Maia Lafortezza Flashcards and Quiz for Study Success

Study Notes

Prehistoric Art

Venus of Willendorf (28,000-25,000 BCE): A female figure symbolizing fertility, indicating time devoted to sculpture-making.
Hall of Bulls (15,000 BCE): Lascaux caves artwork depicting various animals including horses, deer, and woolly rhinos.
Bird Headed Man (c. 15,000 BCE): Earliest representation of a human form found in Lascaux Caves.
Composite View: Artistic representation showing multiple angles in a single image.

Mesopotamian Art

Standard of Ur (2,600-2,400 BCE): Features war and peace sides, found in Ur, southern Iraq, showcasing composite view.
Sculpture in the Round: Statues like votive statues from Eshnunna (2700 BCE) primarily made of gypsum.
Palette of King Narmer (3,000 BCE): Depicts the conquering of Egypt, featuring Horus as a falcon.
Royal Cemetery of Ur: Excavated by Leonard Woolley, notable for Queen Puabi's grave and containing 1,800 shaft graves.

Egyptian Art

Pyramids: The Great Pyramids include Khufu (largest), Khafre, and Menkaure (smallest); vital structures from the Old Kingdom.
Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut (c. 1473-1458 BCE): Located in Deir el-Bahri, Egypt, significant for its architectural design.
Fowling Scene: From the tomb of Nebamun (c. 1400-1350 BCE) in Thebes, illustrating naturalistic representation in the New Kingdom.
The Great Sphinx (2520-2429 BCE): Constructed from diorite with Horus depicted on its shoulder.

Architectural Innovations

Mastaba: Simple flat-roofed tomb structures, a precursor to pyramids.
Stepped Pyramid of Djoser (c. 2630-2611 BCE): Early pyramid design in Saqqara, attributed to designer Imhotep.
Ziggurat of Nanna (c. 2,100 BCE): Constructed from mud brick in Ur, Iraq, exemplifying religious architecture.
Post and Lintel Construction: Basic architectural method involving two vertical posts and a horizontal lintel.

Classical Art

Doryphoros (c. 450-440 BCE): Spear bearer statue by Polykleitos, noted for naturalism and use of contrapposto.
Parthenon (c. 447-430 BCE): High Classical building in Athens, known for its sculptural decorations depicting battle scenes.
Temple of Aphaia (c. 500-490 BCE): Greek temple exemplifying early classical architecture with distinct features like the stylobate and peristyle.
Erechtheion: Non-rectangular temple on the Acropolis, showcasing complex architectural design.

Iconography and Significance

Hierarchy of Scale: Depicts more important figures in larger sizes, often utilized in royal artwork.
Idealism: In art, emphasizes forms as they should be instead of their reality, exemplified in statues like Menkaure and Khafre.
Ka: Represents the eternal spirit in Egyptian belief, reflecting the importance of the afterlife in art.
Cuneiform: Early writing system discovered on clay tablets in Mesopotamia, marking the advent of bureaucracy.

Noteworthy Figures

Akhenaton: Pharaoh associated with the Amarna period, known for his unique artistic style and changes in religious practices.
Hatshepsut: One of the few female pharaohs, noted for her contributions to temple building and trade expeditions.
Queen Puabi: A prominent figure in the Royal Cemetery of Ur, indicated by lavish burial items including lapis lazuli and cuneiform inscriptions.

Artistic Techniques

Relief Carving: Art technique involving carved designs on rock surfaces, prominent in Egyptian tombs.
Corbelling: Construction technique used to create arch-like structures without the use of mortar, seen in ancient tomb designs.
Fresco Secco: Dry-plaster painting technique used in tombs, allowing vibrant colors and durability over time.

Minoan and Mycenaean Art

Palace Complex at Knossos (c. 1700-1370 BCE): Minoan site showcasing advanced architectural techniques, discovered by Arthur Evans.
Bull-Leaping Frescoes: Depictions of ceremonial bull leaping, illustrating the significance of bulls in Minoan culture.
Cyclopean Masonry: Ancient construction style using massive stones without mortar, commonly associated with Mycenaean architecture.

Cultural Themes

Art of Power: Art serves as a medium for expressing political and spiritual power across various cultures.
Art of the Afterlife: Examines how art reflects beliefs about the afterlife and the spiritual journey post-mortem.
Spiritual Significance: Many cultures believe art houses living spirits or powers, imbuing objects with deeper meaning.

Description

Test your knowledge on significant prehistoric and ancient art with these flashcards. Covering iconic artifacts like the Venus of Willendorf and the Standard of Ur, this quiz explores their historical context and artistic details. Perfect for students and enthusiasts of art history.