Characteristics of Paleolithic Art (5)
typically portable carved objects or cave paintings
common subjects: animals and female figures focus on
conceptual representation rather than optical representation
incorporate natural formations into compositions
purpose of most works unclear
Name
Date
Period
Location
Medium
Nude Woman (Venus of Willendorf)
28000-25000 BCE
Paleolithic
Willendorf, Austria
limestone
Demonstrative (5)
portable carved object subject matter--woman
conceptual representation incorporates natural form of
stone into composition unclear purpose
Name
Date
Period
Location
Medium
Hall of Bulls
16000-14000 BCE
Paleolithic
Lascaux, France
cave painting
Demonstrative (4)
cave painting subject matter--animals
conceptual representation unclear purpose-- no clear
narrative
Name
Date
Period
Location
Medium
Bison Licking Its Flank
12,000 BCE
Paleolithic
La Madeleine, France
reindeer horn
Demostrative (4)
portable hand-carved object subject
matter--animal conceptual representation
incorporates natural form of reindeer horn into composition
Innovative (1)
solved the problem of depicting the full profile of a bison on
an awkwardly shaped reindeer horn
Characteristics of Neolithic Art (5)
regional variations permanent settlements provide new
locations for art art as record of people or events
introduction of clearer narrative megalithic
architecture in north
Name
Date
Period
Location
Medium
Human skull w/restored features
7200-6700 BCE
Neolithic
Jericho
skull w/plaster, paint, and inlaid shell
Demonstrative (2)
particular to the culture of Jericho: art for ritual
purpose record of a person
Name
Date
Period
Location
Medium
Deer Hunt
5750 BCE
Neolithic
Catal Hoyuk, Turkey
wall painting
Demonstrative (4)
particular to the culture of Anatolia: art as decoration for
living space art on the wall of a man-made structure
possible record of an event introduction of
narrative
Innovative (1)
regular apperance of human figures
Continuity (1)
still concerned with conceptual representation
Name
Date
Period
Location
Medium
Stonehenge
2550-1600 BCE
Neolithic
Wiltshire, England
megaliths
Demonstrative (3)
particular to the culture of Europe: massive stone
monuments records the solar calendar megalithic
architecture
Innovative (1)
post and lintel construction using megaliths
Characteristics of Ancient Mesopotamia and Persian Art (4)
stylized forms, continued interest in conceptual v optical
representation sculpture and monumental architecture take
precedence principle subjects: human figures and gods, often
displaying a narrative main purpose: religious and
political (honoring gods/rulers)
Name
Date
Period
Location
Medium
Statuettes of Two Worshippers
2700 BCE
Sumerian
Eshnunna, Iraq
gypsum, shell, and black limestone
Demonstrative (4)
stylized forms freestanding subtractive sculpture
human figures religious purpose: votive offering to the
gods
Name
Date
Period
Location
Medium
Standard of Ur
2600-2400 BCE
Sumerian
Ur, Iraq
wood, lapiz lazuli, shell, and red limestone
Demonstrative (4)
stylized forms, conceptual representation subject:
human ruler narrative possible political
purpose
Innovative (2)
registers used to organize narrative displayed
importance through hierarchy of scale
Name
Date
Period
Location
Medium
Victory Stele of Naram-Sin
2254-2218 BCE
Akkadian
Susa, Iran
pink sandstone
Demonstrative (4)
stylized, conceptual representation low relief
sculpture depicts human figures in a narrative, specifically
a historical event politcal purpose: honors the Ruler
Naram-Sin
Innovative (4)
king shown as divine divine support for royalty
landscape setting figured on successive levels, not
registers
Continuity (2)
Hierarchy of scale military narrative
Name
Date
Period
Location
Medium
Ziggurat of Ur
2100 BCE
NeoSumerian
Ur, Iraq
mud brick
Demonstrative (2)
monumental architecture religious purpose: base for
temple honoring the gods
Innovative (1)
used mud bricks to build up the core and faced them with baked
bricks
Name
Date
Period
Location
Medium
Stele with the Law Code of Hammurabi
1780 BCE
Babylonia
Susa, Iran
basalt
Demonstrative (4)
stylized, conceptual representation high relief
sculpture depicts human kind and Babylonian god
political: honors King Hammurabi and his law code, claims he has
divine approval
Innovative (2)
headdress shown in profile, eliminating 4 of the 8 horns
some attempts at foreshortening to create depth
Continuity (3)
hierarchy of scale divine support of king
displays the power of the ruler
Name
Date
Period
Location
Medium
Lamassu (man-headed winged bull)
721-705 BCE
Assyrian
Dur Sharrukin, Iraq
limestone
Demonstrative (4)
some stylization conceptual representation
high relief sculpture politcal purpose: guardian of the
king's palace
Innovative (2)
solves the problem of conceptually depicting an animal that
will be seen from two different sides tries to capture
natural appearance of bone and muscle beneath skin
Continuity (2)
divine support of the king displays the power of a
ruler
Name
Date
Period
Location
Medium
Ashurbanipal Hunting Lions
645-640 BCE
Assyrian
Nineveh, Iraq
gypsum
Demonstrative
stylized features low relief sculpture
depicts king in a narrative event political: honors the
king
Innovative
not conceptually represented, most in profile (except
eyes) emotion readily apparent in the bodies of the
lions
Continuity
displays the power of a ruler naturalistic attention
to muscle and bones lions' skin
Name
Date
Period
Location
Medium
Persians and Medes Processional Frieze
521-465 BCE
Persian
Persepolis, Iran
limestone
Demonstrative
stylized depiction of figures high relief
sculpture depicts human figures purpose: honor
rules
Continuity
movement away from simply conceptual representation, figures
more strictly in profile (except eyes) displays the power
of a ruler depiction of tribute procession