circa
Often dates will be preceded with a "c." or a "ca." These are abbreviations of the Latin word "circa" which means around, or approximately.
Two-dimensional
having or appearing to have length and breadth but no depth.
Three-dimensional
having or appearing to have length, breadth, and depth.
representational art
relating to or denoting art that aims to depict the physical appearance of things.
abstract art
art that does not attempt to represent external, recognizable reality but seeks to achieve its effect using shapes, forms, colors, and textures.
non-representational/non-objective art
is another way to refer to Abstract Art. These artworks do not represent or depict a being, a place or a thing in the natural world.
Portrait
a painting, drawing, photograph, or engraving of a person, especially one depicting only the face or head and shoulders.
still life
a painting or drawing of an arrangement of objects, typically including fruit and flowers and objects contrasting with these in texture, such as bowls and glassware.
Landscape
all the visible features of an area of countryside or land, often considered in terms of their aesthetic appeal.
Seascape
a view of an expanse of sea.
Cityscape
the visual appearance of a city or urban area; a city landscape
illusion of space
a false appearance or deceptive impression of reality
perspective (one point)
A drawing has one-point perspective when it contains only one vanishing point on the horizon line. This type of perspective is typically used for images of roads, railway tracks, hallways, or buildings viewed so that the front is directly facing the viewer.
Foreground
the part of a view that is nearest to the observer, especially in a picture or photograph; make (something) the most prominent or important
middle ground
the middle distance of a painting or photograph.
Background
the area or scenery behind the main object of contemplation, especially when perceived as a framework for it.
horizon line
The horizon line in perspective drawing is a horizontal line across the picture. It is always at eye level - its placement determines where we seem to be looking from - a high place, or from close to the ground. The actual horizon might not be visible, but you need to draw a 'virtual' horizon to construct a picture in perspective.
vanishing point
the point at which receding parallel lines viewed in perspective appear to converge.
Sculpture
the art of making two- or three-dimensional representative or abstract forms, especially by carving stone or wood or by casting metal or plaster.
Relief
sculpture consisting of shapes carved on a surface so as to stand out from the surrounding background
intaglio
in sculpture, engraving or incised figure in stone or other hard material such that all lines appear below the surface; it is thus the opposite of relief sculpture and is sometimes called "hollow relief.
in the round (free standing)
a type of sculpture in which the figures are presented in complete three-dimensional form and are not attached to a flat background (unlike relief). The principal types of sculpture in the round are statues, busts, and sculptural groups.
naturalism
a style and theory of representation based on the accurate depiction of detail.
Abstraction
freedom from representational qualities in art; the quality of dealing with ideas rather than events.
portable art (sometimes called mobiliary art)
(sometimes called mobiliary art) refers to the small examples of Prehistoric art that could be carried from place to place, which is especially characteristic of the Art of the Upper Palaeolithic.
stationary art
was just that: it didn't move. The best examples exist in (now famous) cave paintings in western Europe, created during the Paleolithic period.
figurative art
sometimes written as figurativism, describes artwork�particularly paintings and sculptures�that is clearly derived from real object sources, and are therefore by definition representational. "Figurative art" is often defined in contrast to abstract art
non-figurative art
of or relating to a style of art in which objects do not resemble those known in physical nature
Neolithic art
In the cases of architecture and megalithic constructions, art was now created in fixed locations. This was significant. Where temples, sanctuaries and stone rings were built, gods and goddesses were provided with known destinations. Additionally, the emergence of tombs provided unmoving, "visit-able" resting places for the dearly departed - another first
Types of neolithic art
The "new" arts to emerge from this era were weaving, architecture, the construction of megaliths and increasingly stylized pictographs that were well on their way to becoming writing.
Henge
henge is a roughly circular or oval-shaped flat area enclosed and delimited by a boundary earthwork - usually a ditch with an external bank; it is generally accepted that they were used in rituals and ceremonies
trilithon
is a structure consisting of two large vertical stones (posts) supporting a third stone set horizontally across the top (lintel). It is commonly used in the context of megalithic monuments. The most famous trilithons are those of Stonehenge in England and those found in the Megalithic temples of Malta, both of which are UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Chauvet-Pont-d/Arc
Here are remarkably evocative renderings of animals and some humans that employ a complex mix of naturalism and abstraction
Venus of Willendorf
does not have any facial features; is a portable piece of art at 4 3/8 inches tall; unrealistic in shape and proportion; no facial features
cylinder seal
a small, barrel-shaped stone object with a hole down the center and an incised design or cuneiform inscription. It was originally rolled on clay when soft to indicate ownership or to authenticate a document and was used chiefly in Mesopotamia from the late 4th to the 1st millennium BC.
cuneiform characters
The name 'cuneiform' means 'wedge-shaped' and comes from the Latin cuneus (wedge). It is based on the appearance of the strokes, which were made by pressing reed a stylus into clay. These type of symbol emerged in 3,000 BC.
Stele
an upright stone slab or pillar bearing an inscription or design and serving as a monument, marker, or the like; a prepared surface on the face of a building, a rock, etc., bearing an inscription or the like.
Iconography
a collection of illustrations or portraits; the visual images and symbols used in a work of art or the study or interpretation of these.
Ziggurat
a rectangular stepped tower, sometimes surmounted by a temple. Ziggurats are first attested in the late 3rd millennium BC and probably inspired the biblical story of the Tower of Babel (Gen. 11:1-9).
Register
is a vertical level in a work that consists of several levels, especially where the levels are clearly separated by lines; modern comic books typically use similar conventions. It is thus comparable to a row, or a line in modern texts; Common examples are from Ancient Egyptian hieroglyphs as decoration scenes, on objects.
wall reliefs
is a sculptural technique. To create a sculpture in relief is to give the impression that the sculpted material has been raised above the background plane. What is actually performed when a relief is cut in from a flat surface of stone (relief sculpture) or wood (relief carving) is a lowering of the field, leaving the unsculpted parts seemingly raised
composite creature
A composite object or item is made up of several different things, parts, or substances. i.e. mermaid
lamassu
is an Assyrian protective deity, often depicted with a bull or lion's body, eagle's wings, and human's head.
Apadana
The city of Persepolis contained a massive columned hall called an Apadana.
Standard of Ur
4500 years old; eagle, olive branch and arrows.Present day iraq; city state of ur. Hypothesized to have been brought into battle. Intentionally buried in an elaborate burial. Discovered by leonard woolley. Rows of human and animal figures; the piece is easily carried. Scene of peace and prosperity. Figures are drinking. Bottom tier shows everybody is seen in perfect profile; similar to egyptian art.
Ancient Near East
Egypt, anatolia, Canaan, Mesopotamia, Caucasus, Crete (island), Cyprus (island), hitties, Arzawa, Ugarit, Akkad, Sumer, Elam, Assur
Great Lyre from the King's Grave
2650-2550 B.C.E. giant gold bull covered in silver, gold, lapis lazuli, shell, bitumen, and wood. From the royal tomb of Ur. Animals are naturalistic, however the animals are performing music and carrying funeral ritual objects.
Ziggurat of Ur
Like an ancient Egyptian pyramid, an ancient Near Eastern ziggurat has four sides and rises up to the realm of the gods. Ziggurats were not smooth but tiered to accommodate the work which took place at the structure as well as the administrative oversight and religious rituals essential to Ancient Near Eastern cities. The Ziggurat at Ur and the temple on its top were built around 2100 B.C.E. by the king Ur-Nammu of the Third Dynasty of Ur for the moon goddess Nanna, the divine patron of the city state.
Victory Stele of Naram-Sin
2254-2218 B.C.E. Depicts a historial event; two stars that depict the Elamite king Shutruk-Nahhunte attacked Babylon and, according to his later inscription, the stele was taken to Susa in what is now Iran. Some think that the two depicted stars represent the dieties Shamash and Ishtar. Hierarchy of scale is used in this composition.
Law Code Stele of King Hammurabi
1792-1750 B.C.E. Predates the Commandments of the Old Testament. Shows Hammurabi receiving the laws from the god shumash. He sits on scales the from which the god emerges. Hammurabi and shumash are depicted as somewhat equals. They were written in cuniform that the people could understand. Laws are uniform; doesn't matter what your caste is.
Ashurbanipal Hunting lions
gypsum hall relief from the North Palace, Ninevah c. 645-635. depicts the destruction of susa, military victories and exploits, king killing lions in an arena= king keeping nature at bay. The king is larger than the other pictures and this piece is considered to be a masterpiece. Also shows a relief of a relief.
Ishtar Gate and Processional Way
the most elaborate of the inner city gates constructed in Babylon in antiquity. The whole gate was covered in lapis lazuli glazed bricks which would have rendered the fa�ade with a jewel-like shine. Alternating rows of lion and cattle march in a relief procession across the gleaming blue surface of the gate. Lions represent ishtar; goddess of war, wisdom, and sexuality. Dragons are associated with marduk; fertility of the land and harvest. Mesopotamia had to import all of their stone; uses copper to create blue. Commisioned by Nebuchadnezzar (604-561 B.C.E.)
art of the persian empire
Persia was the first empire known to have acknowledged the different faiths, languages and political organizations of its subjects. For example, The Persians accepted hieroglyphic script written on papyrus in Egypt and traditional Babylonian record keeping in cuneiform in Mesopotamia. Persepolis included a massive columned hall used for receptions by the Kings, called the Apadana. This hall contained 72 columns and two monumental stairways.
How does the artwork function in the Ancient Near East?
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What are the different geographical regions that constitute the Ancient Near East?
Egypt, anatolia, Canaan, Mesopotamia, Caucasus, Crete (island), Cyprus (island), hitties, Arzawa, Ugarit, Akkad, Sumer, Elam, Assur
What is the role of death and burial rituals in Ancient Near Eastern art?
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What is the role of animals in Ancient Near Eastern art?
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How does the artwork function in Egypt?
These images, whether statues or relief, were designed to benefit a divine or deceased recipient. Statuary provided a place for the recipient to manifest and receive the benefit of ritual action.
What were the conventions for depicting pharaohs?
They were depicted as equal to the gods and hierarchy of scale was employed often to accurately display their power and innate divinity.
How did the Egyptian religious beliefs affect their art and architecture?
The religion of the Ancient Egyptians affected their daily lives through the belief that floods, drought, and successful harvests were caused by the gods and goddesses.
Most of Egyptian art was for funerary purposes, such as the elaborately decorated tombs and pyramids which the pharaoh's were placed in.
Were there many stylistic changes throughout the course of ancient Egyptian art?
Over time, arcing from the Old Kingdom to the New Kingdom, sculptures and paintings became more expressive, the style was less imposing, the temples were built in hypo-style, hey were built in a post and lintel system. the most impressive temples in nubia in the new kingdom.
old kingdom art
(Dynasties 3-6, ca. 2649-2150 BC) was one of the most dynamic periods in the development of Egyptian art. pharoahs were idealized, and given great dignity. The sculpture is unified and balanced showing divinity. There are eighty odd pyramids that exist with the largest being the pyramid of Khufu. Three of them are from Old Kingdom pharaohs, and are the most impressive. The Old Kingdom was known as the age of pyramids. Their construction advanced from mastabas to the step pyramid which was a geometric form.
middle kingdom art
The political turbulence of this period had left doubt as to the pharaohs divine power, and the style was less imposing. Sesostris lll considered himself to be the shepherd of the people. Sculptures were more naturalist, and less imposing. Their bodies were more rounded, and their faces were more expressive.
New kingdom art
1580-1085 b.c., comprising the 18th to 20th dynasties, characterized by the predominance of Thebes. During this period the pharaohs reestablished control of the country, and expanded to regions around them. There were significant changes in architecture which effected their society and economy. It was during the New Kingdom that they built the most impressive temples in Nubia. Their tombs were impressive,but the temples in the New Kingdom were built in the hypo-style, and were impressive. They were built with the post and lintel system. One is located in Karnak, Egypt. At Abu Simbel, Nubia is the temple of Ramses ll with the rock cut facade of four huge statues of Ramses ll
The Amarna Period
(c.1349-1356 BC) was when Amenhotep lV set up a monotheistic religious system.
formal frontality
meaning they are arranged straight ahead, because they were designed to face the ritual being performed before them.
divine cult statues
were the subject of daily rituals of clothing, anointing, and perfuming with incense and were carried in processions for special festivals so that the people could "see" them (they were almost all entirely shrouded from view, but their 'presence' was felt).
Registers
Scenes were ordered in parallel lines, known as registers. These registers separate the scene as well as provide ground lines for the figures.
hierarchy of scale
Difference in scale was the most commonly used method for conveying hierarchy�the larger the scale of the figures, the more important they were. Kings were often shown at the same scale as deities, but both are shown larger than the elite and far larger than the average Egyptian.
hieroglyphs
a stylized picture of an object representing a word, syllable, or sound, as found in ancient Egyptian and other writing systems.
Faience
This quartz-based medium could be easily shaped, molded, and mass produced. glazed ceramic ware, in particular decorated tin-glazed earthenware of the type that includes delftware and maiolica.
raised relief
Sculptured work, carving, casting, or embossing that is raised above the plane of its background. In sculpture, any work in which the figures project from a supporting background, usually a plane surface.
sunk relief
sculptural relief in which the outlines of modeled forms are incised in a plane surface beyond which the forms do not project
mastaba
A flat-roofed rectangular brick or stone structure with sloping sides standing to a height of 17-20 feet (5-6 m);
ben-ben stone
is the top stone of the Egyptian pyramid. It is also related to the obelisk. Primeval mound[edit] In the Pyramid Texts, e.g. Utterances 587 and 600, Atum himself is at times referred to as "mound".
ka statue
is a type of ancient Egyptian statue intended to provide a resting place for the ka, or spirit, of the person after death.
ka
The ancient Egyptians believed the ka (or life-force), along with the physical body, the name, the ba (personality or soul), and the �wt (shadow), made up the five aspects of a person.
Amarna Period Art
during which the pharaoh Akhenaten made revolutionary changes to Egyptian religion, art, and society, including moving the capital to a new city, Akhetaten (near the modern town of Amarna). Was characterized by curvilinear forms and swollen bellies.
Great Pyramids of Gizeh
symbolic of the sun
the statue of Menkaure and Khamerernebty was executed in
dark schist (also called graywacke)
how is the human figure portrayed in the earliest art?
abstract stick figures generally holding weapons such as bows or spears
How has what survived influenced our views on the earliest art?
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What is the difference between Paleolithic and Neolithic art?
paleolithic: animals were painted realistically and there were more paintings.
neolithic: were more abstract and had more stationary art because they were not longer nomadic. they had more spinning, pottery, weaving, and building and built tombs for their dead.Hunting scenes show animals that are simplier and less-life like.