Gateway to Art Section 3 Picture

Mesopotamia: The Cradle of Civilization

"The land between the rivers" Tigres and Euphrates Fertile Crescent "Cradle of Civilization" Early urban centers Frequent battles for control over region Polytheistic

What does Classical mean?

Ancient Greek

Sculpture Throughout Ancient Greece

Archaic Late 7th-early 5th century BCE Shows slight movement and often an "archaic" smile Classical c. 480-323 BCE Polykleitos Developed a canon for idealized proportions Contrapposto

Michelangelo, Last Judgment, Sistine Chapel

Around 20 years after completing the ceiling, Michelangelo was commissioned to return to the Sistine Chapel and paint the altar wall Last Judgment Souls called up on the left Blessed remain in heaven Damned cast down into hell on the right Energetic, chaotic effect of the scene Reflects uncertainty of the late Renaissance

Assyrians

Ashurnasirpal II was the first great Assyrian King Slave labor was used to build a grand palace in Nimrud Palace covered with relief sculpture showing battles and hunting scenes

The Acropolis, Athens, Greece

Athens dedicated to the goddess Athena after she won a battle with Poseidon Original temple complex destroyed by Persians The regrowth of Athena's olive tree inspired the Athenians to rebuild The Persians were seen as barbarians and the Greek cities united to prepare for future battles

The High Renaissance in Italy

Beginning of the 16th century Continued development of making art look "believable" Rules of perspective Ideal and real Religious and mythological subject matter Three great Italian artists dominated this period: Leonardo da Vinci Michelangelo Raphael

Depictions of David

Bernini's David

Depictions of David

Biblical story of David and Goliath

Manuscripts and the Middle Ages

Books written and decorated by hand Artists and scribes were often monks Beauty and detail of manuscripts encouraged long contemplation

Pieter Bruegel: A Sampling of Proverbs

Bruegel was interested in "types" Such as farmers and townspeople The people are general and universal figures Not idealized individuals Over 100 proverbs are illustrated in this painting Some are now obscure Some are still in use

Florence Cathedral

Building the cathedral began in 1296, but it was still incomplete more than 100 years later No one had figured out how to build its enormous dome In 1419 a competition to design the dome was held Italian sculptor and architect Filippo Brunelleschi won He designed the dome, devised the machinery used to build it, and oversaw the construction

Landscape with Volcano eruption

Catalhoyuk

Pilgrimage in the Middle Ages

Central to the practice of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam Pilgrims traveled to: Places where relics were kept Sites of important religious events

Chartres Cathedral

Chartres - exterior Rib vaults make great height possible Flying buttresses Large stained-glass windows

Chartres Cathedral, interior

Chartres - interior Famous for blue windows Designed for pilgrims: Large size Ceiling 118 feet high Nave 50 feet wide Labyrinth at entrance, symbolic of spiritual and physical journey

Some stylistic characteristics of Byzantine art:

Christian subject matter Small icons promote personal mediation Glass mosaics made for churches Floating figures in which line is emphasized rather than volume Flat spaces with minimal sense of depth Light an important element for churches and mosaics Frequent use of gold, especially in the background Empty background to signify no connection to a specific time or place

Medieval Church Plans

Churches were sites of relics and made for pilgrimages Romanesque churches Some architectural features reminiscent of ancient Rome Pointed arch a new aspect at this time Use of tympanum

Leonardo da Vinci, The Last Supper

Commissioned by Dominican friars For their refectory in the monastery of Santa Maria delle Grazie, Milan, Italy Story of the Last Supper Christ's last meal with his disciples before crucifixion Visual structure: Christ at the center Christ as a stable and calm triangular form Christ's head framed by natural light from three windows Vanishing point directly behind Christ's head

Arch of Constantine, Rome, Italy

Constantine Associated himself with Apollo and other pagan gods Legalized the practice of all religions, including Christianity Triumphal Arch of Constantine Commemorates the victory at Milvian Bridge Intended to enforce his lineage to earlier emperors Placed near the Colosseum, which had been built by earlier emperors Covered with sculpture taken from earlier imperial monuments

Judaism

Descendants of Abraham Yahweh's (God's) face is not shown in art Few examples of Jewish art survive

El Greco, Laocoön

Domenikos Theotokopoulos, called El Greco Mannerist painter from Greece Worked in Venice and Rome Eventually moved to Spain Laocoön Story from Greek myth of a Trojan priest Mannerist exaggeration Elongated and distorted forms Expressionistic use of color and modeling

Rembrandt van Rijn, The Night Watch

Dutch Baroque Rembrandt Impressive reputation as an artist The Night Watch Commissioned by the Dutch civic militia Depicts a gathering of officers and guardsmen Skillful use of lighting techniques Chiaroscuro, tenebrism Believed to be a night scene Until it was cleaned after WWII, when it was revealed that the dark atmosphere was a result of years of accumulated dirt and layers of varnish

Albrecht Dürer, The Last Supper

Dürer traveled to Italy twice He was influenced by Classical subject matter And Italian Renaissance rules of perspective and composition This woodcut was made 25 years after Leonardo's painting The Last Supper Reflects the ideas of the Protestant Reformation The doctrine of the Lutheran Church emphasizes that communion is only a re-enactment, not the literal receiving of Christ's body and blood

The Great Pyramid of KhufuBelief in the Afterlife

Egyptian belief in an afterlife The pyramids housed the tombs of the pharaohs The pharaohs were buried with everything they used in their daily lives

Byzantine Art

Emperor Justinian great patron of the arts Funded Hagia Sophia, Constantinople Protected icons at monastery of St. Catherine, Mount Sinai, Egypt Mosaic Made from glass tesserae Often placed in Byzantine churches to reflect light Icons Encaustic paintings on wood Venerated, believed to possess powers of healing

Medieval

End of Roman Empire in the west by 476 CE The western part of the empire followed the Roman Catholic Church

Babylonians, Ishtar Gate from Babylon

Entrance to the city Link between Processional Way and the local ziggurat 120 glazed reliefs of lions, the symbol of the goddess Ishtar

Some stylistic characteristics of art from the Middle Ages:

Expresses spiritual concerns rather than humanist ones Made to support religion and pilgrimages Centered around location of relics and important sites Religious subject matter Richly decorated manuscripts Fantastical animal-like forms Elongated and twisted figures Grand-scale cathedrals

Sumerians

First great power of Mesopotamia Cuneiform Earliest known form of writing Wedge-shaped symbols

Detail of Last Judgment showing self-portrait in St. Bartholomew's skin

Flayed skin of St. Bartholomew Located at the center-right of the composition Face is a self-portrait by Michelangelo Possible meanings: Michelangelo was a tortured artist Indication of his dissatisfaction with painting commissions (his favored process was sculpting) May refer to the artist's homosexuality

Peter Paul Rubens, The Raising of the Cross

Flemish Baroque Peter Paul Rubens Very prolific artist Operated a large workshop with assistants Received many commissions from wealthy merchants The Raising of the Cross Center panel of an altarpiece for a church Focus on Christ's body Strong diagonal lines Bright light Muscular body, immaculate flesh

Fowling scene, from the tomb of Nebamun

Found in tomb of the scribe Nebamun Shows desires in the afterlife Hunting and fishing, endless food Family - wife and daughter Figures Hierarchical scale Composite view/twisted perspective

Zahi HawassThe Golden Mask of King Tutankham

Found under three layers of sarcophagi An image for the soul to enter in death Gold with inlays of semi-precious stones and colored glass The vulture and cobra atop the brow represent the goddesses of Upper and Lower Egypt, both under the pharaoh's care

Nicholas Poussin, The Funeral of Phocion

French Baroque Nicholas Poussin Carefully planned his compositions Specialized in subjects from Classical antiquity The Funeral of Phocion Story of an Athenian general falsely executed for treason Space organized to guide the viewer through the landscape Balance and order

Iktinos and Kallikrates, Parthenon

Function Temple to the goddess Athena Housed combined war treasury to provide funds in the event of another battle with the Persians Art object White marble, originally painted in bright colors Included several sculptures to Athena including a colossal statue made of gold and ivory Exemplar of Classical architecture

Cimabue and Giottotwo different artworks of Virgin and Child Enthroned

Giotto's Virgin and Child Enthroned A more convincing three-dimensional throne More three-dimensional, earthly figures More sense of depth in the background

The Rise of the Gothic

Gothic architecture Increased height Rib vaults Flying buttresses

Human-headed winged lion (lamassu

Guardian figure placed at gateway to Ashurnasirpal's palace Five legs show simultaneous movement and stillness Symbolized King and his power Horned cap symbol of divinity Lamassu Mind of a man Strength of a lion Sight of an eagle Larger than humans

Ancient Egypt

Hieroglyphs help us to understand the meaning of their art

Cross-carpet page, Lindisfarne Gospels

Illuminated manuscript Resembles stained glass Filled with decorative lines and animals Cross and Carpet page to signify beginning of new gospel Scribed by the bishop Eadfrith in northeast England

The Ascent of the Prophet Muhammad on his Steed, Buraq ...

Islamic manuscripts Do show humans, although not Allah Stories often taken from life of Muhammad Muhammad in manuscript Shown in the center surrounded by flames Face is veiled Being led by angel Gabriel

Metope of a Lapith and Centaur in combatfrom the south side of the Parthenon

Lapiths and Centaurs Greek myth about humans battling with half-horse creatures Symbolic of the Athenians' battle with the Persians Metope Relief sculpture Covering Doric frieze of the exterior of the Parthenon Current location at the British Museum due to Lord Elgin

St. Trophîme, west portal with tympanum

Last Judgment Placed above entrance and exit to church Blessed on Christ's right; damned on his left Christ Hierarchical scale Central position Four Evangelists: Matthew (angel) Mark (lion) Luke (ox) John (eagle)

Page from the Koran

Late twelfth- or thirteenth-century artwork from Spain On the page Beauty of script signifies beauty of word of Allah Image of Allah is not shown Script Written from right to left Headings in kufic (oldest script) Everything else is maghribi (regional script) Large gold design signifies the beginning of a new chapter

Head of an Akkadian Ruler

Likely a portrait of King Naram-Sin, Sargon's grandson Bronze Life-sized Damage and theft Originally had precious materials in the eye sockets, but gouged out by ancient thieves Artwork looted as recently as 2003 from National Museum of Iraq, but has since been returned

What is the focal point in the last supper?

Linar perspected

Art of Ancient Greece

Man is the measure of all things" Valued the achievements and potential of humanity Portrayed idealized human bodies (mostly nude) Athletic, democratic, intellectual culture Polytheism Gods and goddesses often the subject of art High above each city was an acropolis, a religious center with a temple dedicated to the city's protective deity

Jacopo da Pontormo, Deposition

Mannerist depiction of the deposition scene Unstable composition Swirling pattern Bright, unnatural colors Sense of anxiety and disorder

Middle Ages

Marks the end of the Classical world Ends at the beginning of the Renaissance

Art of Late Antiquity

Marks the transition from the pagan polytheistic religions to three large monotheistic religions

Masaccio, Tribute Money

Masaccio is a nickname, meaning "Big Clumsy Tom" Masaccio applied linear perspective (Brunelleschi's invention) in Tribute Money All elements use the same scale Vanishing point and focal point Atmospheric perspective Creates the believable illusion of three-dimensional space Chiaroscuro Used to create realistic shading and modeling Continuous narrative Three separate moments in time are depicted in one unified space

Good Shepherd, mosaic in lunette

Mausoleum of Galla Placidia Family tomb of Roman emperor Flavius Honorius Imagery Mosaic Christ as Good Shepherd Centrally located Appearance is regal Sharply delineated rather than fully three-dimensional Lambs in sets of three: symbolic of trinity

Renaissance (1400-1600)

Means "rebirth" Refers to the time period and the style of art A renewed interest in Classical thinking, mythology, and art

Mihrab from the Madrasa Imami, Isfahan, Iran

Mihrab Prayer niche identifying direction of Mecca Tiles decorated with geometric design and calligraphy Arabesque style Pointed arch Script bordering edges of frame quotes from the Koran

Theodora and Attendants, San Vitale

Mosaic Figures flat and appear to be floating Figures lined in a procession towards the actual altar of San Vitale Set in a garden because in reality women were not actually allowed near the apse in the church Theodora Rose from lower classes to become wife of Emperor Justinian Rich robe shows Three Magi on the hem Carries a chalice of wine that, when combined with the bread held by Justinian in the nearby mosaic, signifies the Eucharist ceremony

Mecca

Most important pilgrimage site in Islam Five "Pillars" of Islam: devotion to Allah, prayer, charity, fasting, and pilgrimage to Mecca Birthplace of Muhammad Site of the Kaaba Built by Abraham for God

Islam

Muhammad as main prophet of Allah (God) Does not show Allah in art, and rarely shows human figures

The Renaissance in Northern Europe

Northern European countries we now know as the Netherlands, Germany, France, and Belgium During the fifteenth century, artists in northern Europe: Continued using methods established in the Middle Ages Those used for illuminated manuscripts (see chapter 3.2) Paid careful attention to texture and fine detail Developed oil painting techniques Depicted everyday objects with religious symbolism Were considered the finest artists in Europe at the time

Rosetta Stone

Object that made the translation of hieroglyphs possible Deciphered in 1822 by Jean-François Champollion Carving of edicts by Ptolemy V Written in three languages Hieroglyphic, Demotic, and Greek

Humanism

Philosophical approach that stressed the intellectual and physical potential of human beings

Christ icon, St. Catherine Monastery

Protected at Mount Sinai during Byzantine Iconoclasm (see Chapter 4.8) Imagery of Christ Bearded, long hair Dual nature

Raphael, The School of Athens Past and Present in the Painting

Reference to the Classical past Gathering of great philosophers and scientists Lived at different times in history A fictional scene Raphael made the scene believable Followed the rules of perspective Used features of contemporary people he knew Plato modeled after Leonardo Heraclitus after Michelangelo Self-portrait as Apelles

Baroque (1600-1750

Refers to the time period and the style of art Increase in trade, advancements in science Permanent split between Roman Catholics and Protestants Baroque art tends to be full of motion and emotion

Religion

Reformation and Counter-Reformation Catholic and Protestant beliefs were reflected in the art of the Italian Renaissance and the northern Renaissance

Reliquary of the Head of St. Alexander

Relics Body parts of saints or holy figures Sacred objects Tunic of Mary Piece of the wooden cross on which Christ was crucified

The Early Renaissance in Italy

Renewed interest in the Classical past Study of mathematics and science encouraged the systematic understanding of the world Art was a balance of the real and ideal Realistic depictions of three-dimensional space and perspective Idealistic portrayal of mythological or religious subjects, and the nude figure The artist Giotto represents the transition between the art of the Middle Ages and the early Renaissance (see chapter 3.2)

Byzantium

Roman Empire becomes Byzantine empire in the east Roman capital becomes Constantinople The eastern part of the empire followed the Greek Orthodox Church

Sofonisba Anguissola, Portrait of the Artist's Sisters Playing Chess

Sofonisba Anguissola Italian Mannerist artist Achieved success rare for a Renaissance woman Known for her portraits Was appointed at the court of the Queen of Spain Portrait of the Artist's Sisters Playing Chess Everyday scene Details and textures: fabric, jewelry, fashion of the day Emphasizes personality and expressions of the girls

Some stylistic characteristics of Greek art:

Subject matter: mythological gods, goddesses, and heroes Idealized nudes reflect Greek belief in humanity Use of contrapposto Evolution of Doric and Ionic architecture in temples Built temples to the Gods Significant use of marble and bronze

Interior west wall of synagogue at Dura Europos

Syria Oldest surviving Jewish painting (fresco) Narrative stories Torah Stories of Jewish History Shrine for Torah in center of west wall

Tintoretto, The Last Supper

The Catholic Counter-Reformation believed in religious images as powerful teaching tools Especially to dissuade followers from converting to Protestantism Intensely dramatic quality of this painting is characteristic of Counter-Reformation art Diagonal lines Asymmetrical balance Extremes of light and dark Supernatural light Active and dynamic Versus the calm and order of Leonardo's Last Supper (fig. 3.122)

Dome of Florence Cathedral

The construction of Brunelleschi's dome began in 1420 It took 16 years to complete Dome was a great technological challenge 140 feet in diameter, and 170 feet above ground at its top Brunelleschi designed the system and equipment for building it The dome structure was built layer by layer

Bull-leapers, from Palace of Knossos

The man are dark and the women are pale skin

Andokides Painter, Achilles and Ajax Playing Dice

Two sides of the same amphora Archaic Greek style Black-figure painting Slip used to paint design Incised details into slip Areas that remained covered by the slip are black Red-figure painting Slip used to outline figures and paint in details Areas in which the slip was used are black Figures look slightly more three-dimensional than with the black-figure metho

Standard of Ur

Wooden box with inlaid shell, lapis lazuli, and red limestone Discovered in Royal Cemetery of Ur

Christianity

Worships Jesus Christ as the son of God Second Commandment Admonishes that Christians should not worship idols Some sects believe that this warns against making images of religious figures

What do hieroglyphs tell us?

Written form of the Egyptian language Can represent objects, ideas, or sounds Written on many artworks, often describing who or what is depicted, and the subject's significance

Late Renaissance and Mannerism

c. 1530-1600 A time of historical upheaval 1527 Sack of Rome 1530 Charles V crowned Holy Roman Emperor Late Renaissance art A reaction to the high Renaissance Dissonance instead of harmony Distortion rather than precision Mannerism From the Italian "di maniera," which means charm, grace Exaggeration for emotional effect

Exodus and Crossing of the Red Sea

panel from west wall of synagogue at Dura Europos, Syria Parting of the Red Sea Continuous narrative

Encosaic

wax