Ancient Art Lecture 1 PDF

History of Art Lesson 1: PRE-HISTORIC & ANCIENT ART  PRE-HISTORIC These Prehistoric artworks often depicted cultural events such as rituals or depictions of the environment such as animals and landscapes. Natural materials such as stone were comm...

History of Art Lesson 1: PRE-HISTORIC & ANCIENT ART  PRE-HISTORIC These Prehistoric artworks often depicted cultural events such as rituals or depictions of the environment such as animals and landscapes. Natural materials such as stone were common in prehistoric sculptures and engravings. Pigments from natural materials were often used to create illustrations in cave paintings. PRE-HISTORIC PAINTING  LASCAUX CAVE, FRANCE It is called ‘The Hall of Bulls’, 600 animals were being painted in the room.  ANCIENT CAVE PAINTINGS (LASCAUX CAVE, FRANCE) Nicknamed as ‘The prehistoric Sistine Chapel’ First discovered by a 18-year-old Marcel Ravidat when his dog, Robot, fell in a hole. The paintings are estimated to be 17,000 years old. Painted by the Cave Man called the Magdalenian.  ANCIENT CAVE PAINTINGS (LASCAUX CAVE, FRANCE) The paintings rotate in a circle with groups of Bulls, Horses, Ox & Deer facing each other. The largest animal painted is the Bull, 16feet Not a hunting scene because the hunters doesn’t exist in the painting. One of the first example of Human Art. Paintings of Human Figures (Bird Headed Man) & Abstract Signs Engravings – Zigzag lines & Crosses HAND STENCIL typically painted with red, white or black pigment blown through a hollow tube ( bone) Some of the fingers are incomplete, some beliefs due to hand mutilation. A method of communication - offering advice on how to position one's hands & move safely through steep passageways in the extremely dim conditions in caves. Also discovered in other caves. (Cosquer Cave, Altamira Caves) 2 methods how these hands were painted – Prints & Stencils PRE-HISTORIC SCULPTURE  PRE-HISTORIC SCULPTURE VENUS OF WILLENDORF I 24000BCE Crafted using Oolitic limestone. 1908, discovered by Joseph Szombathy, in lower Austria, a Paleolithic site near Willendorf. Physical characteristics : Braided, Faceless. A thin upper torso, largely exaggerated breasts, large buttocks and thighs, a large stomach (possibly due to pregnancy), and oddly Symbolized as a fertility figure, bent, short legs, that end with to bring good-luck, a mother small feet. goddess symbol Very little is known about its also known as the origin, how it was made, or Woman of Willendorf. what it meant to the people who made it. Ancient Age: Ancient Egyptian Art  Ancient Egyptian Art refers to art produced in ancient Egypt between the 6th millennium BC and the 4th century AD. Tombs Painting A n c i e n t E g y p t To m b ’ s P a i n t i n g Portrayal of the ‘Afterlife’ - They would show scenes of this person happy in the afterlife. The belief of life after death were based on the Egyptian ‘Book of the Dead’. Portrayals of Human & Animal-like Gods of the Ancient Egyptian myth. Highly Stylized & Symbolic.- Figures are characterized in side view.  They are painted using Fresco technique. They mostly used the colors blue, black, red, green, yellow and gold in their paintings. THOT : GOD OF WISDOM Ibis-headed man PHAROAH : THE KING Meaning ‘Great House’. SOBEK : CROCODILE GOD God of Nile - The source of trades and livelihood Protection from the many crocodiles in the river. ANUBIS : GOD OF THE DEAD Jackal - Headed God Associated with mummification.  HORUS : FALCON Horus was the national patron god. OSIRIS : GOD OF DEATH Green skin – symbolizes Rebirth FAMOUS EGYPT KING, KING TUTANKHAMUN They buried with their belongings, furniture, vases, cloth and even food. They believe that this thing can be used in the next life. ‘The Fowling Scene’ from the Tomb of Nebamun. This painting is a picture on a tomb wall of Queen Nefertiti, wife of Ramses the Great. Relief Sculptures Some are carved into the walls of the temples and tombs, while some relief were painted. Relief sculptures created in ancient Egypt were mainly produced to decorate tombs for the wealthy and powerful. Egyptian Hieroglyphs E GY P T I A N H I E R O G LY P H S - The Ancient Egyptian writing system. - Hieroglyphs were written on papyrus, used as religious literature, carved in stone on walls, and used to decorate many objects of cultic and daily life use. - The ancient Egyptians believed that writing was invented by the God Thoth (God of Wisdom). - One of the popular ancient artifact of carved Hieroglyphs were the discovery of Rosetta Stone. Rosetta Stone -> Egyptian Scribes  E GY P T I A N S C R I B E S -The Scribes were ancient people who learned to read and write the hieroglyphs. -They record the everyday life and events in ancient Egypt. Such as stocks amount for food, admin & legal contracts, medical documents, tax records & magic spells. - One of the most famous scribe was named Imhotep. All scribes would sprinkle a drop of water from their bowl in honor of him before they start they daily works. - In most cases, not everyone can be a scribe besides the son of the scribes. Ancient Age: Ancient Greece Art  Polytheist - believed in many gods Examples of Greek God & Goddesses : Zeus, Poseidon, Medusa, Venus, Athena, Aphrodite & Apollo.  God of God of Lightning the Sea  Greek mythology is full of mysterious stories and legends. G re e k m y t h o l o g y And strange being like minotaur and mermaids ANCIENT GREEK SCULPTURE (800-300BCE) ANCIENT GREEK SCULPTURE - Archaic Period 600 – 500 BC Kroisos Kore Kritian Boy Contrapposto - standing with most of its weight on one foot.  VENUS DE MILO (Around 130BC) - Sculpted by Alexandros of Antioch using Marble. - Discovered in 1820 in the island of Milos. - The height of the sculpture is 6ft 8inches. - Greek Goddess Aphrodite where the Romans call Venus. - The Goddess of love & beauty. - The reasons of broken arms remained unknown. - Some believed she represents the Sea Goddess in Milos. - Some believed her broken arm were originally holding an apple, an award given before the Trojan War began. - Originally draped in jewelry with bracelet & earrings.  APHRODITE (Around 400 BCE) - Sculpted by Praxiteles using Marble. - The Greek Goddess that represent Love & Beauty. - The Greek Myth (Poet Hesiod) suggests that she was born from the foams of sea waves. - Able to provoke feelings of love & lust wherever she goes & for whoever that sees her. - Poet Homer suggests that she was one of the 12 Olympian Gods who live on Mount Olympian. - The gestures show that Aphrodite is reaching for a bath towel while covering her pubis. - Adulterer – Betrayed her husband Hephaestus and associated with Ares who is the God of War. WINGED VICTORY OF SAMOTHRACE (200BC) Also known as Nike of Samothrace Carved using marble but sculptor is unknown. According to Greek myth, She is the Goddess of victory, taking shape in a pair of wings, and originally blowing trumpets. She is a Messenger, flying over the earth & spreading the news of athletic /military victory. The head & arms were found missing when first discovered in 1863. C o s t u m e s o f t h e G r e e ks Wo m e n Peplos, Chiton and Himation  Class Activity: Write Your Name in Hieroglyphs F A R A H Then, share with your classmate!