Paleolithic and Neolithic Art

Early forms of art, including cave paintings and engraved ochre pieces, found in prehistoric archaeological sites.

Art from the New Stone Age, often featuring clay storage pots and abstract designs, reflecting agricultural societies' needs.

Early stage of the Stone Age, characterized by hunting and gathering societies and the creation of cave art.

The New Stone Age, marked by the development of agriculture and settled communities.

Images scratched or carved onto stone surfaces.

Images painted on cave walls, depicting animals and possibly symbolic figures.

Shift from hunting and gathering to farming, leading to settled communities and impacting art.

Paleolithic figurine; a famous example of prehistoric art. It is thought to signify fertility.

Stonehenge was likely an important funerary site, potentially linked to astronomical alignments, specifically a northernmost midwinter moonrise.

Stonehenge's structure includes a ring of posts and lintels (horizontal supports).

Mesopotamia was located in present-day Iraq.

Mesopotamian civilization was the first to develop writing.

Greek art and culture aimed to create the ideal human form and individual.

Greek kouros statues honored individuals' achievements and/or deities.

The Parthenon was dedicated to the Greek goddess Athena Parthenos.

The Parthenon's sculptures celebrated the Greek victory over the Persians.

Hellenistic art, unlike Classical art, focused on emotion and expression instead of idealized beauty. Figures were more realistic, and scenes depicted active, dynamic moments.

The Laocoön Group, a sculpture from the Hellenistic period, shows exaggerated expressions, movements, and individualized figures, reflecting Hellenistic artistic style.

Roman art often served practical purposes, showcasing public works or conveying imperial power or history.

The Roman innovation of the rounded arch profoundly influenced later Western architecture.

The Bust of Emperor Vespasian is a portrait, showcasing individualized features rather than the idealization of Greek art.

The exterior of the Colosseum displays round arches, a key Roman architectural element.

The Pantheon, unlike Greek temples, was designed for indoor religious use, featuring a circular interior.

The Pantheon's coffered dome is symbolic of order and reason.

A cultural movement emphasizing human value and secular pursuits.

A technique that creates the illusion of depth and space on a flat surface.

A pose where a figure's weight is shifted onto one leg, creating a natural S-curve.

A period in art history characterized by clarity, balance, and idealized forms.

The use of strong contrasts between light and dark to create depth and volume.

The nude symbolized human worth and divine perfection, reflecting a renewed focus on the human form.

Humanism emphasized the individual and their potential, leading to more realistic and detailed portrayals of people.

Leonardo da Vinci's 'The Last Supper' illustrates the use of perspective and compression of space, key elements of the High Renaissance.

The Kandarya Mahadeva Temple expresses spiritual unity with the divine through the emphasis on sacred forms, stories of religious journeys, and the energy of natural elements, rather than erotic scenes.

The Kandarya Mahadeva Temple reflects Hindu religious beliefs and practices.

Early Southeast Asian art and architecture were primarily influenced by Hinduism.

The influence of Buddhism and Hinduism spread after 800 BCE due to trade routes and the activities of merchants.

The combination of Buddhist and Hindu iconography is evident in Angkor Wat, a complex of temples in Cambodia.

The towers at Angkor Wat symbolize the sacred world mountain, representing a connection to the divine.

Confucianism, Daoism, and Buddhism have influenced art and culture in China.

Islamic culture adapted earlier artistic traditions, embracing diverse cultural influences due to its tolerance of different religions and cultures.

Calligraphy is the artform most highly regarded in Islamic culture for its ability to elevate the word of God.

Arabic calligraphy effectively blends with geometric and floral design motifs.

Terracotta is a type of earthenware that is characterized by its reddish color.

The male figure from the Nok culture was created using modeling, a technique where clay is shaped by hand.

The male portrait head from Ife reflects the Ife tradition of creating art for the court, indicating its importance for royalty and power.

The male portrait head from Ife is different from the Nok figure because it is naturalistic, meaning it realistically depicts human features.

Olembe Alaye's house post demonstrates the Yoruba people's practice of wood carving, a crucial part of their artistic expression.

The headdresses worn by the Bamana people of Mali feature figures of antelopes called chi wara, believed to possess spiritual power.