Western Art History PDF

THE WESTERN ART HISTORY ‘ART HISTORY LOOKS AT ART WORKS AND THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE CREATED THEM” Learning outcomes At the end of Describe the this chapter, Discuss the history of Art the student...

THE WESTERN ART HISTORY ‘ART HISTORY LOOKS AT ART WORKS AND THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE CREATED THEM” Learning outcomes At the end of Describe the this chapter, Discuss the history of Art the student Medieval arts in Prehistoric should be able in Europe; Civilization; to: Analyze the Identify the most common famous artists Paintings in in Western Classical Europe; and Greek. What is your perception on the picture? What is your perception on the picture? These types of paintings often depict simple figures, animals, and human shapes, which were created by early humans as a means of expression or communication. The image illustrates an animal figures—possibly elephants or other large animals—alongside human stick figures or hunting material. Such paintings were not only artistic expressions but also carried significant cultural or ritual meaning. They may represent scenes of hunting, daily life, or spiritual beliefs of ancient human societies. These visual records offer archaeologists and historians insights into the lifestyle, environment, and worldview of prehistoric peoples.   Historically speaking, the human instinct to create art is universal.  Art is an approach of a human being to communicate his/her beliefs and express ideas about his/her experiences. It also provides valuable insight into the past and existing cultures. THE  It helps us to understand how other have lived and what they valued (Annenberg WESTERN foundation, 2017).  The history of art reflects the remnant of ART HISTORY civilization, the study of artworks, and the lives of artists illuminate much about our shared past. It helps us to discover, who made a particular art object (Meyer, 2009).  It also helped us to appreciate the stylistic and recognized development of artistic practices on a large scale and within a broad historical viewpoint.  The history of art also covers the entre history of humankind since prehistoric times.  Art is a product of man’s emotional and intellectual connection with the world. It also aimed to produce a message which will either provoke an unexplainable consciousness within the hearts of its viewers or incite wisdom among inquisitive minds.  Leroi-Gourhan 1967 list three primary domains of expression of feeling associated to the first periods of humanity that may add to our understanding of the beginning of art such as: 1. Psychophysiological impressions - These refer to the physical and emotional reactions that early humans may have experienced, possibly linked to their perception of their surroundings, their bodies, and their social interactions. 2. Magic-religious - This domain reflects the spiritual or mystical beliefs that likely influenced early artistic expressions. Art may have been intertwined with rituals, supernatural beliefs, or efforts to connect with forces beyond the tangible world. 3. Techno-economic - This aspect involves the practical and utilitarian functions of early art, potentially related to the tools and techniques available, as well as the economic activities of early human societies (e.g., hunting, gathering, crafting). Art in Prehistoric Civilization  ANCIENT MESOPOTAMIA THE TERM “PREHISTORIC” RELATES TO THE TIME BEFORE WRITTEN HISTORY. SPECIFICALLY, IN THE WRITING DEVELOPED IN ANCIENT MESOPOTAMIA BEFORE 3000 B.C.E Art in Prehistoric THIS PERIODS INCLUDES VISUAL CULTURE (PAINTINGS, SCULPTURES, AND ARCHITECTURE) Civilization THE OLDEST RECOGNIZED DECORATIVE ART FORMS COME AFRICA DATE BACK TO 100, 000 B.C.E PREHISTORIC ART  PREHISTORIC ART has four main periods: Stone Age, Neolithic, Bronze Age and Iron Age. The remaining artifacts of this period are small sculptures and cave paintings.  During this early times, different forms of art were created and performed as a sign of communication or adoration to the deity.  This practice shows how cultural and religious factors played little to the development of the art forms that made the ancient society so famous until now.  Ancient people their worldviews and beliefs through visual art images. Art emerged with the appearance and the dispersal of entirely modern people through Africa , Asia, Australia, America and Europe.  Paintings, Sculptures, engravings, and potteries are expression for beauty and complex social and spiritual systems. Prehistoric art like animals are the favorite subject of hunters, herdsmen, and breeders.  PREHISTORIC ART  Prehistoric art is a symbolic system that in an integral part of the culture that creates in (Honour et al., 2005). Many archeologist have identified Stone Art, namely: 1. Petroglyphs (rock carvings and engravings); 2. Pictographs (graphic imagery, symbols); 3. Ancient sculptures (totemic statues, ivory carvings); and 4. Megalithic Arts (performs or any other works associated with the formation of stones).  Petroglyph  s Petroglyphs are rock carvings (rock paintings are called pictographs) made by pecking directly on the rock surface using a stone chisel and a hammerstone.  When the desert varnish (or patina) on the surface of the rock was chipped off, the lighter rock underneath was exposed, creating the petroglyph.  Pictographs Pictographs are pictures that represent words or ideas. The main definition of a pictograph refers to painting and drawing on stone or cave walls that depict words or ideas. The first pictographs date back to the stone age, but the most common are those found in ancient Egypt which are also known as hieroglyphs. Ancient sculptures Ancient sculptures hold a wealth of meanings that reflect the values, beliefs, and aesthetics of the cultures that created them. These sculptures were not just decorative objects but served various social, religious, political, and symbolic purposes. Megalithic art Megalithic art refers to the use of large stones (megaliths) to create monumental structures or artworks, often associated with prehistoric cultures. These structures, which can be found across the world, served various purposes ranging from ceremonial, religious, and burial functions to symbolic representations of power or astronomical observatories. The term "megalithic" comes from the Greek words "mega" (large) and "lithos" (stone), and it typically applies to art created during the Neolithic period (New Stone Age) and into the Bronze Age.  EL CASTILLO CAVE THE OLDEST EUROPEAN CAVE ART IS THE EL CASTILLO CAVE (CAVE OF THE CASTLE) IN SPAIN. This cave was discovered in 1903 by Hermillio Alcalde del Rio, a Spanish archaeologist. Some archeologist argue that artwork inside this cave are probably a creation of Homo neanderthalensis. (Homo neanderthalensis, commonly known as Neanderthals, are an extinct species or subspecies of archaic humans who lived in Europe and parts of Asia. They existed approximately 400,000 to 40,000 years ago, during the Pleistocene epoch) Found that date back at least 40, 800 years, making them older than those of Chauvet Cave in Central France, which dated to around 39,000 years (Kwong, 2012). Other old cave painting sites in France include Lascaux, Grotte de Cussac, Pech Merle, cave of Niauz, and Font de Gaume STONE TOOLS ART MAKING  Stone is formed based on the composition of minerals on it. It is classified as Mineral Growth, Sedimentary, Metamorphic, and Volcanic.  Sedimentary Rocks – shaped through the deposition and compression of particulate matter.  Metamorphic – rocks changed from the result of extreme temperature and pressure.  VOLCANIC ROCKS- are from molten igneous magna  STONE TOOLS ART MAKING  The tools made of stone were the instruments by which early man developed and progressed. All human culture founded on the ingenuity and brainpower of our early ancestors in creating sophisticated tools that enable them to survive.  The first stone tools (eoliths – which are now believed to be naturally produced by geological processes such as glaciation) and other types of organic materials (woods, bone, ivory, and antler) were about two million years ago.  Stone Chopper – The oldest human tools; unearth at Olduvai George in Tanzania.  Paleoanthropologist – people who study the origins and predecessors of the present human species; confirmed that the Paleolithic Man produced four types of tools in creating art namely: Pebble Tools, Bifacial Tools, Flake Tools and Blade Tools. Pebble Tools (Pebble Chopper)  it is a first cutting device and consider the oldest type of tool made by humans. The tool contains a rounded stone struck some blows with a similar stone used as a pounder, which created a serrated crest that served as a chopping blade.  Bifacial  Tools It is a hand ax prehistoric stone tool flake with two faces or sides. These tools maybe oval, triangular, or almond-shaped in form and characterized by axial symmetry.  The cutting edge could be straight or jagged and is used as a knife, pick, scraper, or weapon. The techniques was distinctive of the hand-ax tradition of the lower Paleolithic period and the Acheulian culture. FLAKE TOOLS  These are hand tools used during Stone Age. They are usually formed by crushing off a small or large fragment then used as the tool. Both cores and flakes could be as stone tools.  New flakes were very sharp, but quickly became blunt during use and had to be sharpened again by further flaking, a process called “retouch.”  BLADE TOOLS  These are a Stone tool created by striking a long narrow flake from a stone core. This procedure of cutting the stone and creating the blades is called lithic reduction. After chipping the blades, they integrated into larger tools, such as spears.  MEDIEVAL ARTS IN EUROPE  The primitive art of the Western world covers an extensive range of time and place over 1000 years. Specifically, Medieval art in Europe grew out of the artistic culture of the Roman Empire and the iconographic practices in the church of the early Christian (Oliquiano, 2012). These sources were mixed with the influential “barbarian” artistic culture of Northern Europe to make an extraordinary creative legacy.  Medieval art portrayed in Pietistic painting ( religious art ) displayed in a Ceramics, Fresco, Mosaic paintings, Goldsmith and Silversmith, Stained glass, Illuminated manuscripts, metalwork, tapestry, and heraldry in churches.  Illuminated Manuscript (illumination)  They were colorful religious texts which often use of gold and silver as its main feature.  The term illuminate is the Latin word “illuminate” which means to adorn or to enlighten. It is the embellishment of a manuscript with bright colors  The artist who produced the impressive artwork on illuminated manuscript was called Illuminators. METAL WORK  Were very skilled in creating religious objects for church decorations. Expert in Bronze art produced beautiful jewels, sculptures, and even church doors. SILVERSMITH AND GOLDSMITH  They were excellent artists who created new shapes of jewelry. The medieval church demanded to employ silversmiths and goldsmiths in the church to produce religious items with precious materials that are worthy of the divine service. MOSAICS  It is the art of crafting figures with small pieces of colored glass, stone or materials. The early Christians used ceiling and wall mosaics in their churches and cathedral. PAINTINGS  Artists who were skillful in Iconography uses Fresco and panel painting with a religious heme during the medieval period.  Fresco – is performed mostly on wall covers ceilings. Likewise,  Panels – is a painting which showed on several pieces of wood that joined together. It is also for the Icons of Byzantine art.  BAYEUX TAPESTRY  It is embroidery n colored wool. It consists of eight long strips of unbleached linen, sewn together to form a continuous panel of 230 feet long and 20 inches high. CERAMICS THEY WERE HAND SHAPED COOKING POTS, JARS, AND PITCHERS STAINED GLASS  It is usually applied exclusively to the windows of medieval churches, castles, and cathedrals. It creates the primary form of art where small pieces of glass arranged to form pictures or patterns which are held together by strips of lead and supported by a hard frame. HERALDY  It is the manner of designing coats of arms and insignia. Specimens of coats or arms were worked using embroidery, paper, painted wood, stonework and stained glass.  The great artists introduced the advancement of arts during the middle periods. During this era, artist split away from the influences of the FAMOUS Byzantium art style and developed into the Gothic visual art. ARTISTS IN  The medieval painters and sculptors were founders WESTERN of the movement towards greater realism which culminated in the Renaissance art style. EUROPE  Most famous artist during medieval period were: 1. Donatello  Also known as Donato di Niccolo di Betto Bardi.  Born in 1386 in Italy.  Died December 13, 1466  He is the son of Niccolo di Betto Bardi, a wool merchant in Florence.  He learned the fabrication of metals and other substances which is known as metallurgy.  Famous work of arts: David, Mary Magdalena, Madonna, Salome, Zuccone, and St. Mark, St. John the evangelist and St. George and the Dragon.  He also invented a technique known as schiacciato (shallow relief), which achieved effects of spatial depth. 2. Giotto di Bondone  He was born about 1266 in Vespignano village, Florence.  Died on January 8, 1337, in Florence  He is the son of Giorgio Vasari, a small landed farmer.  He worked with other artists for the Cathedral of San Francesco in Assisi ad began painting a fresco cycle there with scenes from the Old and New Testaments.  In 1300, he was invited by Pope Benedict XI in Rome to paint a mosaic over the entrance to St. Peter’s Basilica. 3. Leon Battista Alberti  He was born in Genoa on February 14, 1404, in Italy.  Died in Rome on April 25, 1472  He is an architect; hired by Pope Nicholas V in the renovation of the Papal Palace and the Roman bridge of Acqua Vergine. 4. Giovanni Cimabue  He was born in Florence in 1240.  Died in 1302  He devoted all his time wrapping his paper and his books with photographs of horses, houses, people, and other various things he dreamt up.  He made mosaics as well as paintings, which include the frescoes of new Testament scenes in the upper church of St. Francis of Assisi. 5. Flippo Brunelleschi  He was born in 1377 in Florence, Italy.  Died on April 15, 1446  He is the son of Brunellesco Di Lippo, and Italian lawyer and his Mother as Guiliana Spini.  He was a sculptor and goldsmith in one of the Florentine workshops. 6. Fra Angelico  Known as Beato Angelico, which means “Blessed Angelic One”  He was born in 1395 in Florence, Italy.  He is a painter. Most famous works of arts include, The Annunciation, The Madonna and Saints and the Transfiguration of Christ painting. 7. Lorenzo Ghilberti  He was born in 1380 in Florence, Italy.  Died in 1445  He was admitted to Gold Guild and started his apprenticeship as a goldsmith in 1392.  He started work on the East Doors of the Baptistery of San Giovanni.  The Bronze doors (known as the “Gates of Paradise”) had 10 panels depicting scenes from the Old Testament.  Most Common  During classical era, most paintings were discovered in panels, tomb, and vases. It portrays natural symbols with dynamic masterpieces about battle scenes, mythological figures, and everyday scenes. Paintings in  It also discloses a grasp in linear perspective and naturalist illustration ( Rayos, 2028). Classical Greek A. Kerch Vase Painting  Is red-figured pottery named after the place where it discovered. Most common motifs were scenes from the life of women, mythological beings or mythical story or event.  This type of painting used a technique known as polychromy which combined different colors especially the brilliant one in an artistic manner.  The shape are commonly found are: KRATER 1. Krater (it is a bowl used for mixing wine and water)  2. lebes gamikos – a container with high handles and lid use to lebes gamiko carry  3. Lekanis – a low bowl with two horizontal handles and a small, broad foot  4. Pelike – a wine container Pelike Lekanis B. Panel Painting  Panel painting was especially famous for making beautiful altar pieces.  This type of paintings executed on flat panels of wood or metals which can be either a small, single piece or several boards that are together.  The earliest known old panel painting is the Pitsa Panel (dated between 540 and 530 B.C.E) C. Tomb/ Wall Painting  Popular tomb or wall painting during classical period uses their tempera (water based) or encaustic (wax) as a method of fresco. Colors in this type are made with grind powders stains in pure water, dry and set with plaster to become a lasting part of the wall. QUESTIONS?