building

Middle Kingdom

• Period of growth in art, literature, and political stability

New Kingdom

• Period of territorial expansion and impressive architecture

Burial

• Placing the dead in a grave or tomb, often with possessions

Art Techniques

• Methods used to create artwork, vary over time

Spiritual Themes

• Common subjects related to religious beliefs and the divine.

Importance Indicator

• Size of a figure in a sculpture reflects status or importance

Cut Stone Blocks

• Large pieces of stone used for construction

Everyday Objects

• Items used in daily life, often included in tombs for the afterlife

Great Pyramid

• Monumental tomb in Giza, Egypt, built around 2600 BCE

Hierarchic Proportions

• Most important figure is depicted as the largest

Descriptive Perspective

• Shows different views of the body in Egyptian paintings

Cartouches

• Oblong enclosures with hieroglyphs, denote names on mummies

Hieroglyphs

• Ancient Egyptian writing system, combining symbols and pictures

Sarcophagus

• Container for the deceased body, typically used for the wealthy

King Narmer

• Significant figure in Egyptian history, unified Upper and Lower Egypt

Naturalism

• Emphasizes realistic and true-to-life features

Queen Nefertiti

• Queen known for beauty, depicted with elongated features

Limestone

• Primary material used in the construction of the Great Pyramid

Daily Activities

• Scenes in tomb paintings that illustrate the life of the deceased

Oblong Enclosure

• Shape of cartouches used in Egyptian writing to enclose names

Vertical Writing

• Orientation of hieroglyphs in cartouches, read from top to bottom

Pharaohs

• Rulers of ancient Egypt, often buried in pyramids

Bust

• Sculpted representation of a person's head, shoulders, and upper chest

Thick-lidded Eyes

• Characteristic feature in Egyptian art to show realism

Architectural Wonders

• Remarkable constructions like pyramids from ancient civilizations

Resting Places

• Tombs designed for the deceased, particularly pharaohs

King Tutankhamen

• Pharaoh who became king at a young age and died at eighteen

Howard Carter

• Archaeologist who discovered King Tutankhamen's tomb in 1922

Tomb Discovery

• The finding of King Tutankhamen's burial site, included gold artworks and a solid gold coffin

Gold Mask

• Funerary mask made of gold that covered King Tutankhamen's body

Age of Death

• King Tutankhamen died at the age of eighteen

Burial Wrappings

• King Tutankhamen's body was covered in linen

Artifacts

• Treasures found in King Tutankhamen's tomb, including gold artworks

Explore the fundamental principles of art composition, including balance, proportion, emphasis, and unity. This quiz covers symmetrical, asymmetrical, and radial balance alongside the importance of focal points and rhythm in creating engaging artwork. Test your knowledge on how these elements work together to enhance artistic expression.