Ancient Art History PDF

BS Biology 4 - Group 1 # ART ANCIENT B @ Z ? ` b d I ; !  Profound concern for the physical and psychic condition of man Greek Art Imperialist structures and realism with a...

BS Biology 4 - Group 1 # ART ANCIENT B @ Z ? ` b d I ; !  Profound concern for the physical and psychic condition of man Greek Art Imperialist structures and realism with a deep respect for Greek style Roman Art Massive architecture coupled by icons and geometric forms Byzantine Art Biblical figures and symbolisms Christian Art Qur’anic forms Islamic Art Greek artists achieved a level of sophistication that is arguably unmatched by any other contemporary civilization in the West. Indeed, it is easy to see why ancient Greek art has been a paradigm for artists throughout the ages – with its emphasis on order, harmony, and balance, as well as a focus on celebrating and idealizing the human figure, Greek art captured a moment of beauty for all eternity. Greek Art The rationalism which permeated Greek thought is manifested in the articulate and coherent forms of Greek architecture and sculpture. The ultimate perfection of man was the objective of the educated Greek. It is also worth noting that Greek art has inspired imitations and revivals over the centuries. The ancient Romans were influenced heavily by Greek art, and in time Renaissance painters, architects, and sculptors rediscovered the glories of Greece (and Rome). Greek Art Greek forms were functional and organically devised, with a certainty of purpose impressive in retrospect. The human ideal was stated with an eloquence and sympathy unequaled throughout the history of art. Greek Art The art and architecture of Greece passed through a number of stages, developing in complexity of style: 1. Geometric Period (1000 - 750 BC) 2. Archaic Period (750 - 510 BC) 3. Transitional Period (510 - 470 BC) 4. Classical Period (470 - 338 BC) 5. Hellenistic Period (338 - 146 BC) Greek Art The Geometric Period This early period from Greek art history shows how ancient artists adorned many of their works (vase paintings in particular) with precise geometric patterns. The Geometric style evolved during an early period of Greek art history. It was a dominant artistic style in ancient Greece during the years circa 1000 BC - 750 BC. Artists who worked in this style adorned many of their works (vase paintings in particular) with precise curvilinear and rectilinear, or geometric, patterns – hence the period was dubbed “Geometric”. Greek Art The Archaic Period The Archaic period (circa 750 BC - 510 BC) was an important era of innovation and achievement in Greek art history. During this period, ancient Greek artists increasingly came into contact with ideas and styles from outside of Greece. However, it was also a time when vase painting and sculpture began to reflect Greek ideals. In the Archaic period, kouros and kore statues were created, and these stylized images of young men and maidens represent the birth of a particularly Greek artistic obsession - the idealization of the human figure. Greek Art Greek sculpture of the Archaic Period is similar to Egyptian hieratic works in its rigidity and aloofness, which lend a superhuman quality to the figures portrayed. Nude male (kouros) and semi-draped female figures (kore) are the most common subjects. Form is treated with broad, stiff planes, and the volume of the work tends to depart little from the original cubic mass of the stone from which it was sculptured. Greek Art In addition, the art of vase painting reached a level of technical and artistic excellence during the Archaic period. From the accomplished works of the master Exekias to the pure bravado of Euphronios, it is clear that Greek vase painting was perfected in the Archaic period. Greek Art The Transitional Period The Transitional Period is described as a relaxed and articulated naturalism. Typical of this period was lyrical linearity of sculpture. However, the human figure is more relaxed and shows a trend towards naturalism. The draped female form reveals the body beneath; contours are rhythmically related to one another. Greek Art The Classical Period Often referred to as the "Golden Age" of Greece, the Classical era was a time when perfection was achieved in the arts - the Parthenon was constructed during this fruitful period. The Classical Period in ancient Greece is widely regarded as one of the most accomplished and brilliant eras of artistic achievement in the West. However, this period was but a moment in terms of time, dating from circa 470 - 338 BC. In this brief but fruitful span of years, the Athenians in particular, brought the fine arts of sculpture, vase painting, & architecture to a point of near perfection. Greek Art This period was one of experimentation and manipulation of form. Articulation and movement is gracefully rendered, with the parts of the body moving subtly on varied axes. Both Myron and Phidias created works with “dynamism tempered with serenity”. Another great sculptor, Polyclitus, had works that indicate a fusion of elongated form and sensitive equilibirum. Greek Art In many respects, the city of Athens was the center of this artistic revolution. And it is in Athens that we still see powerful reminders of the genius of ancient Greek artists. Here, on what is referred to as the Acropolis, we find what is perhaps the most recognizable work of Classical Greek architecture – the Parthenon. The Parthenon was a temple dedicated to the patron goddess of Athens, Athena. Greek Art The Hellenistic Period The Hellenistic period, new ideas permeated Greek art, and emotion, drama, and realism began to influence the appearance – and subject matter – of Hellenistic sculpture. Greek Art The Hellenistic period (circa 338 - 146 BC) was a time of artistic innovation and transformation. Artists increasingly moved away from the idealization of Classical art, toward more expressive forms. Representations of both the old and young were common during the Hellenistic era, and even the ideal beauty of a goddess such as Nike was subordinated to the goal of representing drama and movement. Indeed, Hellenistic artists - especially sculptors - are perhaps best known for their fascination with expressing emotion, something rarely seen in Greek art prior to the Hellenistic period. Greek Art The art of the Hellenistic Period is characterized by virtuosity and a wide range of subject matter: everyday scenes, portraits, heroic group compositions. This phase of Greek art culminated in the orientalization of forms, reflecting the cosmopolitan quality of Hellenic society. Greek Art  Profound concern for the physical and psychic condition of man Greek Art Imperialist structures and realism with a deep respect for Greek style Roman Art Massive architecture coupled by icons and geometric forms Byzantine Art Biblical figures and symbolisms Christian Art Qur’anic forms Islamic Art  Roman imperialism manifested itself in several ways in art: civic centers (forums) and administrative buildings (basilicas) were required to house a government with vast provincial holdings; increasing cosmopolitanism accompanied by the influx of subject peoples necessitated and spectacles (coliseum and circuses). Roman Art  Temples, where a religion adopted from the Greeks was practiced, were also constructed. The classical orders of Greek architecture were also appropriated, and several Italianate orders – the composite and Tuscan – were devised. The systems of construction employing the arch and dome were perfected. Roman Art  When the Republic was founded, the term Roman art was virtually synonymous with the art of the city of Rome, which still bore the stamp of its Etruscan art; during the last two centuries, notably that of Greece, Roman art shook off its dependence on Etruscan art; during the last two centuries before Christ a distinctive Roman manner of building, sculpting, and painting emerged. Roman Art  Never-the-less, because of the extraordinary geographical extent of the Roman Empire and the number of diverse populations encompassed within its boundaries, the art and architecture of the Romans was always eclectic and is characterized by varying styles attributable to differing regional tastes and the diverse preferences of a wide range of patrons. Roman Art Roman art is not just the art of the emperors, senators, and aristocracy, but of all the peoples of Rome's vast empire, including middle- class businessmen, freedmen, slaves, and soldiers in Italy and the provinces. Roman Art  Realism pervaded Roman sculpture. Individuals were commemorated in portrait busts. Equestrian statues and life size, full-standing portraits of emperors adored the public fora. Martial deeds were documented by triumphal arches and columns embellished with marble or bronze bas- reliefs. Roman Art  The pictorial art were represented in Rome by fresco, mosaic, and encaustic (a painting technique in which hot wax mixed with the desired colors is applied to a surface). These were employed to portray subject matter pertaining to mythology, conquest, and religious rites. Roman Art At its height, Rome produced a vigorous architecture, planned and constructed numerous cities, and preserved the classical traditions of the Greeks. After a long and illustrious history, the empire underwent a gradual decline marked by economic and moral deterioration. Roman Art  The end of Roman art and the beginning of medieval art is usually said to occur with the conversion of the emperor Constantine to Christianity and the transfer of the capital of the empire from Rome to Constantinople in AD 330. Roman Art  Roman styles and even pagan Roman subjects continued, however, for centuries, often in Christian guise. Roman art is traditionally divided into two main periods, art of the Republic and art of the Roman Empire (from 27 BC on), with subdivisions corresponding to the major emperors or imperial dynasties. Roman Art  Curiously, although examples of Roman sculptures, paintings, buildings, and decorative arts survive in great numbers, few names of Roman artists and architects are recorded. Roman Art  Profound concern for the physical and psychic condition of man Greek Art Imperialist structures and realism with a deep respect for Greek style Roman Art Massive architecture coupled by icons and geometric forms Byzantine Art Biblical figures and symbolisms Christian Art Qur’anic forms Islamic Art  Byzantine Art is the art of the Eastern Roman Empire and of its capital Byzantium, or Constantinople. It is an art form with obvious Christian influences. It was equally influenced by classical art and by Eastern inclination to allegory. One distinguishing characteristic of Constantinople, however, that it was able to maintain a more uniform classical tradition in the face of manifold Oriental influences. Byzantine Art  At the time of Constantine, There developed in the Byzantine art more and more of an individual character that was distinguishable from the art of the Western or Roman Empire. Beginning with the seventh century, the contrast between the art of the Eastern Empire and that of the Western grew more marked, and Byzantine art underwent a change. Byzantine Art  It rose to great splendor under the Macedonian emperors (867 – 1056 AD), then declined up to 1453, and has since existed in the East in a petrified form, so to speak, up to the present time. Byzantine Art  The introduction of Eastern court ceremonial by Constantine was accompanied in the domain of art by the appearances of extraordinary gorgeousness and pomp, expressed, however, with stiffness and formality. The power and pride of the new empire offered the means for great undertakings and gave the impulse to them. Byzantine Art  The Proconnesian Marble, found in the vicinity of the capital, and the stone obtained from other rich quarries provided the material, and, long before this era, the art of working in stone had reached a high state of development, especially in Asia Minor. Byzantine Art In Constantinople there flourished, along with the art of decorative sculpture, the arts of stone-carving, of working in metal and ivory, of ornamental bronze work, of enamelling, of weaving, and the art of miniature- painting. Byzantine Art  From classical Christian art, Byzantine genius derived a correct combination of the ideal with truth to nature, harmonious unity along with precision in details, as well as the fondness for mosaics, frescoes, and pictures on panels called icons, in opposition to the dislike of non-Christian and sectarian Orientals to pictorial representation. Byzantine Art  Most impressive was the influence of the Byzantine style on architecture. As to the other arts only a few examples may be given. A notable structure was the Hagia Sophia (Church of Wisdom): adorned in the 6th century with a splendor worthy of Solomon. Byzantine Art  A typical Byzantine church would include the following features: Interiors sumptuously decorated with mosaics upon a golden background; Walls ornamented with designs of grape-vines with golden leaves; Pictures of animals decorated the walls; Medallions of Christ, the Blessed Virgin and saints (ICONOSTASIS); Altars of gold inlaid with precious stones, and covered by ornate altar-cloth Byzantine Art  Byzantine art was influenced by Oriental cultures. It lent the constantly increasing dislike for sculpture in the round, and the preference for the flat ornamentation in architecture. Byzantine Art  To the same Oriental influence may be attributed the taste for costly and colored stones and fabrics, for gold, and enamel. For example, in the treasury of San Marco may be seen Byzantine reliquaries, ivory, chalices, fabrics, and pictorial art. Taken altogether they show how a church of the 11th century was transformed into a veritable treasure-house. Byzantine Art  Byzantine Mosaic Byzantine achievements in mosaic decoration brought this art to an unprecedented level of monumentality and expressive power. Mosaics were applied to the domes, half-domes, and other available surfaces of Byzantine churches. Byzantine Art  The center of the dome was for the representation of the Pantocrator, or Jesus as the ruler of the universe, whereas other sacred personages occupied lower spaces. The entire church thus served as a portrait of the celestial order; this idea was further enhanced by the stylized poses and gestures of the figures, their hieratic gaze, and the luminous shimmer of the gold backgrounds. Byzantine Art Byzantine Painting An important aspect of Byzantine artistic activity was the painting of stereotyped devotional panels, since the cult of icons played a leading part in both religious and secular life. Icon painting usually employed encaustic techniques. Byzantine Art  Profound concern for the physical and psychic condition of man Greek Art Imperialist structures and realism with a deep respect for Greek style Roman Art Massive architecture coupled by icons and geometric forms Byzantine Art Biblical figures and symbolisms Christian Art Qur’anic forms Islamic Art  The early Christians were tolerated by the Romans until their growing strength was felt to be a threat to the state. Persecution drove them into the catacombs where they devised art forms based on classical models. Christian Art  It seems also possible that some of the art of the Christian Church can be found in the decorations of gold on glass which have been discovered in the catacombs. Christian Art  Upon glasses dating from the 3rd to the 5th century, are found representations of Christ and of the Apostles, as well as drawings in gold-leaf, partly symbolic and realistic, referring to Miracles, the emblems of the Seven Spirits, a future life, and the events in the New Testament. Christian Art  Themes from the Old and New Testament served as subject matter for early Christian artists. Symbolism abstracted from Biblical texts and adapted from earlier religions dictated an imagery which was conceptual in form. Christian Art Didacticism was a strong feature of Christian art through the Gothic period. It was prevalent and was used to instruct the illiterate converts to the new religion. Christian Art  In 313 AD, the Edict of Milan recognized the Christian faith as one of the official religions of the Roman state. The Church appropriated the general form of the Roman civil basilica, modifying the structure to accommodate a congregation. Columns and decorations were stripped by Christian builders. Christian Art  Christian paintings were impressionistic in style, resembling the Hellenistic period. Orants, or religious figures, and vine tendrils, oriental in their sinuous linearity, decorated the vaulted ceilings of the underground tombs. The “Good Shepherd” theme appeared frequently in semi-naturalistic mosaic and sculpture. Christian Art  The first 4 centuries of Christian art in the West constitute a period of transition from awkward works to a style expressive of religious needs and peculiarly Christian in ideology and symbolism. This period marks the beginning of long era in which art supported the Church and synthesized form and Christian imagery. Christian Art  From the very earliest period the Church employed skilful workers in mosaic to decorate the basilicas, and to portray the emblems of the Divine tragedy, of the Sufferings of Christ and of His saints, or to show the figures of Christ in his glory, so that the scenes might be well in sight of worshippers in little churches. Christian Art The metal work executed was often work commissioned by the Church for use in the ceremonials of the service, and figures of Christ and of the saints, ornaments for copes, chasses in which to put relics, and vessels for use at the altar, belonging to this period are the direct result of the teaching of the Church. Christian Art  As the religious feeling, spread more and more, the desire arose among Christians to have artistic representations of great events of the Faith in houses, and it is possible that portable pictorial work started this way. Christian Art  Symbols in Christian art include the following: the Aureole, the Alpha & Omega, the Three Circles of the Blessed Trinity, the Dove, the Eye or Hand, Fire, Flowers, Fish, Man, Lion, and Ox. Christian Art  Profound concern for the physical and psychic condition of man Greek Art Imperialist structures and realism with a deep respect for Greek style Roman Art Massive architecture coupled by icons and geometric forms Byzantine Art Biblical figures and symbolisms Christian Art Qur’anic forms Islamic Art  While the Islamic period has a fixed starting date, signaled by the emigration of the Prophet Muhammad and his followers from Mecca to Medina in 622 AD, the birth of Islamic art is far more difficult to single out. Instead, we can consider its genesis during the first century of Islamic rule. Islamic Art It seems likely that the art of the preceding period persisted for a time, as artists who had lately worked under Byzantine patronage initially continued to follow preexisting conventions, but under Muslim patronage. It is therefore difficult at times to distinguish between early Islamic and pre-Islamic art. Islamic Art  Characteristic of this transitional period is a stucco relief plaque, depicting a king hunting on horseback, from a small palace in northern Iran, datable to the end of the 7th or the 1st half of the 8th century. The technique (the relief decoration was produced in a mold) and style (the rigidity of the figures despite their implied movement) belong to the tradition of Middle Eastern art. Islamic Art  The assimilation and imaginative adaptation of pre-Islamic decorative themes and motifs – as well as techniques, styles, and forms – characterizes much of the art of early Islamic times. Glass from this period demonstrates the use of late Roman techniques and forms adapted and transformed to suit a new taste or to meet new needs. Islamic Art  Gradually, as the Muslim faith and the nascent Islamic state became more established, a uniquely Islamic art began to emerge. Islamic Art The revelation of the Qur’an and its codification in written form changed the dev’t of Arabic writing and book production in the 1st century of the Muslim era. Although several styles of writing were practiced in the 7th and 8th centuries, by the 9th century so-called Kufic had replaced these in the production of Qur'ans. Named after the city al-Kufa, it is a rectilinear script, written, like all Arabic scripts, from right to left. Islamic Art  Parchment, which is made from cured and scraped animal skin, was the preferred material for early Islamic and early medieval Qur'ans. Islamic Art Of the many diverse arts that flourished in the early Islamic period, textiles played an especially significant role in society, one that continued in subsequent periods. Textiles were ubiquitous in Islamic lands, serving as clothing, household furnishings, and portable architecture (tents). Islamic Art  Often made with costly materials such as silk, and gold and silver-wrapped thread and decorated with complex designs, textiles were luxury goods signifying wealth and social status. Islamic textiles were also widely exported to the West, where their prominence is underscored by their impact on European languages. For example, the English words “cotton” and “mohair,” and “taffeta” derive from Arabic and Persian. Islamic Art The art of pottery was greatly advanced in the ninth century with the development of the technique of luster painting. Luster painting is a spectacular means of decorating pottery, perhaps in imitation of precious metal. Islamic Art  This technique combines silver and copper oxides with sulfur and other materials, which are applied in liquefied form to the surface of a previously glazed and fired object. The ware is then re- fired in a muffled, or reducing, kiln, so that the oxygen is drawn out from the metal oxides, producing a dazzling metallic surface. Lusterware can vary in color from a rich gold to a deep reddish brown. Islamic Art  One of the most important arts of the ninth century is architectural ornament, rendered in stucco, wood, or stone. Decorated in the beveled style, the panel depicts stylized leaves that have been transformed into abstract motifs. As is typical of this style, it is impossible to distinguish between background and foreground or between natural and abstract forms. Islamic Art  The art of pre-Islamic Iran had a particularly strong impact on the development of early Islamic metalwork, in which traditional forms and techniques were carried on. Gilded silver was a favorite material, and such precious metals also seem to have been used in the production of luxury wares in early Islamic Iran, based on evidence from historical and literary texts. Islamic Art  Animal forms are frequently employed in the design of utilitarian objects in Islamic art, not only in metalwork but in pottery and glass as well. Islamic Art  Profound concern for the physical and psychic condition of man Greek Art Imperialist structures and realism with a deep respect for Greek style Roman Art Massive architecture coupled by icons and geometric forms Byzantine Art Biblical figures and symbolisms Christian Art Qur’anic forms Islamic Art ANCIENT ART Shannon Alvior Ivy Grace Bacolod Loudalee Belnas Joanna Marie Fregil Shera Katrina Jinon Frances Jade Leuterio giselle Sabolbora Chino Tan Kristoffer Uytiepo Dedric Yulo A person who can understand this is smart. ANCIENT ART Shannon Alvior Ivy Grace Bacolod Loudalee Belnas Joanna Marie Fregil Shera Katrina Jinon Frances Jade Leuterio Giselle Sabolbora Chino Tan Kristoffer Uytiepo Dedric Yulo A person who can understand this is smart. ANCIENT ART Shannon Alvior Ivy Grace Bacolod Loudalee Belnas Joanna Marie Fregil Shera Katrina Jinon Frances Jade Leuterio giselle Sabolbora Chino Tan Kristoffer Uytiepo Dedric Yulo A person who can understand this is smart. # Back to START