White Temple and its Ziggurat (Uruk [modern Warka, Iraq]. Sumerians. 3500-3000 B.C.E. Mud Brick)
Context:
Located in Iraq
Content:
40 feet tall
Tripartite plan
Rectangular central hall
Three entrances
White temple
North, west and east entrances
Chambers with northeast with wood shelves
North end contained a podium and altar
Found lion & leopard bones
Ziggurat
Raised platform with sloping sides
Has a stairway and has
Form:
Made out of mudrock and asphalt top
Whitewashed
Function :
For government and religious purpose
Rituals & sacrifices ( dedicated to Anu)
Palette of King Narmer (Predynastic Egypt. 3000-2920 B.C.E. Greywacke.)
Context:
Found in the temple of Horus
Made during the unification of lower and upper Egypt
For King Narmer
Content:
Contains The head of goddess Bat
King Narmer with a bull tail and a lower Egpytian custom (kilt)
Enemies decapitated and castrated
Bull (King Narmer) knocking down walls
Form:
Carved from a grayish siltstone
2 feet long
Function:
Used for grinding up makeup (ex: Eye makeup and lipstick)
Ceremonial; dedicated to a god
Was also an object placed in graves
Statues of Votive Figures, from the Square Temple at Eshnunna (modern Tell Asmar, Iraq) (Sumerians. 2900-2600 B.C.E. Gypsum inlaid with shell and black limestone)
Context:
Aspects of Mesopotamia religion is the votive figures
Worshippers set up statues so that the statues would worship in place of the owners when owners leave the shrine
Content:
Figure of male and female donors
Eyes are larger than hands (hierarchical scale)
Inscription - wish to be granted and/or ask a god to look upon worshipers favorably
Form:
Alabaster
Pedestal
1 feet 3 inches
Individualistic characteristics
Eyes made of lapis lazuli-
V-shaped bodies
Brows - dark shells, limestone,bitumen
Function:
Portable
Stand- in worshipper
Seated Scribe (Saqqara, Egypt. Old Kingdom, Fourth Dynasty 2620-2500 B.C.E. Painted Limestones)
i.
ii. iii.
i.
ii. iii.
iv.
Context:
Depicts a seated scribe Scribes were the one of the few people that could write and read Egyptian Scribes were used to write down history and records
Content:
Scribe holds a papyrus scroll Tranquil face = wisdom Scribe at work Sitting = position of royalty or respect
Form:
Body is limestone
Nipples are made of wood
Individualistic features
The scribe would have been placed on a description
Function:
For funerals
Created due to the respect the scribe had in society
Standard of Ur from the Royal Tombs at UR (modern Tell el-Muqayyar, Iraq). (Sumerian. 2600-2400 B.C.E. Wood inlaid with shell, lapis lazuli, and red limestone)
Context:
Found in south Iraq
Prosperous and fertile grounds
Found in the graves of Ur (one grave contained 74 sacrifices)
Content:
One side shows men bringing crops and fish
Another side is the war
Enemies of war- naked and bleeding given to the king
Divided into 3 registers
Hierarchical scale King is larger than others to show importance
Talons folding an arrow- symbol of war
Olive branch - symbol of peace
Form:
Mosaic tiles made from shells (from Persia), red limestone (from India), blue lapis lazuli (from Afghanistan)
Small; portable
Function:
Mostly unknown
Possibilities
Music box
Commemoration art
A wallet (something to hold currency)
Standard was a flag brought into battle (maybe held a flag in the past)
Great Pyramids of Giza (Menkaura, Khafre, Khufu) and Great Sphinx (Giza, Egypt. Old Kingdom, Fourth Dynasty. 2550-2490 B.C.E. Cut Limestone)
Context:
Tallest things for over 4000 years
People were buried with all the things they need in life
Cosway=elevated road led to nile-river
When dead=boat arrive up cosway funeral temple taken to pyramid
Pyramid of Khufu:
Tallest of the 3 (481ft), 2300000 blocks over 50 tons
king/queen chamber
Pyramid of Khafre:
2nds tallest but looks tallest because it’s on higher grounds
Contains a Sphinx: carved into the bedrock, symbol of royal power.
Lion with the head of Khafre
Pyramid of Menkaure:
Smallest (213 ft)
Most complex chambers of the 3
Held Menkaure’s black stones
Held many statues of the king
Content:
3 major pyramids for 3 rulers over 3 generations
Representations of the passages of the dead
Pyramids = close to cities
Form:
Bedrocks, corestones, Tura limestone, casing red granite, mortar, edges = aligned with cardinal points
Function:
Burial sites for kings
Royal mortuary complex
Social structure
Reflect solar cycle
King Menkaura and Queen (Old Kingdom, Fourth Dynasty. 2490-2472 B.C.E. Greywacke)
Context:
During the old kingdom during fourth dynasty
Menkaure was the son of Khafre
Content:
Depicts Egyptian king Menkaure and his wife(unsure who it is)
Wears traditional fake beard and headdress
Both are stepping forward with left foot shows stepping into the afterlife
Individualized & young facial and body characteristics
Menkaura is slightly taller than his wife
Both have nude upper bodies and wearing a skirt
Form:
No inscription
Made out old greywacke (hard to carve)
Rigid postures
Function:
Communicates the divinity of the pharaoh
Memorial structure
Used to make sure the pharaoh would reach the afterlife
The Code of Stele of Hammurabi (Babylon [modern Iran]. Susian. 1792-1750 B.C.E. Basalt)
Context:
Babyloain kingdom
King Hammurabi came into power
Content:
King Hammurabi receiving the code from the god of justice (Shamash)
Laws written in cuneiform
small register (showing right to be king)
Over 300 laws that governed Babyloian society
Law and punishments were severe
Form:
High relief
7.4 ft tall
Basalt rock
Function:
To show the laws and punishments that will be enforced by Hammurbi
Temple of Amun-Re and Hypostyle Hall (Karnak, near Luxor, Egypt. New Kingdom, 18th and 19th Dynasties. Temple: 1550 B.C.E.; Hall: 1250 B.C.E. Cut sandstone and mudbrick)
Context:
Heavily used New Kingdom
Temple: 1550 B.C.E.
Hall: 1250 B.C.E.
Certain areas = restrictive and only able to be accessed by elite
Currently in poor state due to lack of preservation
Content:
Pharaohs continued to add to it overtime
Clerestory lighting = natural and coming from opening above
Creates a sort of heavenly godly feeling
Existed in Karnak, near Luxor.
Egypt
Obelisk and sphinx make it Egyptian
Form:
Made of cut sandstone and mudbrick
Axis designed and created on the 4 cardinal direction points, had a both a north/south and an east/west axes
Hypostyle = columns hence the name one of the largest temple construction
Axial temple: longitudinal split symmetry
Pylon-long gate way/courtyard
Function:
Center of god Amun-Re
Also honors several Egyptain gods and goddess
Also known as the most select of places
Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut (Near Luxor, Egypt. New Kingdom, 18th Dynasty. 1473-1458 B.C.E. Sandstone, partially carved into a rock cliff, and red granite)
Context:
Hatshepsut = woman pharaoh
New kingdom
Hatshepsut wanted to prove that she was chosen to be Pharaoh
Content:
Kneeling statue of Hatshepsut - shows the masculine features of past Pharaohs (fake beard, deemphasized breast, and headdress) - 9 ft tall
Temple had a relief carvings and statues of the Pharaoh with the gods
Form:
Temple cut from a cliff side
Kneeling statue - made from granite
Temple had a colonnade terrace (aligned with the winter solstice )
Function:
Funerary temple to Pharaoh Hatshepsut
Akhenaton, Nefertiti, and Three Daughters (New Kingdom [Amarna], 18th Dynasty 1353-1335 B.C.E. Limestone).
Context:
Akhenaton changed the kingdom to only worshipping one god (Aten, the sun god )
Akhenaton and Nefertiti made themselves the representative of Aten iii.
Content:
Depicts Akhenaton, Nefertiti and his three daughters sitting on a throne
Aten is represented by a sun in the center
Ankhs (symbol of life) radiate from the sun toward the family
Shows family is connect to Aten
Form:
Bas - relief carving
Limestone
Disproportionate bodies
Softer body positions (sloping and relaxed forms)
Around 32 cm. high
stylistic
Function:
Meant to be apart of house altar
Iconography - depicts a god
Tutankhamun’s Tomb, innermost coffin (New Kingdom, 18th Dynasty. 1323 B.C.E. Gold with inlay of enamel and semi precious stones)
Context:
Tut is the son of Akhenaten and Nefertiti
Content:
Pharaoh Tut sarcophagus had three coffins for the kings body
Inner coffin was made out of solid gold
Outer coffins had gems like lapis lazuli and turquoise
Had a death mask
The pharaoh held a crook and flail (symbols of the Pharaoh’s right to rule)
Had depictions of Nekhbet (a vulture) and Wadjet (cobra)
Back of death mask is covered in a spell to help the Pharaoh get to the afterlife
Wore a fake beard
Form:
Innermost coffin was made out of gold
Gold with many different gems
Function:
Meant to protect the body of the pharaoh
Help the pharaoh reach the afterlife
Last judgement of Hu-Nefer, from his tomb. Book of the Dead (New Kingdom, 19th Dynasty. 1275 B.C.E. Painted papyrus scroll)
Context:
Book of Dead = text with spells, prayers and inscriptions that helped the dead in the afterlife
“Coffin Text’ instructions written on coffin
-
Horus 4 children are responsible for carving for Hunefer’s internal organs, represent 4 cardinal points
Art contains Egyptian conventions
Content:
Upper left = Hunefer speaking to deities explaining how he has lived a good ife and deserve to be in afterlife
Depicted in white robe
Led by Anubis=jackal- headed god who is carrying
an Ankh-symbol of eternal life
Anubis = seemed with a scale, weighing Hunefer’s heart with a feather, from Ma’at (associated with living an ethical, ordered life). If feather weighs more = ethical life. If heart weighs more=beast Ammit (crocodile lion, hippo beast) will devour, Hunefer’s heart = unethical life
Horus (a falcon head son of Osiris) hold an ankh introduces film to Osiris wife and Neftis (Osiris sister) stand behind ostris and join him in making judgment on Hunefer
Form:
Drawing/ painting on papyrus scroll
Function:
To prove Hunefer had lived an ethical life and deserved to enter the afterlife
Lamassu from the Citadel of Sargon II, Dur Sharrukin (modern Khorsabad. Iraq) (Neo- Assyrian. 720-705 B.C.E. Alabaster.)
Context:
Mesopotamia was often in war and being conquered by different people
Palace of Sargon
Founded the capital in modern day Khorsabad
Made during the height of Assyrian power
Content:
Human headed winged bull (protective genies called Lamassu) guarded entrances
Carved from a single block
The Lamassu has five legs
Curly long tail
Expressive eyes
Has a crown, detailed wings, double horns,decorations, beard, earrings
Looked as if it is moving forward if seen from the side
Form:
High relief
13.9 ft tall
Function:
A spiritual guardian figure of city and important places
Symbol of the kings power
Held up the citadel
Athenian Agora (Archaic through Hellenistic Greek. 600 B.C.E.-150 C.E. Plan)
Context:
Was invaded by the Perisans but was rebuilt later on
Citizens (male Athenians) were able to participate in government
Meritocracy and equality before the law
Content:
The stoa - government, business
Athena -patron goddess
Form:
Buildings were made out of marble
Function:
Originally a burial ground during the Bronze and Iron ages
Started as a market place then transformed into a government building
Progressed into a sacred temple dedicated to Athena
Anavysos Kouros (Archaic Greek. 530 B.C.E. Marble with remnants of paint)
Context:
During the Archaic period
First obtained iron tools
Unknown artist
Found in a cemetery Anavysos
Grave marker for Krisos
Content:
Young naked male
A little bit larger than life size
Kouros - youth
Set up by an aristocratic family
Form:
Idealized male body- strong and lean
Stiff body posture - influenced by egyptain art
Naked body
Neatly braided hair
Function:
It was very popular
Used as grave markers
Offerings to a god
Peplos Kore from the Acropolis (Archaic Greek. 530 B.C.E. Marble, painted details)
Context:
Created in 530 BCE
Unknown artist
Content:
Young maiden
A peplos robe
Arm extended while holding something
Rigid stance - Eqytian influence
Facial expression - transcendent & wise
Form:
Once brightly pigmented ( red hair colored eyes)
Missing left arm
Tightened wrist
Wearing a dress
Neatly braided hair
Function:
To honor or depict a goddess
Placeholder in front of a temple
Physical representation of a goddess
Sarcophagus of the Spouses (Etruscan. 520 B.C.E. Terra cotta)
Context:
Found in Etrusan tomb
Etrusans lived in northern Italy
Made in 520 BCE
Etrusan women held a higher importance
Content:
Deceased woman and man together in intimacy
Archaic smile
Both people are reaching out
The sarcophagus takes form of a bed
Form:
Painted terra cotta
High-relief
Relaxed figure
Function:
Grave marker
Audience Hall (apadana) of Darius and Xerxes (Persepolis, Iran. Persian. 520-465 B.C.E. Limestone)
Content:
72 columns, each 24 meters tall, extremely intricate
Columbs capitals = animals: bulls, eagles, lions, all symbol of royalty
2 monuments of staircases
The walls were carved with illustrations of hundreds of figures bringing offerings to the king from all the states conquered by Persian Empire
Form:
Carved primarily of limestone
The carvings on the wall were bas-relief
Display the importance and authority of King
Column capital = high relief
Hall = hypostyle architecture
Function:
Represents the expensive
nature of the Persian Empire and emperor’s power
Ceremonial Hall
Served as the center of Persian Empire’s capital
Temple of Minerva (Veii, near Rome, Italy) and sculpture of Apollo (master sculptor Vulca. 510-500 B.C.E. Original temple of wood, mudbrick, or tufa [volcanic rock]; terra cotta sculpture)
Context:
Found in Ertuscan
Content:
Long deep tufa - block foundations
Square footprint
Triple cellar (Three-room configuration)
Temple held masks, antefixes, decorative details
Terra cotta statues were once placed on the edge of the roof
Which was set up in a horizontal register
Form:
Terra cotta
Tufa - a porous rock similar to limestone
Doric columns
Stone foundations
Wood, mudbrick, terra cotta superstructure
Split into two
Deep front porch with wide space Tuscan columns
Triple cella
Back portion has triple cella
High podium
Function:
Dedicated to Minerva
Shows Etruscan assimilation of Greek gods
Values of the gods and goddess changed slightly for Etrucsan
Tomb of the Triclinium (Tarquinia, Italy. Etruscan 480-470 B.C.E. Tufa and Fresco)
Context:
Iron Age - peak of Etrsucan culture
Wealth based on natural resources
Iron from Greece and north Africa
Etruscans believed that the afterlife will be like life on Earth
Funerary customs
Did not bury people
Intricate funerals for members of the elite
Funerals had games, banquet, music and dancing
Tombs had furniture
Carved the deceased into the sarcophagus
Had a triclinium - three couched dining room
Tomb found in Tarquinia
Content:
Tomb has chambers
Painted fresco walls
Left wall - four dancers and a male musician
Right wall has a similar painting
One fresco painting is faded most likely had 3 couches with recliner diners and 2 attendants
Animals under couches
Men dressed in robes
Trees and shrubs
Nude cup bearer
Tomb ceiling is checkered
Form:
Fresco paintings
Cambers cut out of subterranean rock
Stylistic depictions
Angular and stiff postures
Gender depiction
Men - darker skin tone
Women - lighter skin tone
Function:
For funerary rituals
Contained the deceased and offerings to God
Shared a final meal with the deceased
Proportion of meal was left in
Reinforce social economic
Niobides Krater (Anonymous vase painter of Classical Greece known as the Niobid Painter. 460-45- B.C.E. Clay, red-figure technique [white highlights])
Context:
Methods: Throwing clay is centered or rotating wheels. While rotating, the potter pulls up the clay and forms it to desired shape. Turning and joining: Trimming superfluous and uneven clay to refine the shape of a vase/reduce the thickness walls. Burnishing: used to create smooth surfaces
Each period of time had it’s own techniques
Geometric period: geometric patterns
Orientalizing period: animals professions and near eastern motifs
Archaic and Classical Periods: vase displays human and mythological activities.
To produce the characteristic red and black colors: used liquid clay as paint
Content:
2 sides
Front: Niobe: 14 kids and bragged about it
Leto = mother of Apollo and Artemis. They got revenge for their mother by killing Niobe’s kid
Perfect profile
Artemis = reaching quiver for another arrow
Apollo = drawing his bow back
Niobe kids = more frontal
Back: Hercules holding club and wearing lion skin
Athena = left
Maybe it's not a painting of Hercules, maybe Greek soldiers are coming to honor him and ask for protection
Form:
Figure = stiff, early classical period, severe style. Made of clay
Function:
Type of Vessel = calyx-krater
Large purch bowl
Used to mix water and wine
Doryphoros (Spear Bearer) (Polykleitos. Original 450-440 B.C.E. Roman copy [marble] of Greek original [bronze])
Context:
Found in palestra (place for athletes to work in) in Pompeii
One of the most copied sculpture in Greeks
Created at time when Greeks were in awe of the mathematics of perfection of human body
Manipulated symmetry
Graceful arrangement of the body based on tilted shoulders and hips and bent knees
Content:
Celebrates the human body, it's beauty, and strength
Earliest examples of contrapposto: s-shaped curve off his spine, better balance, weight on his right foot, more naturalistic, tilted life-like appearance
Strong sense of harmony: Left arm/ right leg=relaxed, right arm/left leg=tensed
Broad shoulders/thick torso, muscular
Hold an iron spear
Depicts everyone ideal self
Form:
White marble
Subtractive sculpture
Life size=84 inches
Function:
People can learn from it
Understand proportions
Canons - a set of guidelines, outlining the ideal man based on ratios and measurements
Showcase the beauty
Acropolis (Athena, Greece. Iktinos and Kallikrates. 447-410 B.C.E. Marble.)
Context:
has been ransacked and burnt, blown up, etc multiple times
Content:
there are multiple buildings most notably the Parthenon, Temple of Nike, old Temple of Athena, Altar of Athena Polias, Rome and Augustus altar, Athena Promachos, Erechtheion, and Propylaea. All with unique detail and purpose.
Form:
Extremely large, classical period
Function:
Most important religious center in Greece
Grave Stele of Hegeso (Attributed to Kallimachos 410 B.C.E. marble and paint)
Context:
Diphlon cemetery in Athens
Hegeso: woman, domestic, basically in a house on the stele: 2 walls and a roof
Not citizens of Athens
Women were defined by their relationship to men
noble , her father grave plot was super magnificent
Attributed to the sculptor Kallimachos
Content:
Relief sculpture of Hegeso and servant girl
Servant holds jewelry box and Hegeso holds and look at a necklace (dowry)
Drapery: elaborate forms and swirls, very close to her body
She does not touch the ground: her foot is on a pedestal
Inscription says Hegeso, daughter of Proxenos
Form:
Stele 5’2”
Detailing of drapery: naturalistic, follows fold of body
Function:
Grave stones
Winged Victory of Samothrace (Hellenistic Greek 190 B.C.E Marble)
Context:
Stands on the prow of a huge marble ship to spread the messages
Had huge impact on the traditions of western art that followed
Louvre in Paris, France
Content:
Depicts Nike = goddess of victory
Missing her head and both arms but used to hold a trumpet or cupping her hand around her mouth to announce a naval victory
The way her body is sculpted=creates a spiraling effect: her wings reach back her chest forward, her feet down
Wet drapery technique
Form:
Over 9ft tall
Made of Thasian and Parian marble
Was found in temple complex on the island of Samothrace called sanctuary of the Great Gods
Function:
statue=ex-voto (offering to deity) most commemorate a naval victory
The offering would serve to gain the deities favor protecting sailors and armies against storms and enemies.
Great Altar of Zeus and Athena at Pergamon (Asia Minor [present day Turkey]. Hellenistic Greek. 175 B.C.E. Marble [architecture and sculpture])
Context:
Geographically desirable
Pergamon Museum: tried to recreate it
Content:
Battle of Greek myth pantheon of gods V.S. giant to determine the controller of the universe
Athena
Fights Alkyoneus, main giant, as his mother looks in horror
Appears triumphant as she fights
Being crowned by winged Nike
Uses battle shakes to aid in defeating the Giants
Gigantoleira= slayer of the giants.
Zeus:
Battles 3 giants at once with help of an eagle (above) and his lightning bolt
Cloaked in realistically ruffled robes
2 of 3 giants he had already defeated
Form:
35.64×33.4 metres
High relief sculpture
More prominent gods and figures=higher relief
Function:
Worship of Greek gods
Representation of Greek power
Sacrifices=made on top of stairs
House of the Vettii (Pompeii, Italy. Imperial Roman. Second century B.C.E.; rebuilt 62- 79 C.E. Cut stone and fresco)
Context:
House owned by Aulus Vettius Conviva and his brother, Aulus Vettius Restitutus
Conviva= Augutalis- a position at the highest civic office a freeman could attain
Content:
Wall painting=decorative schema
4th style wall painting=expansive
Contains large central Halls (Atria)
Largest of room opening on peristyle contains painting in red/black
Mythical winged gods of Love
Impluvium (water basin) lies at center of atrium for collecting rain
Increasingly sexual nature of paintings and artwork marks a decline in Pompeii moral standards
Phallic figures god priapus, females being sexual, and depictions of nude males symbolizes fertility
Painting depicts Cupid collecting grapes
Form:
Covers 1,100 sq meters
Demonstrates Pompeii’s late artistic and architectural style
The house paintings=indicate a theme of forward-thinking
Function:
2 lockrooms for storing valuables were displayed proudly in the vestibulum
The brothers went from freedmen to very wealthy
Alexander Mosaic from the House of the Faun, Pompeii (Republican Roman 100 B.C.E. Mosaic)
Context:
Found in the city of Pompeii which was preserved in ash after the eruption of Mount Vesuvius
It was found in the House of Faun, named after the bronze statue of a faun found there
The Battle of Issus (333 BC) which was a turning point in ancient history because the ruler of Persia (Darius III) is ordering a retreat of his troops
Darius has a look of desperation and history says that Alexander pitied his family and let them live
Alexander is not depicted in his typical form here. It's; more natural
Content:
Depicts the Battle of of Alexander the Great and Darius III
Very dramatic and chaotic scene with a sense of mentum as the massive chariot is turning around
Excellent use of foreshortening in the horse
Alexander breastplate has Medusa’s head, which was used as a magical protection spell from evil, it also symbolizes divine birth
Form:
Floor mosaic, 2.72 by 5.13 meters
Made from more than one million and a half pieces of stones and glass
Possibly based on a wall painting done in 315 B.C.E. hellenistic period by a greek artist named Philoxenos because it matches a description of the painting written by Pliny
Function:
Found in the House of Faun which was the nicest mansion found in Pompeii which means it was piece of art aristocrats would have invested in for perhaps their own enjoyment and for the enjoyment of guests
Seated Boxer (Hellenistic Greek. 100 B.C.E. Bronze)
Context:
Breaking away from the traditional idealized, heroic male nude
Still holding onto the pre-hellenisitic ideas: his body is idealized with perfect muscles but in contrast, his posture and face show humanity
Content:
The humanity found in this work creates a sense of presence
Muscular, powerful, and defeated
Covering his head and face is bits of copper which posed next to the bronze resembles blood, covering his face and hands with wounds
Form:
Lost wax casting (hollow cast)
Seated posture
Made in different sections that were welded together
Broken nose and shattered teeth
Function:
Attributed with healing powers
Represents the cultural shift of the Hellenistic period
Could have been a votive statue dedicated to a boxer
Identifying him as the boxer of Quirinal
Could be made to represent the culture of boxing in Ancient Greece.
Head of a Roman Patrician (Republican Rome 75-50 B.C.E. Marble)
Context:
Patricians= worked in senate, wealthy and educated
Male gaze
Content:
Wrinkled and toothless with w/ sagging jowls
Physical traits meant to convey seriousness of mind and the virtue of a public career by showing the mark of the endeavors.
Wrinkles and other sign of ageing on this portrait serve to point out his admirable qualities of experience, seriousness and determination
Form:
Otricoli, head
1’2” High
Marble
Polychromed (painted in several colors)
Terracotta was used and then painted with encaustic (otherwise referred to as a hot wax process)
Veristic style=verism
A form of realism (hyper-realistic)
Over exaggerated
Influenced by the tradition of ancestral imaginations. Death wax masks of notable ancestors were kept and display by the family
Function:
Displays respect
Symbolizes wisdom, determination, experience, valor, and strength of Roman Republicans
Augustus of Prima Porta (Imperial Roman. Early first century C.E. Marble)
Context:
Augustus claims to be reestablishing the senate but in reality is stabilizing Rome so he can be Rome first real emperor
Utilize canon of proportions
Cupid rides a dolphin and symbolizes Augustus win in battle of Actium
Cupid=show Augustus ancestors=Aeneas and Caesar
Content:
Political significance, filled with Roman political ideology
Idealized statue of him, very young and attractive
Cupid is pulling down his garment at his ankle symbolizes his own divine lineage
The cuirass or breast plate depicts the god of the sky and goddess of the Earth, divine convergence on his sides=female personification of the nations conquered by Rome.
Sun God and Sky God (Sol and Caclus) are at top of Cuirass and shines down on all part of the Empire
Form:
Found in the villa of Livia (his wife) at Prima Porta
Free standing, sculpture in the round
Bas Relief carving on breast plate
Standing contrapposto
Function:
Propaganda: the statue shows the positive qualities wanted to portray himself to the people in godlike way
Demonstrating Augustus military power
Colosseum (Flavian Amphitheater) (Rome. Italy. Imperial Roman. 70-80 C.E. Stones and concrete)
Context:
Original called Flavian Amphitheater
Named after the family who paid for the Colosseum
Later was referred to as the Colosseum
Vespasian built this as a gift to the Greek people
Showed the social statues based on where a person was sitting
POWs , slaves and no-citizens (besides women) were able to fight for their freedom
Content:
Had vaults and arches
Oval shaped
Four amin levels
1-3 levels had arched windows
4 levels had no solid wall no windows( for slaves foreigners and women)
Flat stage with sand in the center
Sand was to absorb blood and bodily fluids
The hypogeum
The underground part of the colosseum
Had animal pens, trap doors, and a network
Level 1 - tuscan
Level 2 - ionic
Level 3 - Corthian
Velarium
A retractable awning that was used as shade for onlookers
Form:
Oval Amphitheater (stadium)
To Greek theaters put together
Inner ring made from concrete
Outer ring made from Travertine ( limestone)
Held 50,000 -80,000 people
Covers 6 acres
50 meters high
189 meters long
156 meters wide
Function:
Public entrainment
Battles and swordfights
Forum of Trajan (Rome, Italy. Apollodorus of Damascus. Forum and markets: 106-112 C.E.; column completed 113 C.E. Brick and concrete [architecture]; marble [column].)
Context:
Fora- open city
Were found in any Roman city at the heart
Always included a temple
Trajan had expanded the Roman Empire to all over the Mediterranean
Content:
Commemorate the Trajan’s victories
Highlights of when the Trajan defeated the Dacians
Shows his proud military acts
Full of Greek and Roman literature
Form:
Apollodorus of Damascus was the engineer
Had a massive entrance way
Column of Trajan 1.
Past the forum was Basilica Ulpia
Was filled with structures, carving
Laid the foundation of modern cruciform church
Function:
Commemorate the victories and accomplishments of the Trajan
Solidified power and greatness
Worked as civic, ceremonial space
Pantheon (Imperial Roman. 118-125 C.E. Concrete with stone facing)
Context:
Commissioned by Hadrian
Most influential building in the Renaissance
Inscription above doorway, reads tribute to Marcus Agibba
Content:
Fitted in bronze, pediment-sculpture that acted out the battle of titans, 8 arches=housed statues of deities & emperors,
Statues of Augustus & Agrippa stood in Apse at the end of colonnaded side aisles of entrance
Huge amount of geometric representation, floor=concentric circles/squares
Almost all of it's mathematically proportioned
Hole in the Dome=oculus
One great window, when it rains water comes in
Form:
Reflects the movement of the heavens because of how sharp circle of light moves across building
Corinthian columns= monolithic
porch = rectilinear, upon entry the space opens up into a curvilinear, radial interior
Structural system looks like it is based on a series of interesting arches-8 in total all where deities would have been housed on the interior
Lighter materials used at the top of the dome
141 feet tall
Function:
Originally used as a temple to the gods, then made into a church
Hadrian would hold court
Pope used as a Catholic Church
Expression of Hadrian wealth
Oculus’s light functions as sundial.
Ludovisi Battle Sarcophagus (Late Imperial Roman 250 C.E. Marble)
Context:
Sarcophagus start to appear more commonly in the beginning of 2nd century
Found near a tomb near porta tiburtina (gate in the Aurelian walls of Rome)
More focus on interaction between the people
Typical style of Late Imperial rome=emotional subject matters
Borrows from Greeks in battle from art. Depth of imagers actions and interactions departure from Greek Arts
Content:
Roman=good guys in this piece, idealized, confident, young looking
The goths=Barbarians/Gauls (western Europe)=enemy, portrayed disdainfully
The hero=center, clear focal point, open-chested, strong, armoured, no weapon, no helmet=invincible
Movement is key in this piece
Narrative piece
Form:
Very high relief
Detailed carving, at some point the piece has 4 layers of figures on top of one another
The figures along bottom are physically smaller, makes viewer feel like they are looking down upon them
Uses contrast of light and darkness to guide a viewer’s eye
Function:
Created to mark the grave of a rich, unidentified Roman
Catacomb of Priscila (Rome, Italy. Late Antique Europe 200-400 C.E. Excavated tufa and fresco)
Context:
Underground, in the north of Rome
The oldest part of the catacombs: closest to the entrance of Priscilla’s villa
A place where the earliest Christians were buried
Content:
10km or more than 5 miles wide
At least 40,000 tombs
Multiple sarcophagus for family members
Scenes from the bible are depicted on the wall
Book of Daniel
Form:
Cubiculum
Passageways are stacked on top of each other
Roman first style painting: Building up of plaster on wall to look like marble
Function:
Burial location for the actual members of Priscilla’s family
Not a place for worship
Santa Sabina (Rome, Italy. Late Antique Europe 422-432 C.E. Brick and Stone, wooden roof)
Context:
In Rome, atop a hill
Example of an ancient Constantinian basilica
Roman Chrisitians chose it as the basis of their new churches
Content:
Windows made of selenite
Colonnade with side aisle on each side
ii. Walls broken up into entablatures
i
i
v. Clerestory windows line the upper entablatures of the nave
Form:
Spacious longitudinal nave
Lights from windows manipulated to create a spiritual effect
Function:
Early Christian church
To impress the view and inspire them to follow Chrisitianity
Rebecca and Eliezer at the Well and Jacob Wrestling the Angel, from the Vienna Genesis (Early Byzantine Europe. Early sixth century C.E. Illuminated manuscript [tempera, gold, and silver no purple vellum])
Context:
Early Byzantine
Used the church to back the authority of the emperor
Iconoclast controversy (726-843)
Content:
Between realistic and abstract
Patrons value of symbolism and abstraction
Written in Greek
Calls back to Romanesque
Typical Byzantine art
Form:
Continuous narrative
Animal skin pages
Manuscript of the first book of the Bible
Function:
Probably read by a royal individual
Not only aimed to depict stories of the Bible but also be symbol of the owners piety
San Vitale (Ravenna, Italy. Early Byzantine Europe. 526-547 C.E. [Brick, marble, and stone veneer, mosaic])
Context:
Built after the split of the Roman empire
Made under the rule of Ostrogoths
A place of worship
Content:
Focus on the center of the central plan
Lots of Christian iconography and symbols of Christs
Form:
Centrally planned basilica
Windows for lighting
Ambulatory
Byzantine church
Function:
Primarily to worship the Christian god
Glorify the Byzantine Emperor Justinian and Empress Theodora
A reminder of the power of the Byzantine empire
Hagia Sophia, Istanbul (Constantiople (Istanbul) Anthemius of Tralles and Isidorus of Miletus 532-537 ce Brick and ceramic elements with stone and mosaic veneer)
Context:
Commissioned by Emperor Constantine
Current version of the building is its 3rd time being built because of previous fires caused by riots
Iconoclasm
Content:
Longitudinal and centrally planned Basilica
Dome is on top of a square
This is called a pendentive
Four Minarets
Mihrab
Arabic calligraphy
Form:
Two floors centered on a giant nave with a great domed ceiling, along with smaller domes
Centrally and longitudinally planned Basilica
Function:
Cathedral
Mosque (1453)
Museum (1934)
Merovingian Looped Fibulae (Early Medieval Europe. Mid-sixth century C.E. [Silver gilt worked in filigree, with inlays of garnets and other stones])
Context:
Fibulae are brooches that were made popular by Roman military campaigns
Became popular in the early Middle Ages and commonly found n barbarian grave sites
Cultural exchanges occurred after antiquity and both groups (Barbarians and Romans) copied and shared similar works
Merovingian: a popular motif in barbarian art of the middle ages: eagles (found on the work)
Content:
Cloisonne: technique is inlaid semi-precious stones (popular in barbarian art)
Ends of Fibulae: the shape of Eagle heads
Garnets: used to decorate the eyes of the eagles
The main body of the brooch: little fish
Gems and semi-precious stones: used to decorate the rest of the fibulae
Form:
Stylized variation of the crossbow fibula (remember diverse ethnics groups all had their own spin to their fibulas!)
Function:
A brooch or a pin for fastening clothing (safety pin)
Expensive objects to the commission: the owners wanted these objects to resonate with their identity
Buried with the dead: showed their status and who they were as people
Virgin (Theotokos) and Children between Saints Theodore and George (Early Byzantine Europe. Sixth or Early seventh century C.E. Encaustic on Wood)
Context:
A transitional piece
Classical antiquity The height of
Byzantine Chrisitianity
A mix of Greek/Roman aesthetics with the emerging Byzantine aesthetics
Created in the era in which Constantinople restored and created dozens of churches
Content:
Spatial ambiguity makes the piece feel otherworldly and divine
Subjects = the Virgin, the Christ child, Saint Theodore, Saint George, two angels, God
The Virgin
Center of the icon
Seated on a throne elevated
No eye contact with viewer
Highlighted by Heaven’s light (connected to God)
The Christ Child
In the Virgin’s lap
No eye contact like his mother
The Saints
St. Theodore = on the left; St. George = on the right
Flank the Virgin on either side
Front of the frame (closest to our world of all the subjects)
Emotionless and erect (stare directly at the viewer)
Feet slightly lifted off the ground (mark of divinity)
The Angels
Above and between the Virgin and the soldier saints
Looking directly upwards to the hand of God
Dressed in all white and have slight halos
Highest in the frame and furthest back
God
Represented by hand emerging from the center
His power is seen through the light emanating from his hand
The light mostly lands upon the Virgin
Form:
An encaustic icon painting
Encaustic = a painting technique that uses wax as a medium to carry the color
Uses gold leaf
Function:
A private devotional object (to help them express their appreciation for God and enhance their spirituality)
Lindisfarne Gospels (Early medieval [Hiberno Saxon] Europe 700 C.E. illuminated manuscript)
Context:
Illuminated by the bishop Eadfrith; made to honor God and St. Cuthbert
Lindisfarne = island off the coast of Northumberland in England
Produced in the British Isles 500- 900 C.E.
Made in Italy
Codex- bounded book
Matthew= human (animal symbol)
John=eagle (animal symbol)
Mark= lion (animal symbol)
Content:
St. Matthew Page
Hiberno- Saxon art
Straightforward
A series of repetitive knots and spirals
Ribbons are contained of abstract animals twisted
Centrally located cross
Stacked wine glasses coming together into a cross
Luke’s page
Abstract animals (snakes)
Spiraled forms and swirling vortexes
Gold letters: NIAM
Luke’s portrait page
Curly haired evangelist (Luke) sitting on a red-cushioned stool
Luke holds a quill in hand
Feet hover over a tray
Wearing purple robe with streaks of red
Gold halo shows divinity
Above his head a flying calf clasping a green parallelogram=reference to gospel
Eyes turned toward the viewer
John’s cross carpet page
Interplay of stacked birds
One bird has blue and pink stripes (stripes = chaos in medieval)
Form:
Ink pigment and gold vellum
Function:
Some are Introduction pages of next content (John’s cross carpet: introduction to John’s gospel)
Visual representation of people from the Bible
Great Mosque (Cordoba, Spain. Umayyad 785-786 C.E. Stone masonry)
Content:
Large hypostyle prayer hall
Interior space seems magnified by its repeated geometry
Sense of awe and monumentality
Mihrab
Focal point in the prayer hall
Framed by a famously decorated arch called the horseshoe arch
Ribbed dome
Above the mihrab
Intricate composition of crisscrossing arches
Demonstrated the mathematical and architectural accomplishments if the Islamic civilisation
Lavishly covered with gold mosaic in a radial pattern
A courtyard with a fountain in the center
A minaret (now encased in a square, tapered bell tower)
Minaret = tower used to call the faithful to prayer
Minbar
Used to stand by the mihrab as the place for the prayer leader & a symbol of authority
Repeating elements (columns, arches, voussoirs)
The structural repetition suggests the same kind of repetition in prayer
Mosaics
Inscriptions from the Quran
Intricate patterns/designs formed by the tesserae (tiles within a mosaic)
Context:
Multi-cultural influence seen in the art
Ancient Roman columns in a hypostyle prayer hall
Horseshoe arches
Roman & visigoth architectural structure
Islamic architecture characteristic
Began as a Roman temple
Temple converted into a church by the visigoths
Umayyad conquerors converted the church into a mosque
Site was practical and symbolic
Place that affirmed Islam prescence
Islamic civilization
Caliphates had classical Latin works translated into Arabic
Gained mathematical knowledge from India
Learned the invention of paper from China
Form:
Mosque - place of Islamic worship
Function:
To represent the presence of the Umayyads in Cordoba
Place of worship
Followers pray towards the mihrab (which faces Mecca)
Represents a fusion of cultures & religions
Pyxis of al-Mughira: (Umayyad 968 C.E. Ivory)
Context:
A Pyxis is a cylindrical container
Best example of tradition of carved ivory in Islamic Spain
Comes from the royal workshop of Madinat al-Zahra
Currently located in the Louvre
Content:
The pyxis is decorated with four eight-lobed medallions
Each medallion has princely iconography
Humans and animals play a big part in their iconography
Form:
Carved ivory from an elephant tusk
Ivory was durable, smooth, and easy to carve (made it desirable to make into pyxides)
Inlaid jade and other precision stones
Highly portable (most often given as gifts)
Function:
Were given to members of the royal family
Specifically given on memorable days such as marriage, birth, or coming of age
Later they were given to important allies they claimed their allegiance to the Umayyads
Its technical function was carry perfumes and other cosmetics
Church of Sainte-Foy Conques, (France. Romanesque Europe. Church: c. 1050–1130 ce; Reliquary of Saint Foy: ninth century ce, with later additions)
Context:
Pilgrims went to receive a blessing; their visitation = demonstration of piety
That church was also an abbey: it was part of a monastery where monks lived, prayed, and worked
A church had stood on the spot since the 600s
Content:
Barrel-vaulted nave, with arches on the interior
Prominent transept
Elaborately carved Tympanum on the South Portal of Christ and the Last Judgement
Semi-circular relief carving above the doors to the central portal
Christ sits enthroned at the center
His right hand gestures up, towards heaven, on the side of the saved
His left hand gestures down, towards hell, on the side of the damned
Below the saints on Christ's right: an arcade covered by a pediment, symbolizing the House of Paradise
Houses the blessed/saved; people who will live with Christ forever
Abraham is seated at the center
Above Abraham, the Hand of God reaches out to a kneeling Sainte Foy (Saint Faith)
On the pediment's opposite side, right under the enthroned Christ's feet, angels open and release souls from their graves to be weighed/judged by God to determine if they're going to Heaven or to hell.
A large doorway leads to paradise
A gaping mouth leads to hell
Clear divide in faith
Pediment of the Lower register of Hell
Centrally-seated Devil sits, grinning, surrounded by tortured, screaming souls
Figures in intense pain, panic, chaos, and cruelty surround him
All represent some capital sin (adultery, gluttony, arrogance, misuse of church offices)
Devil sits enthroned like Christ: he has the power to Judge and decide punishments for the damned
On the Devil's left: a hanged man, representing Judas
He hanged himself after he betrayed Christ
Form:
Romanesque pilgrimage church
Cruciform plan
Cross commemorates Christ's sacrifice
Helped crowd-control
Pilgrims traveled around the ambulatory and radiating chapels, paying homage to saints' shrines
Function:
To host pilgrims on their journey to Santiago de Compostela in Spain
To bless its visitors, demonstrate their piety, and help them be saved on Judgment day
To inspire (or scare) Christians into behaving in a holy manner that would ultimately lead them to Heaven
Reminder to both pilgrims and monks/clergymen
There was a lot of misuse of church offices at the time (even though it was a sin)
To venerate Christ, and commemorate his sacrifice on the cross as a second chance for mankind's salvation
Bayeux Tapestry (Romanesque Europe (English or Norman). c. 1066–1080 ce. Embroidery on linen)
Context:
Shows the Battle of Hastings in 1066
But begins with events leading up to it
Shows William of England, the Duke of Normandy, and Harold, the Earl of Wessex that occurred in 1066
Textile is missing it's end which most likely showed William as King
Tapestry created in Canterbury 1070
Believe that the patron was Odo, Bishop of Bayeux, William’s half brother
Tapestry depicts Normans nicely in the events
Inscriptions has Odo
Content:
75 scene with Latin inscriptions
First meal
Calvary and foot soldiers
Form:
Not a true tapestry because it's not woven into the cloth: high quality of the needle work suggests Anglo-Saxon embroiderers
Eight colors
Unrealistic: 1d, flat, no depth or space perception, splits into 3 sections (thin top and bottom and larger middle section) in an attempt to show depth/foreground and background)
Top and bottom also function as borders
Function:
To commemorate the win of the Normans
And to give a (semi) accurate depiction of the war
Chartres Cathedral (Chartres, France. Gothic Europe. Original construction c. 1145–1155 ce; reconstructed c. 1194–1220 ce. Limestone, stained glass)
Context:
Long history of use as a Christian space: used for Christian worship
Associated with the worship of the Virgin Mary
The Romanesque church on the original site burned down in 1194–but the tunic was found three days later, unharmed
The people of the town took this as a divine message that they should rebuild the church so that it would be as grand and beautiful as possible, deserving to be the worship place of Mary
Content:
Everything about the church was chosen by architects in the effort to create “heaven on Earth”
One of the best examples of Gothic cathedrals
New focuses on more airy, open spaces; thinner walls, and geometry
People used the perfect proportions of geometry to try to simulate and bring to mind the balance, harmony, and beauty of the world that God had created
Jamb figures
The relief figures that are carved into either side of the portals/doorways
Kings and queens of the Old Testament
Carved in Gothic style
Representations of spiritual beings
They seem to levitate
Their drapery obscures their bodies
Meant to represent gatekeepers: they “watch” the people in a kindly and calm way as they enter the church
Gothic emphasis on stained glass
Large windows
“Floating planes of light”
Light was seen as a divine symbol because it was beautiful and immaterial
Vivid, rich colors used in the glass
Large rose window in the north transept
North transept portal has intricate jamb figures
Relief archivolt sculptures protrude many feet from the side of the church, almost forming their own chapel
The chancel screen (aka a screen separating the area around the altar from the larger nave) once sported an astrological clock that told the day of the week, the month of the year, the time of sunrise and sunset, the phase of the moon and the current zodiac sign
Form:
The formal plan of the Church is a Latin cross with three aisles, a short transept, and an ambulatory
Three part elevation of nave arcade, triforium, and clerestory
Uses pointed arches and ribbed vaults inside the body of the church, which is very typically Gothic
Everything was meant to move the eye upward
The radiating chapels were integrated into the larger area of the church, which allowed for light to permeate all parts of the church
Based on a cruciform basilica plan, with a transept intersecting the nave being added after the fire
Transept provided an extra entrance/exit, which was good for the flow of people
Chartres has nine portals
Function:
Hugely popular pilgrimage site
People could walk all the way around the church, see the relic, and exit
Embarked on pilgrimages in order to gain health, divine goodwill, or to ensure their place in heaven during the afterlife
Many components, such as the guardian jamb-figures and the stories told in the stained glass, were constructed to aid in the pilgrims' journey; the jamb figures reminded the pilgrims of the ever-present merciful eyes of God and the angels
The first cathedral in which the flying buttresses determined the overall exterior aesthetic plan of the building
Dedication Page with Blanche of Castile and King Louis IX of France, Scenes from the Apocalypse from Bibles moralisees (Gothic Europe. c. 1225–1245 ce. Illuminated manuscript)
Context:
In 1226, the French king died and the queen was left to rule until their son became the age to rule
Their son Luis IX took the throne in 1234
Moralized bibles were often made for royalty
Content:
Depicts the Queen Blanche of Castile and her son Louis IX and a cleric and a scribe around shown below them
sophisticated, urban setting
Illustrated the New and Old Testament
Included explanatory text about the Bible and Biblical events
Was used to teach Louis IX about moral obligations and religion
In the upper register the king and queen wear a Fleur-de-lys (a stylized iris or lily flower)
The Queen wears a white widow’s wimpled and raises her hand towards Louis IX
The Queen’s gesture - shows link between Heaven and Earth( similar gesture of Mary to Christ)
The ceric wears a sleeveless robe (a sign of divine services)
Tilts his head forward
Points his finger toward the artist
The artist wears a blue surcoat and a cap while sitting on the couch
Has a knife in one hand and a feather in the other
Form:
Gold background
Stylized and colorful buildings shown towering above the Queen’s and her son’s head
Gold, lapis lazuli, green, red, yellow, grey, orange, and sepia
Function:
Used to teach Louis IX moral obligations and religious events
Was delicate to him
Shows right to rule through divine right
Rottgen Pieta (Late medieval Europe 1300-1325 C.E painted wood)
Context:
Depictions of Christ on the cross would demonstrate the Christus triumphans
Greco Crucifixion showed suffering
Reflects mysticism as it is a holy object that would have been prayed to
Was common in German abbeys
Late gothic period of the middle ages
Content:
Spirituality, mysticism, and pure emotion is shown in Mary’s face as she hold the beaten and tortured Christ
Sharp crown of thorns
3D blood and wounds (very violent and gruesome)
Mary draped in heavy fabrics suffering
Extremely skinny and contorted body of Jesus
Form:
Painted wood
Damage (worm holes in Mary’s head and less pigment)
Function:
Used to force the viewer to examine the emotion
Would have been on an altar
Arena (Scrovegni) Chapel including lamentation (Padua, Italy Unknown architect Giotto di Bondone (artist) Chapel 1303 C.E. Fresco 1305 C.E. Brick architecture and fresco)
Context:
Called the arena chapel because it is close to arena
Patrons were the Scrovegni family
Private devotional art
Painted by Giotto
Content:
Narrative scenes
3 registers of narrative
Top: Yoakim and Anna’s (Christ’s grandparents) and the birth and life of Mary
Middle: scenes of Christ’s life
Bottom: passion
Wall fresco : Last Judgement
Encro (who patron this) is on the side blessed, giving the chapel to Mary
The lamentation
Apart of the passion scenes
Transitory work
from middle ages to renaissance
Illusionism - having architectural elements- for an earthly, not the typical gold background
Humanism- figures interacting with each other (ex: kissing and crying)
Lamentation
Christ being mourned by his followers and Mary
Mary holding her dead child in her arms
She is extremely sad and upset
Angels mourning too (tearing at clothes and hair)
All eyes lead to Christ
The hill is straight line to christ
Symbols
Dead tree- will grow again
Mary Magdalene at Christ’s feet with her red hair
Form:
Fresco, Illusion of space, Chapel covered fresco, Flat figure, Fake marbles panels
Uses lapis lazuli
Secco fresco
Foreshortening is used
3D figures
Pre linear perspective
Function:
Atone for the sin of usurer
Bankers were considered ursarers
Private devotional art
Golden Haggadah (Late Medieval Spain. C.1320 CE. Illuminated manuscript (pigments and gold leaf on vellum)
Context:
Painted in Barcelona
Made in Romanesque/Gothic period
Jewish art and Christain influences
It was forbidden to depict images like this at that time
Content:
Haggadah means narration
The history of Passover
Salvation from slavery from Egypt
Form:
Illuminated manuscript
Gold lead of vellum
Golden background
Christian gothic influences
Long following bodies
Function:
Depicted the story of Passover to be read at seder
Used mostly at owner’s house
Showed the wealth of the owner
Significance of of Jewish culture
Alhambra (Granada, Spain Nasrid Dynasty 1354- 1391 C.E. Whitewashed adobe stucco, wood, tile, paint and gliding)
Context:
Alhambra is abbreviation of Qal’at Alhambra
Built by the Nasrid Dynasty (the last Musliums to rule Spain)
Muhammad ibn Yusuf created the Nasrid Dyansty
The Palace of Lions was created by Muhammad V
Content:
The hall of two sisters
16 windows at the top of the hall
Honeycomb stalactites
5,000 murquras reflecting light
Was used for receptions and music
Has a palace of lions
Contains different palaces, gardens, wtaerpools, fountains and courtyards
Palace of lions
Separate building that was connected later
Arched over patios that encircles a marble fountain
Contained resident halls with star motifs
The Partal Palace aka the Portico
Portico in the center of the arcade and at the edge of the pool
Comares Palace
Arched grill allows light in
Walls have inlaid tile with geometric pattern
Salon de Comares (hall of ambassadors)
Jannat alafia (means paradise and garden)
Vegetables and ornamental objects in the garden
Form:
Covered with decorations
A lot of rhombus geometric forms and calligraphy
Fake arches
Rich ceramics and plasterwork
Intricate carved wooden frames
Murqunas holding up the ceiling Hall of kings
Mocrabe vault can be seen in the Hall of two Sisters
Ornamental elements
Carved stucco decoration
Reflecting water
Shaded patios
Courtyards and gardens
Function:
Palace for the Nasrid Sultans
Medina (city)
Annunciation Triptych (Merode Altarpiece) (Tournai, South Netherlands. c. 1427-32 CE. Made by the Workshop of Robert Campin. Oil on oak)
Context:
Campin was a successful painter in Northern Europe
Annunciation was painted first then the side doors were added
Content:
Center scene is Mary and Gabriel
Gabriel appeared to Mary to tell her about her becoming pregnant with Christ
The drapery has sharp folds fell onto unseen bodies and floor
Shiny pot = Mary’s virginity
Many object representing incarnation
The holy spirit coming to the window holding the cross
The patrons (husband and wife) are on the left of the painting kneeling in a wall garden (also a
representation of Mary’s virginity)
Joseph on the right making tools in a workshop
Form:
25 ⅜ x 46 ⅜ - overall
Attention to detail
Shin nail
Rust
Shadows
Realism
Not in perspective
Not mathematically correct
The table shows double perspective
Oil on oak
Function:
Can be folded and carried
To aid in private devotion
Pazzi Chapel (Basilica di Santa Croce. Florence, Italy. Filippo Brunelleschi (architect) 1429-1461 C.E. Masonry)
Context:
Commissioned by the Pazzi family
Part of the basilica di Santa Croce
Mostly centrally-planned space
Reminiscent of the Pantheon floor plan
Inspired by Roman temples b. Content:
Corinthian columns
Fluted pilasters
Pendentives with roundels
Small barrel vaults
A dome that has a halo of windows and a oculus
Form:
Uses the Pietra Serena Stone
Perfect geometry
Very orderly
Function:
A chapter house = a meeting for monks
A burial site for Pazzi family
A representation of the power and devotion of the Pazzi family
The Arnolfini Portrait (Made by Jan van Eyck. c. 1434. Oil paint on oak panel)
Context:
Made during the Northern renaissance and Italian Renaissance
Made by Jan van Eyck
Content:
i.
ii. iii. iv.
v.
vi. vii. viii.
One candle in the chandelier is a symbol of God’s presences dog= a sign of fidelity Man raises hand as in swearing to an oath Shoes were removed Jan Van Eyck signature
Acting like a witness
Mirror reflection of serval human figures in a doorway
Double portrait of an already married couple
Shows off their wealth
Oranges
Expensive furs
Carpet
Gathered skirt - women is not pregnant
Form:
Lacks perspective
Glazing
Greater attention to detail
Function
Documentation of a wedding
David (Donatello 1440-1460 C.E. Bronze)
Context:
Donatello displays classical knowledge of contrapposto/large-scale bronze casting of the ancient world
During the Middle Ages: had not seen human-scaled bronze figures until the David=first free-standing nude figure since classical period
Middle Ages: a period when the focus was on God and the soul and didn't create nude art
It was place in a niche high up in the buttresses of the Cathedral of Florence
It depicts the bible story of David and Goliath, from the old Testament
Content:
5 feet tall, bronze
Contrapposto: natural stance similar to the Greek/Roman
Free standing: detached from architecture, gives it freedom to move in the world, show expression, and communicate with you+contrapposto=humanistic
Shows both thoughtful/Pride emotions
Form:
Downcast eyes+the lids are half closed=not an expression of victory
Subtle pride: the facial muscles are relaxed, the mouth is slightly closed+smile small
Right hand holds the sword that he used to cut off Goliath’s head
Function:
Represent the story of David and Goliath
Tells Christian followers that God’s might will help you through any challenges you face
Palazzo Rucellai (Florence, Italy. Leon Battista Alberti(architect) 1450 C.E. Stone Masonry)
Context:
Constructed as part of the “building boom” after the Medici family built their own
The Palazzo was never actually finished- only ¾ of the original plan was constructed
Partly based on the Medici Palace (and it’s three facade design)
Content:
Includes the Rucellai family seal (a diamond ring with three feathers coming out of it)
Nearly every piece of Palazzo’s design is pulled from ancient Greek and Roman architecture
Has: cross-hatching, large blocks of stone, post-&-
Lintel portals, rectangular windows, all straight lines
The Loggia: Caddy-cornered to the Palazzo Rucellai
A large open space, with rounded archers, corinthian capitals, colonnades, pilasters
Form:
Emphasis measure and harmony
All about horizontality: the higher the floor the more intricate and fancy it becomes
Building has 4 floors
Function:
Created to house the Rucellai family
It depicts the physical representation of the family’s wealth, status, power, and importance
Madonna and Child with Two Angels (Fra Filippo 1465 C.E. Tempera on wood)
Context:
The Medici family commissioned it
Florence was rich during
Growing middle class
Content:
Very simple halos (thin white/ yellow circle)
Mary
Sculptured face, fair, blonde hair, small mouth
Translucent headpiece
Green dress with ruffles and button
Sits on ornate furniture
Jeweled crown
Angles
Playful
Angel foreground smiling
Angels holding up Christ as he kneels
Wings = seem wooden
Golden hair (similar to Christ)
Christ
Small, chubby baby
Kneeling on angels
Fair and blond
Arms stretching towards Mary
Wearing a cloth
Frame of window becomes frame of painting
Form:
Playful - no gold, not solemn and not traditional medieval
Function:
Medici family paid for this art to show poetry, wealth
Also used as a reminder of Christ’s story
Birth of Venus (by Sandro Botticelli. c. 1482-6. Tempera on canvas)
Context:
The painting depicts Venus, the Roman goddess of Love
Back then, images of nude women were only tolerated in 2 contexts: educational or mythological
Content:
Venus is standing atop of a white shell, golden hair, pale skin, entirely nude but covering her lower body to incite modesty
Venus is accompanied by an attendant with a cloth to cover her (Far right)
Zephyr and Aura, wind sprites, blowing wind from the far left
Form:
She stands casually
Flexible, skeletal structure (her body)
Lots of folds and lines that intersect with one another: waves, seashells, clothes
This indicates movements
Function:
Served a 2 purposes:
Mythical and educational
Artist revealed in his own creation
Last Supper (Lenordo da Vinci 194-1498 C.E. Oil and tempera)
Context:
Da Vinci was born in Florence, Italy
Painted this during high Renaissance time
Missing halos which was popular at that time
Narrative of a Biblical event
Content:
Christ tells the 12 apostles sitting with him that one of them will betray him during a seder at passover
The apostles have extreme reactions
Chaos erupts
One apostle remains calm and collected showing his divinity
Jadus looking down ashame as he reaches the same bowl as Christ
Peter rushes to defend Jesus with a knife against the betrayer
John closes his eyes
Thomas questions God
Phillp points to himself in grief
James tries to calm down everyone
3 windows, 4 groups of 3 apostles
Form:
Oil and tempera and lead white
Double layer of dried plaster
Uses linear perspective
Strong sense of depth
The vanishing point is behind Christ’s head
Chirst’s body is a triangle shape
Individualized facial features and characteristics
Sfumato technique- use of glaze in slightly different tones to depict light and dark)
Function:
Monks would eat slightly in front of the painting for contemplation
Shows the flaws of humanity
Adam and Eve (Albrecht Durer 1504 C.E, Engraving)
Context:
Albrecht
Born in1471 in Francnian city of Nuremberg
Revolutionized print making
Christian
Content:
The two figures (Adam and Eve) nude
Four animals in left corner symbolizing Phlegmatic (ox), Sanguine(rabbit), Melancholic (elk), and Choleric(cat) ( the four Humors)
Ancient belief that humans possessed all four of the humors
Showed the connection between humans and animals
The figures are setting off into the woods with plants and animals
Adam holds a mount of ash (the tree of life)
Eve picks an apple from the tree with fig leaves
The serpent gives the forbidden fruit into Eve’s hand
Opposed by a parrot (symbol of wisdom and virgin birth of Christ)
Mouse =male weakness
Mountain goat= lust and damnation
serpent= evil
parrot=salvation
Form:
Woodcut engravings
Proportional bodies
Vitruvius: the proportions of the face (the distance from forehead to chin)
Contrapposto
Naturalism
Nearly symmetrical poses
Function:
Story telling of the story of Adam and eve from the bible
Sistine Chapel ceiling and altar wall Frescoes (Vatican City, Italy. Michelangelo. Ceiling Frescoes : 1508-1512 C.E. altar frescoes : 1536-1541 C.E)
Context:
Michelangelo started the mosaics and frescoes in 1508
Worked on it for 4 years
The chapel went through controversial cleaning of soot and grime iv.
Content:
The ceiling
Figure were large in size and presences
No images of Christ
Influence of Greek and ancient Roman styles
Richly colored
9 Biblical scenes in chronological order placed horizontally
Noah is drunk, The great flood, Noah and his family make a sacrifice after the flood, Adam and Eve are tempted, God creates Eve, God creates Adam, God divides the water from the Earth, God creates the Sun and the planets, God divides light from darkness
Scenes are covered with prophets and sybils (pagan soothsayers that foretold the coming of Christ)
Scenes of the salvation of Israel
The four architectural corner of nine biblical scenes are nude male figures called iguni
The Delphic Sibyl
Her body has a circular composition (shows grace and elegance and harmony)
Looks as if she is coming out of the wall
Idealized body
The Deluge
The physical space between water and the sky (separated into 4 narratives)
Used to make viewers question why God killed the whole population of Earth except for Noah and his family
Shows group of people finding shelter
A small boat
Men working to build an ark
Form:
Every surface (floor, ceiling, and walls) are covered with mosaics
Very realistic figures and idealized beauty
Emphasis of muscular autonomy
Function:
Where the College of Cardinals determines the next pope
Story telling of the biblical events
Schools of Athens (Stanza della Segnatura, the Vatican, Rome, Italy. c. 1509-1511. fresco)
Context:
Created during high Renaissance in Rome
A few years before the Protestant Reformation (which brought uncertainty about salvation)
Was originally named Philosophy because of the bookshelf that held Julius II’s collection of philosophy books
Drew inspiration from Ancient Roman architecture
Content:
The four walls show the four branches of human knowledge (Philosophy, Theology, Poetry, and Justice)
The ceiling is model after the Sistine chapel ceiling
All of the great thinker are gathered together (ex: Plato, Aristotle, Euclid, Baramate)
The central vanishing point of the painting is the space between
Has sculpture of Apollo and Athena
Heraculities writing on tilted rock
Form:
Raphael added a left and right vanishing point
Linear perspective
Use orthogonals in the pavement
Function:
A tribute to famous philosophers and thinkers in Rome
Also a payer that their knowledge will be passed down to the pope
Isenheim
AltarPiece (Matthias Grunewald 1512-1516 C.E. Oil on wood)
Context:
Isenheim hospital was run by Brothers of St. Anthony
Predella - the bottom part in the altarpiece
Content:
The left picture:
Left side - red robe figure standing next to the crucifixion
Middle -
Christ is centered and crucified ( very dramatic)
Hanging down from the cross
On Christ’s left - three people: two women looking up (in anguish), one person holding the
women wearing white
On the right of Christ - red robed man and a dog
Right side- red and blue robed bearded, old man carrying a staff
Pradella
Jesus’s dead body being held up by other people next to a grave
The right picture
Left picture: a woman looking up at a robed figure
Middle:
Left side: woman wearing pink dress playing a guitar
Right side: Mary and Christ (as a child) in a landscape (blue sky and orange sun)
Left picture: panel is closed
The virgin is swooning into the arms of St. John, John the baptist motions towards Christ, Lamb of God is shown, Mary Madelgane is crying, St.
Sebastian and St. Anthony
Right picture: open
Annunciation, Virgin and child, Resurrection (fireball)
Angels playing music for Christ’s birth
Form:
9 ½” x 10 9” ( just central panel)
Oil on wood
Function:
Object of devotion
Fully opened on special occasions
Entombment of Christ (Jacopo da Pontormo. 1525-1528 C.E. Oil on wood)
Context:
Placed in the church entrance way above the altar
Early mannerist style
Mannerist style- after the Renaissance and before Baroque period
In the Capponi chapel of Santa Felicita, Florence
Protestant Reformation
Content:
Mournful atmosphere
The fresco beside it shows the annunciation; this shows the end
Mostly people
Unnatural body positions
Exaggerated emotions and facial features
A lot of movement
Form:
Oil on wood
Elongated figure
Function:
Altar piece
Allegory of Law and Grace (Lucas Cranach the Elder. c. 1529. Woodcut and letterpress)
Context:
Located in Germany
Made during Northern Renaissance
Influenced by the Lutherian reformation
Content:
explain s the Lutherian ideas
Heaven is reached through faith and god’s grace
Luther rejected the idea of Catholicism where good deeds got you to heaven
Led to conflict (rebellion and destruction against the Catholic church)
Two nude figures on both sides of a tree
Law (left) = dying tree
Gospel (right)=living tree
Six columns of of Bible citations
The Law side:
Law & judgement - man being forced into hell by Death(skeleton) and Satan (demon)
Moses delivering the ten commandments (holding a white tablet)
White tablet stands out against the orange rope and green tree
Held by Luther
Christ sitting in judgement
Adam and Eve eating the forbidden fruit
Motifs - law alone, without gospel cannot get you to heaven
Right Gospel side
Grace and gospel with Christ’s cross crushing Death and Satan
John the Baptist directs a naked man to Christ on the cross in font of a tomb
People covered in the blood of Christ
Nude figure wishing not to follow the law of judgement
Law paves the way for salvation
Judge (condemns human sins)
Show mercy and forgiveness
Includes events from the Old and New Testament
Form:
Woodcut and letterpress
Oil on wood
Function:
To spread Lutheran Reformation
Venus of Urbino (Titan 1538 C.E. Oil on Canvas)
Context:
Perfect Ventian Art: the movement of art in Venice was shown with it's deep rich colors and use of shadows and use of light. Glazing techniques were used to create subtle changes in gradient and level
Venice during this time was a stable republican government that allowed lots of trade and had the ability to invest in artists
Content:
Nude women (Venus), Woman makes eye connect with the viewer
Venus was a symbol of beauty, Venus has very small and unrealistic feet
dog symbolizes fidelity
Child and maid - motherhood
Form:
Oil on canvas
Layers of oil paint to show shade and lighting
Function:
Duke Urbino Guidobaldo II Della Rouvre gave this as a gift to his wife
The painting reflect how the wife should be to the husband (sexually and respectful
Frontispiece of the Codex Mendoza (Viceroyalty of new Spain 1541-1542 C.E ink and color on paper)
Context:
The codex contained information about the Aztec Empire and the lords of Tenochtitlan
Frontispiece- an illustration facing the title of the book
Antonio de Mondoza commissioned the codex
Tenochtitlan was created on lake Texcoco
Tenoch, ruler of the Mexicas, died in 1363
Content:
Frontispiece
Schematic diagram of Tenochtitlan (place of the prickly pear cactus and stone)
Showed city divided into four parts - aligned with the cardinal sign (north, south, east, west)
City made of canals
Aztec myth of the hummingbird (Huitzilopchtli): a deity that told aztec ancestors to move from Aztlan (the original
home of the Aztecs) and to find a place with an eagle on top of a cactus growing out of a rock when they see this settle and build a city
Center:
The eagle sitting on a cactus growing out of a rock
Under cactus and rock is a war symbol
Above the eagle is the symbol of a temple (might be templo Mayor)
Next to eagle (the right)= a skull rack (Tzompantli) this was found near Templo Mayor
Maize was important to the Aztec people
Tenoch:
10 men, wearing white garments and top knots, depicted in the four quadrants
The men who lead the island
Name glyphs attached them to pre-Columbian manuscripts
Priest:
Seated on the left side of the eagle
Has gray skin and red marks on face
Name glyphs identifies him as “tenoch”
Has a speech scroll coming out of his mouth( represents to listen to him because he speaks the word of god) and he is sitting on a woven mat
Bloodletting from ear for the gods
All around the page has year glyphs ( total of 50)
Year marked for fire ceremony
Twenty - six years after Tenochtitlan creation marked
Two scenes of military conquest
Obsidian bladed swords ( macana)
Burning of temples of the Colhuacan and Tenayuca who were defeated
Form:
Ink and color on paper
Function:
Emphasized the power of the Aztecs
Tribute to the aztecs
II Gesu, including Triumph of the Name of Jesus ceiling Fresco (Rome, Italy. Giacomo da Vignola, plan (architect); Giacomo della Porta, facade (architect); Giovanni Battista Gaulli, ceiling fresco (artist). Church: 16th century ce; facade: 1568–1584 ce; fresco and stucco figures: 1676–1679 ce. Brick, marble, fresco, and stucco)
Context:
Gesu is the french name for mother church
Designed by Giacomo da Vignola and Giacomo Della
Ceiling fresco was made by Giovanni Battista Gaulli
Saint Ignaticus of Loyola, the founder of the newfound Jesuit religion, needed a church to serve as the religion’s center
Content:
Single aisle church
Church is in cruciform plan ( the transept is not that long)
The church has a dome over intersection of the large nave and transept
Dark interior
Dependent in natural light from
Mix on rational and Baroque style focused on altar
Renaissance columns
Corinthian columns
spolia
Form:
Brick, marble, fresco, and stucco
Function:
Served as the original church for Jesuits
Illustrated the beliefs of the Jesuits
Hunters in the Snow (Vienna, Austria. c. 1565. Realist Period. Pieter Bruegal. Oil paint on wood panel)
i.
ii. iii.
i.
Context:
A secular painting One of six works in a series called Months of the Year Northern Renaissance
Content:
ii. Homogenized figures
Hunters return from an unsuccessful hunt (sulky faces)
Despair mood in the foreground
Aerial perspective
Form:
Contrapposto
Contrasting colors
Sharp forms
Little bit of atmospheric perspective
Function:
Represents both the hardships and the enjoyments of winter
Showcases everyday activities
Mosque of Selim II (Edirne, Turkey. Sinan (architect). 1568–1575 ce. Brick and stone)
Context:
Patron: Sultan Selim II
During the classical Ottaman period
Sinan was the chief court architect
Content:
Two symmetrical square madrasas
Square prayer hall at the end of porticoed courtyard
The ethereal dome- floating in the prayer hall
Grand dome rest on eight murquanas
Qibla- the wall that faces Mecca, that projects forwards
Buttress supporting the east and west piers( holds the weight of the dome)
Muzzin platform:placed under the center
dome ( where the leaders lead the worshippers in a chant) not the traditional place
Painted interior, iznik tiles, chinese cloud art, polychrome
Squinches- construction filling in the upper angles of a square room, base for a octagon or spherical dome
Has shops( arasta) and a recitation school
Minarets
Abundance of windows
Form:
190x 130 meters
Made out of stone, brick, and marble
Function:
Made to show the greatness and wealth of the Ottoman Empire
Calling of Saint Matthew(Caravaggio. c. 1597–1601 ce. Oil on canvas.)
Context:
The Counter-Reformation
The Catholic Church reacted against the Protestant Reformation
The Baroque Style
Theatrical action
Diagonal lines
Gritty realism
Content:
Biblical story of the calling of Saint Matthew
Takes place in a tavern or pub like environment
Characters dressed in contemporary clothing of that time period
Light has an important role
Creates an ethereal glow
The light follows from Christ’s fingers
Second Adam?
Jesus’s hand mimics the Michelangelo’s hand of God in “The Creation of Adam”
Jessu is sometimes referred to as “the second Adam”
Form:
Oil on canvas
Located in the Contarelli chapel, Rome
Function:
Didactic element
Portrays the story of The Calling of Saint Matthew
Taught from the catholic perspective
Makes the viewer experience the painting (“Catholic Way”)
Henri IV Receives the Portrait of Marie de’ Medici from the Marie de’ Medici Cycle (Peter Paul Rubens. 1621–1625 ce. Oil on canvas.)
Context:
Inspiration : Titan from the Renaissance period
Known for painting the body in dramatic and contorted positions
The 6th painting in a series of 24 paintings
King Henry IV was assassinated in 1610
Led to the rule of Louis XIII
Marie was exiled in 1617
Divisions in the french court
Marie had these paintings do for propaganda
Marrie and Henry’s actual marriage was filled with cheatings/infidelities
Henry IV was under attack by the Catholic church
Henry IV was in debt to the Medicis
Content:
Winged Gods of marriage ( hymen which is on the left) and Love (cupid on the right)
Hymen hold a flaming torch in his left hand( symbol of passion or love)
Cupid motions toward Marie and praise her beauty/worth
Henry IV looks at her adoringly
Jupiter and Juno look down in approval holding hands and surrounded by their animal symbols ( eagle with a thunderbolt - Jupiter & peacock- Juno)
Personification of France behind Henry encouraging him to marry Marie( for politics)
France looks on with approval
Lady France wears a plumed helmet and blue robe with fleur- de-lys
Lady France whispers into Henry’s ear
Telling him to ignore his battles and to marry Marie for political reasons
Henry obliges
The remains of Henry’s battle is a burning town which lies in the background
Form:
Oil on canvas
Strong vertical axis running through the painting from Juno( Hera) to Marie de’Medici
Classical style
Function:
Propaganda idealizes Marie’s actual life
Political reasons
Religion reasons
Self-Portrait with Saskia (Rembrandt van Rijn. c. 1636 C.E. Etching)
Context:
Rembrandt was a famous etchere during his time
He was a very experimental artist
His style changed throughout art career
He did not often create self portraits
Content:
Is a portrait of Rembrandt and his wife Saskia, two years after they got married
It seems to be an intimate moment
Has two circles in the background
Form:
Used a copper plate eroded by acid
Etching plate
Illusion of depth with body placement
Function:
Private artwork
San Carlo alle Quattro Fontane(Rome, Italy. Francesco Borromini (architect). 1638–1646 ce. Stone and stucco)
Context:
Baroque style: undulating movements and sculptural effects, eliminated the corner in architecture
Borromini built it for free
Commissioned in 1634
Built from 1638-1646
Borromini was an Italian architect who suffered from melancholia (a type of depression with ill-founded fears)
Content:
Facade: undulating waves, upper part=concave bays, sectioned entablature
Center is oval shaped, held up by asymmetrical placed angels
Upper facade completed after Borromini’s death
Lower stories consist of 2 outer concave and convex center
Connected with an entablature
Has a central niche above one portal
Has a statue of St. Charles Borromeo which was created by Antonio Raggi
Beside the statue are the founders of Trinitarian order (St. John of Matha and Saint Felix of Valios)
Dome
Windows at the base
coffering= circles with octagonal molding, unequal hexagons, and Greek crosses
Contains tall columns and small niches
Convex and concave structures
Paradox of imagination ( emotion vs. intellect)
Symmetrical decorations
Numerous carvings
Cherubs
Form:
Facade with 3 Bays
Plan
A diamond inscribed into a oval
Intersecting circles
Numerous curves ( no right angles)
Stacking three distinct units
Middle zone is an original Greek cross plan
Combination of precedent and novelty
Oval dome
Illusionistic effects
Function:
Dedicated to St. Charles Borromeo and the Holy Trinity
Ecstasy of Saint Teresa(Cornaro Chapel, Church of Santa Maria della Vittoria. Rome, Italy. Gian Lorenzo Bernini. c. 1647–1652 ce. Marble (sculpture); stucco and gilt bronze (chapel))
Context:
Artist: Gian Lorenzo Bernini
Location: Church of Santa Maria della Vittoria
Baroque period
Religious
About Saint Teresa of Avila (who lived in the 16th century)
Cornaro chapel - grouping of patrons that are depicted watching Saint Teresa’s revelation
Content:
Golden arrow pointed at the heart of Saint Teresa
Rays of sun (holy light of God)
Saint Teresa with an angel
St. Teresa body’s contorted, twisting feet and hands
Rocks surrounding the base to support and add a buffer
Expressive folds of fabric
Form:
White marble that was carved with a chisel
Realistic
Wet drapery look
Expressive and emotional
Function:
Virtual representation of Saint teresa when she was brought to god
Angel with Arquebus, asiel Timor Dei (Master of Calamarca (La Paz School). c. 17th century ce. Oil on canvas. )
Context:
Made in the late 17th century in the viceroyalty of Peru (a Spanish colonial administration)
Created after the first missionizing period( forcing indigenous people to convert to Christainity)
Most likely apart of a series
Content:
Depictions of androgynous angel waering stunning clothes holding a harquenas (a type of gun)
Harquenas is a gun with a large barrel
Form:
Oil on canvas
Function:
Made to represent celestial, aristocratic and military beings all at the same time
Used to represent the power, connection to god, and political power of the Spanish government
Las Meninas (Diego Velázquez. c. 1656 ce. Oil on canvas.)
Context:
Used to be housed in the royal palace called Royal Alcazar of Madrid
He was inducted into the Catholic organization called the Order of Santiago
To compensate for the family’s incest he put them in elaborate clothes
Velazquez was the court artist
Content:
The characters stare into the eyes of the viewer
Painting of Ovid’s the metamorphosis hangs in the background ( story of gods wrestling with mortals)
Illusion of space, depth and perspective
In the center is the princess, maids of honor, palace of official, chaperone, dog, dwarf (hired to be friends with the
children), and other attendants
The painting is set in his studio
Paints a palette with raw paint
Form:
318x 276 cm
Oil on canvas
Currently located in Museo Nacional del Prado, Madrid
Uses loose brushstrokes
Uses scientific and aerial perspective
Many light sources are shown in painting
Function:
Made for the King and queen to view
To show ethereal perfection, wealth, but showed some informal aspects
Woman Holding a Balance (Johannes Vermeer. c. 1664 ce. Oil on canvas.)
Context:
Baroque period
The origins of the painting is linked to Pieter de Hooch’s Gold weighter
Vermeer trained with a master painter that was apart of the Guild of Saint Luke
The painting takes place in 17th century
1664 was the year before the second Anglo-Dutch war
Content:
The woman is dressed in fine cloth and a cap made of linen (commonly worn by women who are at home)
She is apart of the upper merchant class
Wearing a fur trimmed jacket
Opposite side of her is a window with golden curtains and a mirror
Right hand has a balance
There is nothing on the balance
There are boxes on the table in front of her
One is open (most likely had been containing the balance)
A box with a string of pearls
One with coins (indication of wealth)
Behind her is a painting of Christ during the Last Judgement ( serves as judge over souls)
Her head divides the blessed ( the light side of her head)and the people that are doomed to go to hell ( the dark side of her head)
Light give sense of motion
Dark gives sense of stillness
She is not pregnant just bulky clothing
Form:
Her pinky is the vanishing point
Center of the painting =center of the balance
Has a lot compositional control ( in color means)
Soft swirl painting style
Muted colors
Function:
Showed wealth and piety (worldly possessions and Christ in the back)
Sign of self knowledge and truth
The Palace of Versailles(Versailles, France. Louis Le Vau and Jules Hardouin-Mansart (architects). Begun 1669 ce. Masonry, stone, wood, iron, and gold leaf (architecture); marble and bronze (sculpture); gardens.)
Context:
Construction began in 1661 completed around 1682
The staff:
Louis le Vau - chief architect
Built the Grand facade and the Queen and King apartments
Built the park’s Orangerie and Menagerie
Adopted the italian “invisible roof” hidden by trophy- adorned balustrade
Balustrade- a railing supported by ornamental parapets
Andre le Notre - landscape designer of the gardens
Charles le Brun- interior decorator and painter
Jules Hardouin Mansart -favorited architect did later construction
Jean- Baptiste Colbert- principal advisor of the KIng
Hyacinthe Rigaud: Painter to the French King
Pierre Puget: Sculptor; his works are in the King's Gardens
Louis XIV patron
Content:
Satellite city to the East of the palace
Housed a court and government officials, military and guard detachments, courtiers, and servants
Extremely detailed and ornate
Hall of mirrors ( a.k.a Galerie des Glaces)
Had gold and silver furniture
Walls inlaid with mirrors
Used for festivals and parties
Gardens
Visible from the Hall of mirrors( central axis lined with trees, terraces, pools, and lakes)
Formal gardens served as a transition from the ordered, man- made palace to natural gardens
Change depending on the seasons and location
Very neat and organized
City’s 3 main avenues axis converged at the King’s bedroom
So he can keep an eye on high ranking officials
The king’s bedroom was an informal audience room
Form:
Stone, marble, glass, gold, silver, wood, gardens
Palace consist of 700 rooms
2153 windows
2000 acres of garden
Function:
Emphasized the importance and power of King Louis XIV
Used to host parties and military agreements
To compared the king’s wisdom to the God, Apollo
Symbolized power of the absolute monarch
Screen with the Siege of Belgrade and Hunting Scene (Circle of the González Family. c. 1697–1701 ce. Tempera and resin on wood, shell inlay)
Context:
Spanish piece
Commissioned by Jose Sarmiento de Valladares
Only known artwork that combines biombos and encapuchados
Content:
Depicts the Battle of Belgrade (1688)
A hunting scene in nature
Influenced by Japanese folding screens (New Spain was in trade with Japan)
Form:
Style: Spanish Colonial, Flemish, Dutch
Function:
To be placed in the viceroy's palace as a decorative piece
Intended to be viewed by two different audiences
The Virgin of Guadalupe (Virgen de Guadalupe) (16th century, oil and possible tempera on maguey cactus cloth and cotton. Basilica of Guadalupe, Mexico City)
Context:
Found everywhere in Mexico
Made during Spanish colonization and missionary period
Content:
May represent Mary because of grey skin color
Acts as a devotion to Guadalupe
The virgin of Guadalupe was thought to have stopped the flooding of Mexico city
Has a mass in her honor on december 12
Paid her reverence
It is a replica
Enconchado- mother in pearl inlaid ( for this artwork wood)
Has an iridescent surface ( suggest heavenly and the divine)
Sunlight beams behind her
There are stars in her cloak ( that image comes from the book of revelation)
Below her, she is being supported by an angel
The virgin appear before a man Jaun Deigo ( an indigenous man) and tells him to go to bishop and put a shrine to her on the hill where they met ( Hill of tepeyac)
Form:
Oil and maybe tempra on cactus cloth and cotton
Function:
For religious purposes and dedication
Fruit and Insects (Rachel Ruysch. 1711 ce. Oil on wood.)
Context:
During renaissance
Rachel Ruysch was born to the wealthy family in Amsterdam
First successful female artist during the Baroque period
She specialized in still life
Content:
A still life of fruits, vegetable and insects
In the Autumn
Grapes =blood of christ
animals= naturalism
Illusion and realism throughout painting
Form:
Oil on wood
Still life painting
Realistic
Vibrant colors
Uncommon subjects
Function:
For Rachel Ruysch Cosimo II = a sign of friendship and commonwealth
Was sold
Painting was for widening merchant class
Spaniard and Indian Produce a Mestizo(Attributed to Juan Rodríguez Juárez. c. 1715 ce. Oil on canvas.)
Context:
Metizo- a person of European and Indigenous descendant ( most types with father and idigenous mother)
First of a series showing mix of races and cultures
Casta painting- focus on bad living conditions for families that are mixed racially
Also appear darker as they become more racially mixed,
Content:
Spanish father and Indigenous mother with a boy
holding their child ( the boy that is holding the child is not a son of the two adults)
Indigenous mother wearing a huipil( a traditional dress worn by indigenous women) lace sleeves and jewelry
Spanish husband wearing french style clothes
Hand on baby’s head or wife’s arm
The boy(servant ) holding the baby looks upward at Spaniard
Family looks calm
Form:
Oil painting
Function:
Discourage racial mixing because dark skinned people were considered dirty, unattractive and less civilized
Tries to show European blood is superior
The Tete a Tete, from Marriage a la Mode(William Hogarth. c. 1743 ce. Oil on canvas.)
Context:
The second of six painting that make coherent,meaningful story
The story revolves around a marriage of the daughter of a merchant to the son of a popular family ( works are know altogether
as Marriage a la mode)
Set in the mid 18th -century ( the industrial revolution)
Aristocracy lost some power to merchants
Content:
Translates to face to face
Shows the young couple after the forced marriage
The husband(Viscount Squanderfield) slouching in a chair
Possibly drunk
Has a mark of syphilis on his neck
Likely has returned form having sex with a woman
A dog sniffing at a bonnet in his pocket ( sign of fidelity in Renaissance)
Viscountess Squaderfield
Flirtatious
Top of bodice is unbutton( sign that she was inmate with another man)
She holds a mirror in right hand above her head
She has a stain on her dress
Sitting with legs apart
The guy(pious Methodist) in the middle looks fed up with couple,existing
Instrument on floor that has fallen out of the case( music was played for sex and sensuality )
Classical structure with broken nose
Painting of cupid in ruins
Painting covered up by curtain
Form:
Oil on canvas
69.9×90.8 cm
Composition
Few objects in foreground- the area of the picture/painting nearest to the viewer immediately behind the picture plane
Central figure in the middle ground
The background consist of a seperate room, architectural features, paintings
Area of emphasis - cluttered mantlepiece
Vertical( edges of painting and columns) and curvy lines(mostly in arches) throughout painting
Function:
Satirical commentary
Appeal to middle class
Unit 4: Late Europe and Americas
Portrait of Sor Juana Ines de la Cruz (Miguel Cabrera 1750 C.E Oil on Canvas)
Context:
Neoclassical art
Sor Juana is labeled as the first Feminist in the Americas because she pursued her owned interest to become a nun
Often engaged in debate with philosophers and scientist
Drew concern from the church for outspokenness about the rights of the women
She was forced to sign an agreement that she would no longer pursue intellectual interest
Died of a disease
Content:
Portrait of a catholic nun and sister of jeronimite order in New Spain
Red curtains were common in paintings of the elite
Wore religious garments - showed devotion to religion and god
Books beside her to show her intellectual interest
Form:
Oil on canvas
Function:
Was just a portrait of Sor Juana
A philosopher giving a Lecture on the Orrery (Joseph Wright of Debrey 1763- 1765 Oil on Canvas)
Context:
Made during the enlightenment movement
Joseph wright became the unofficial artist of that time period
He is known for use of chiaroscuro
Made in england
Content:
Shows a scientist, a note-taker, and children around a central Orrery
Orrery- a mechanical model of the solar system
Meant to be real people but we do not know their names
The scientist in red is giving a lecture about, what is believed to be,a model to had inspiration by Issac Newton’s Lunar society of Burnigham
Strong internal light source(the sun
model)- also symbolizes the enlightenment rational thinking
Painting also has women and children in the background
Form:
Naturalistic
Red coat - suggest great influence
Heavy contrast between light and dark
Function:
Show cased the scientific improvements during the enlightenment movement
Show the curiosity and knowledge gained
The Swing (Jean-Honore Fragonard. 1767 C.E. Oil on Canvas)
Context:
Wealthy and lavish living
Women were major patrons of the arts
Art became exclusive to the rich
Content:
Depicts a lady on a swing above her lover and a s bishop
Nature scene = dense garden with flowers and cupid status
Form:
Epitome of Rococo
Realism and Naturalism
Use of soft colors
Ornate details
Lighting = woman bathed in sunlight
Function:
For ownership of the rich
Monticello (Virginia, US. Thomas Jefferson [architect] 1768-1809 C.E.)
Context:
Thomas Jefferson hated British architecture and loved french architecture
He studied at William and Mary but had no formal training to become an architect
Made in virginia
Content:
Basilica plan
Used inspiration from classical and neoclassical french art
Remodeled the two- story pavilion based on Hotel de Salm
To a symmetrical one story brick home under an austere Doric entablature
West garden
A deep two column portico with doric columns that support a triangular pediment which is decorated with a semicircle window
Has colonnades
Has pediment
Has dome
Perisan windows
transept
Steps
gardens= french inspiration
Form:
Greek marble looking portico
Marble fencing
Long, rectangular windows
Symmetrical around central axis
Made out of brick, glass, stone and wood
Function:
Meant to be a home
The Oath of the Horatii (Jacques-Louis David. 1784 C.E. Oil on Canvas)
Context:
The patron: the French royals
Made in France
French Neoclassical
Legend Horatti ( conflict between Rome and the city of Alba)
Instead of battles they sent the 3 horatii to Alba to settle dispute
France was on the edge of the revolution during this time
Content:
Deception of a Roman myth
Three sons swearing their swords to their father
Women sitting in to right grieving
People were placed in a column
Form:
Simplistic and symbolic
Organized and structured
Men- geometrical shapes
Women - organic shapes
Function
George Washington. (Jean-Antoine Houdon. 1788–1792 C.E. Marble)
Context:
Made after the American Revolution
It was a popular time to commission
Statue ordered = Virginia Governor
Sculpted = French Artist
Content:
Marble sculpture of George Washington
Form:
Neoclassicism
White marble
Contrapposto
Symbolic details
Form
Symbolized power and authority as holds his sword
Function:
Sculpture
Self-Portrait. (Elisabeth Louise Vigée Le Brun. 1790 C.E. Oil on canvas)
Context:
During Rococo movement
Not a lot of female painters during the time
Le Brun worked for the crown of France specifically Marie Antionette
Le Brun became very rich due to her job
Close to the French Revolution
She had to leave France because she worked for the crown
Content
Self portrait of Elisabeth Louise Vigee le brun
She is wearing a traditional black dress with a red sash
She is painting something in the painting
Painting in the painting might be Marie Antionette
Form:
Naturalism
Oil on canvas
Elisabeth in a natural position
Function:
Shows freedom, intelligence and greatness of the artist
Y no hai remedio (And There’s Nothing to Be Done), from Los Desastres de la Guerra (The Disasters of War), plate 15. (Francisco de Goya. 1810–1823 C.E. (published 1863). Etching, drypoint, burin, and burnishing)
Context:
Goya was a painter for the French and Spain royalty
His work was often labeled as controversial
Went deaf and went recluse
The french were pushed out after the Peninsular war
Apart of the 82 paintings that was used to protest against The French occupation by Napoleon Barnaparte
Napoleon tricked the king of Spain into letting his troops cross the border which led him to upsurge the king and his brother from the throne
Content:
Man wearing light-colored/white tied to a pole by his hands behind his back(Alter Christus)
He is blindfolded
Landscape shows depth and the scene is dark
A firing squad is behind the central figure facing similarly bounded
On the central figure’s right side, contorted,bloody, grotesque dead on the floor
Rifle barrels pointed at the central figure , the people holding it are occluded
Alter Christus - other Christ
First plate - effect of conflict
Second plate- effect of famine
Last plate- disappointment and demoralization of Spaniard
Form:
Etched plates- cover the metal plate with wax, carve out the shapes, dip in acid, melt off the wax and the incisions remain
Black and white
Drypoint - scratch lines on the surface with a stylus
Artist then pours ink on plate and wipes it off only remains where the acid burned or the etched
Put a moist paper on the plate when running through the press
Function
Protest against French occupation
La Grande Odalisque. (Jean-Auguste- Dominique Ingres. 1814 C.E. Oil on canvas.)
Context:
French
Eroticisim and nudist paiting
Content:
Peacock fan
Turban
Enormous pearls
A hookah
Wearing Kente Cloth
Interwoven silk and cotton fabric
Ghanan
Various dates and artists
Form:
Oil on canvas
Function:
Used in an oriental style to stay within the eye of the public
Liberty Leading the People. (Eugène Delacroix. 1830 C.E. Oil on canvas.)
Context:
Romanticism
Based on July Revolution of 1830
Content:
Personification of Liberty (central figure)
Marching over dead bodies
Leading the way to freedom
Carrying flag of revolution and a musket in her hands
Boy holding two pistols
Represents sacrifice
Upper-class gentleman in a top hat, holding a rifle
Represents the rich inability to stay out of the war
Form:
Realistic but with dramatic lighting
Soft, rounded lines
Depth and foreground but little to no background
Function:
Glorification of everyday people
Acknowledgment of sacrifices
The Oxbow (View from Mount Holyoke, Northampton, Massachusetts, after a Thunderstorm). (Thomas Cole. 1836 C.E. Oil on canvas.)
Context:
Untouched land
Artist: Thomas Cole
Content:
View from Mount Holyoke, Northampton,
Massachusetts
Untouched nature
Hudson river
Tree bent over ( nature being at mercy of its own self)
River and clouds(stormy) in the foreground
References the bend in the Connecticut river
White and clear sky in background which is enhanced by the stormy clouds
Form:
Realistic but cartoon ( exaggerated)
Warm hues for nature
Cool hues for weather
130.8 x 193 cm
Oil on canvas
The diagonal line the artist used from lower right to upper left to divide the composition
Function:
humanity’ s insignificance in the grand scheme of things compared to nature
Westward expansion
Still Life in Studio. (Louis- Jacques-Mandé Daguerre. 1837 C.E. Daguerreotype)
Context:
Daguerreotype accompanied the invention of photography
Less than 25 of his picture survived a fire in 1839
Content:
Autonomy of Daguerreotype
A handful of still- lifes , parisian views, and portraits
Also has sculptures, paintings and photography
Form:
Silver plated sheets of copper
The sheets were sensitized with iodine vapors, exposed in a large camera box
Very detailed
The sheets were then developed in mercury fumes
And stabilized with salt water
Function:
Duality and artistic expression
Slave Ship (Slavers Throwing Overboard the Dead and Dying, Typhoon Coming On). (Joseph Mallord William Turner. 1840 C.E. Oil on canvas)
Context:
Made by Joseph Mallord William Turner
Trans -atlantic slave trade
Twenty + years before the impressionist movement
Content:
A slave ship going into a storm abandoning the slaves that were thrown overboard
Fiery sunset, writhing foam and waves
Fish chopping at the slave chained limbs
A wall of water and grey clouds( as punishment and vengeance for throwing the slaves overboard to die)
Form:
Abstract
Fabricated quality
Function:
Wanted to protest slavery
Wanted to prevent slavery from becoming a new normal
Purpose was to shock the audience and make them question why they support such an immoral act
Palace of Westminster (Houses of Parliament). London, England. Charles Barry and Augustus W. N. Pugin (architects). 1840–1870 C.E. Limestone masonry and glass.
Context:
Gothic style
Created by Charles Barry and Agustus Pugin
Built during early victorian era
Content:
Across the river Thames
Among the houses of parliament in London
Interior designs
stained glass
Form:
In the style of Late Medieval
Function:
Serves as a House of Parliament
To reinforce traditional values
Today as the seat of government
The Stone Breakers. (Gustave Courbet. 1849 C.E. (destroyed in 1945). Oil on canvas)
Context:
Painted one year after the published Communist Manifesto
Went against normal french techniques which was refined during this time
Content:
Two figure(one very old and one very young) breaking stone with different tools
Breaking stone for rubble to be used as pavement
Both wear tattered clothing( symbol of poverty )
Form:
Rough brushwork
The artist did not worry too much about the accuracy of the human figures
Lacks aerial perspective
Function
Symbol of the deprivation of the agriculture french people
Nadar Raising Photography to the Height of Art. (Honoré Daumier. 1862 C.E. Lithograph)
Context:
Nadar was famous for taking aerial photos of Paris
By Honore Daumier
Content:
Ironic artwork ( held to the same status of high art)
Nadar taking an aerial picture of paris
Form:
Lithograph- the process of printing from a flat surface treated so that it repeals ink except where it is wanted
realism
Function:
Used to mock Nadar
Tried to show how ridiculous and dangerous Nadar art was
Olympia. (Édouard Manet. 1863 C.E. Oil on canvas)
Context:
A salon painting or a academic painting
During the time of the industrialization
Received backlash from it because a naked white woman and a black maid were seen as animalistic sexaulity and inferior( was seen as disrespectful)
He recreated the Venus of Urbino with this painting
Model (white naked lady) :Victorian Meurent
Olynpia was a common name for prostitutes
Manet was considered the father of impressionism
Content:
a nude white woman (prostitute) sitting on a chaise lounge with a black cat at her feet
Stares at viewer coldly and indifferently
Black woman servant behind her giving her a gift sent from a client
Stark contrast against the black woman’s dark skin and the white woman’s white skin
Depicts the world of Parisan prostitution
Form:
Flat tones
Not a lot of depth
Function:
Commentary on racial divisions
Depicted harsh realities of Parisian life
The Saint-Lazare Station. (Claude Monet. 1877 C.E. Oil on canvas)
Context:
Impressionism
Monet wanted to be remembered as painter of the modern world
He lived in rural Paris iv.
Content:
Train station
A locomotive train pulling up into the station
Trees frame the center of the painting
Diagonal lines from the roof recede backwards into the painting
Form:
Oil on canvas
Function:
Wanted to show industrialization and modernization of Paris
To show the beauty in the busy , urban life in Paris
The Horse in Motion. (Eadweard Muybridge. 1878 C.E. Albumen print)
Context:
Taken at a horse racing track
Content:
Running horse and a jockey
4 by 4 column and rows of photos
16 photos in the series
They are in profile
A lot of movement
Form:
Realism
Used a zoopraxiscope
Photograph
Series of photographs
Function:
Motion study of a running horse and a jockey
Wanted to establish expressiveness
The Valley of Mexico from the Hillside of Santa Isabel (El Valle de México desde el Cerro de Santa Isabel). (Jose María Velasco. 1882 C.E. Oil on canvas)
Context:
Velasco was a astamed landscape painter
Content:
Mountains,lakes, trees, clouds, waterfalls, blue skies and tiny human figures
All seen from a point on the mountain
top that overlooks the valley of Mexico and the village
Form:
Oil on canvas
Realism
Atmospheric perspective
Viewer stands above the mountains
Function:
Wanted to show the beauty of Mexico
The Burghers of Calais. Auguste Rodin. 1884–1895 C.E. Bronze
Context:
The town council of Calais rejected the statue because they wanted a statue of one symbolic man
Content:
6 burghers(middle class people) that are from the burgh/village
Burghers promised their life to the English king( so that the king will save their village from occupation during the Hundred years’ war)
The english king made them wera sacks and carry a key to Calais
All of them are weak
Central character- Eustache de Saint- Pierre
Swollen hands with a noose around his neck
Ready for execution
Form:
Bronze
All figures are individualized
Details were reduced by Roden to emphasized the depravity of the 6 burghers
Function:
Symbolizes the severity of the Hundred Years’ war and French occupation
The Starry Night. Vincent van Gogh. 1889 C.E. Oil on canvas.
Context:
Created by Vincent Van Gogh
Had a various amount of mental illnesses
Painted a lot during his time at the mental hospital (st. Remy)
Painting followed a mental breakdown which had damaged his ear
Content:
Landscape view from artist point of view( the hospital room in St.Remy)
Mountains in the distance
Sleepless exaggerated in the moon
Wave like-movements flow left to right
Cypress trees are a symbol of death of eternal life and it is reaching up into the sky
It is of the night sky
Form:
Oil on canvas
Composite landscape
Short, thick brushstrokes
Parts of the canvas can be seen through the paint
Function:
Landscape study or night sky study
Expression of the artist mental illness
The Coiffure. Mary Cassatt. 1890–1891 C.E. Drypoint and aquatint.
Context:
De- eroticizes nakedness
Global influences
Created by Mary Cassatt
Europe was fascinated by Japan
Content:
Naked woman sitting in a chair facing a mirror
Fixing her hair
Asian influence in background( decorative prints)
Shows what is considered a femine moment
Form:
In the style of japanese prints
Light brushstrokes
2-Dimensional
Sketch
Reproducible print
Function:
The Scream. Edvard Munch. 1893 C.E. Tempera and pastels on cardboard.
Context:
Shows synthesia
Synthesia is the synthesis of the senses
Ex. relating a associating a color with a smell
The Scream’s swirls reflects understanding of synthesis
Content:
Adrogynous and elongated figure screams with hands on both sides of their face
Two figures seem to be walking on the bridge
Sea blends into the sky
Form:
Vibrant color contrast
Skewed proportions (everything swirls into itself)
Movements of uncertainty
Function:
Semi-autobiographical
Refers to an experience or event that Munch had with friends
Usage of different mediums
Part a study in a series called “The Frieze of Life”
To test out different techniques and mediums to create the art piece
Where Do We Come From? What Are We? Where Are We Going? (Paul Gauguin. 1897–1898 C.E. Oil on canvas)
Context:
Symbolism
Colors play an important role
2-dimensional
Expressive, non- naturalistic
r
Content:
Tahitian natives depicting scenes of the stages of life (birth,adulthood,etc)
Figures are partially clothed
Form:
Continuous narrative (friezes)
Multi-perspective view in the background
Function:
Multiple interpretations (enigmatic)
A private work for Gaugin
Carson, Pirie, Scott and Company Building. (Chicago, Illinois, U.S. Louis Sullivan (architect). 1899–1903 C.E. Iron, steel, glass, and terra cotta)
Context:
Diverging from a traditional vertical effect when depicting a skyscraper
Art Nouveau
Industrial materials reflect organic forms
Content:
Tripartite
Open and accessible ground level
Infinite number of levels
Distinct attic line
Highlights the ground floor
Ground floor has large windows to emphasize space
Form:
Steel-frame skyscraper
Art Nouveau decorative program
Cast-iron ornamentation covers the entryway and ground level
floral , intricate designs
Function:
Department store
Highlights the ground level entryway to entice shoppers into the building
Mont Sainte-Victoire. (Paul Cézanne. 1902–1904 C.E. Oil on canvas)
Context:
A part of a series
Adopted impressionism
Paul Cezanne bought a few arces on the hill of Les Lauves
Content
Has a limestone mountain (1011 meter high)
The hometown of Paul Cezanne down below
Heightened lyricism
View point from the hill of Les Lauves which is located north of the Aix
Divides painting into three horizontal parts
Form:
Rough patches yellow, emerald, and viridian green
In contrast blues, violets, grey
Did subtle adjustments
Has flatness and depth
Function:
Wanted to capture the beauty of the mountain from close to where he lived
Les Demoiselles d’Avignon. (Pablo Picasso. 1907 C.E. Oil on canvas)
Context:
Often called a creative vacuum - cleaner because he used inspiration from many arts styles
Made during the twentieth century
Mask inspired by african mask worn by women
Had a fear of disease(especially syphilis )
Content:
Naked women with stiff postures
Geometric shapes
Sees women in an analytical sense and sees them as an object of desire
Women looking outwards
Two masked figures ( refers to Picasso’s fear of disease)
The middle figure relates to Matisse’s canvas
The still fruit is a symbol of sexaulity
Supposed to be from the male gaze
Form:
Oil on canvas
Function
Expression of his desire and fear
The Steerage. (Alfred Stieglitz. 1907 C.E. Photogravure)
Context:
Photograph was just becoming its own art form
Emphasized clarity and realism
Focused on the composition rather than the subjects in the piece
Influences by cubist artists
Content:
Diagonals and framing effects of ladders,pipes, frames etc.
Depicts the poorer travelers on the ship from the US to Europe
Steerage = reserved for passengers with the cheapest tickets
Form:
i. Photograph
Function:
To show the social divisions between the upper class,middle class, and lower class
Showcase photography as an art form
The Kiss. (Gustav Klimt. 1907–1908 C.E. Oil and gold leaf on canvas)
Context:
Art Nouveau
To eliminate separation of mediums and combine them all into one
Floral patterns and complex designs
During Modernization of the city of Vienna
Content:
A kissing couple
Her face is calm and passive
His bowed neck shows a sense of desire and passion
Big intricate patterns on the clothing
Male is rectangular while the women is more circular
Reminds the viewer of religious symbolism and byzantine art because of the excess gold
Form:
Oil on canvas with gold leaf
Function:
To show all consuming love and passion
The Kiss. (Constantin Brancusi. Original 1907–1908 C.E. Stone)
Context:
Cubism- breaking down the human form into angles and shapes
Brancusi was a romanian born french sculptures
Romania had a long tradition of stone/wood carving
Content:
Intertwined figures
Woman on the right
Slightly thinner
Eyes slightly smaller
Bulge suggest breast
Two eyes become one
Raw surface and archaic
Intimate moment
Form:
i. Primitive form
Rejected the academy
Limestone
Function:
To Express a subject in its pure form
The Portuguese. (Georges Braque. 1911 C.E. Oil on canvas)
Context:
Analytical cubism
First phrase of cubism
Highly experimental
Worked with Picasso
Fractured form
Nearly monochrome
Exploration of shapes
Not portrait of portuguese musician
Form:
Jagged edges
Sharp and multifaceted lines
Function:
Experimental art
Non-naturalistic
Goldfish. (Henri Matisse. 1912 C.E. Oil on canvas)
Context:
Fauvism
Famous for expressive forms and bold color
One of the biggest artist during his time
Content:
Still life painting of goldfish in a tank
Goldfish - symbol for paradise list
iii. Decorative style
Form:
Used vibrant colors
Violent contrast colors
Thinly applied color
Energetic brushstrokes
Function:
Contemplative exaltation for the viewer
Improvisation 28 (second version). (Vassily Kandinsky. 1912 C.E. Oil on canvas)
Context:
Expressionism inspired by Fauve movement
Big part of Der Blaue Reiter
He is Russian
One of the first non- objective paintings
Content:
Abstract painting of music composition
Inspired by Der Blaue reiter
Form:
Strong balck lines
Colors shade around lines
abstract
Function
Non- objective
Wanted the viewer to respond to the painting the way they would respond to a composition of music
Self-Portrait as a Soldier. (Ernst Ludwig Kirchner. 1915 C.E. Oil on canvas)
Context:
Found German expressionist group called Die Brucke ( the Bridge)
Used influences of african and central asian and and primitive
The group disbanded in 1913
Kirchner volunteered as a driver in the military
Soon declared unfit for service
Content:
Masterpiece of psychological drama
Severed hand is a metaphor ( injury to his identity as an artist)
Kirchner dressed in a uniform standing in a studio with an amputated arm and a nude model next to him
Complicated coming of age story
Suggest sexual relationship with model
Form:
Oil on canvas
Function:
Representation of injury as an artist
Memorial Sheet for Karl Liebknecht. (Käthe Kollwitz. 1919–1920 C.E. Woodcut)
Context:
The artist does ot depict people often
Made after the end of World war
During communist uprising in Germany
Liked Liebknecht charisma but thought the SPD ( societal democrat ic party of Germany)would have been better
leaders
Content:
Three horizontal sections
Space of the print is compressed
Multiple people coming to pay their respects to the deceased person
A man has his hand on Liebknecht’s chest ( the deceased person)
The body of martyr revolutionary ( Liebknecht)
Women and child leaning over ( Kollwitz often focused on women and children)
Form:
printmaking
Function:
Memorial piece for Liebknecht, a german communist
Villa Savoye. (Poissy-sur-Seine, France. Le Corbusier (architect). 1929 C.E. Steel and reinforced concrete)
Context:
Developed theories on modern architecture
Sought to isolate type forms( universal elements of design that can work together)
Content:
Represents the cumulation of modern architecture
Located outside of Paris
Apart of a series of housesf
Free facade
Ribbon windows
Ribbon terraces
Ground floor painted green
Ramp winds from entrance up to a salon
Integration of indoor and outdoor spaces
Form:
Usedsteel and reinforced
Function:
Offered an escape from the city for wealthy patrons
Both a functional house and a architectural sculpture
Composition with Red, Blue and Yellow. (Piet Mondrian. 1930 C.E. Oil on canvas)
Context:
Neo-plasticism
Plastic used to describe paintings on canvas, sculptures, 3 dimensional forms
Used abstraction in his art often
Studied art academics in Hague and Amsterdam
Lived in the Netherlands
Was inspired by cubism and Picasso
Loved to experiment with abstract forms
Multiple perspectives
Content
Consist of red, yellow, blu, white and black
Rectilinear forms
Horizontal and vertical lines
Form:
Consist of red, blue yellow, white and black
Oil on canvas
Function
Wanted to depict the underlying structure of reality
Wanted to experiment with abstract forms
Illustration from The Results of the First Five-Year Plan. (Varvara Stepanova. 1932 C.E. Photomontage.)
Context
Communism was rising during this time
Russia became communist Soviet Union and created five year plans for the economy
Stepanova considered herself as a constructivist and focused on portraying the ideals of the Soviet Union
Well know for her contributions to the USSR in Construction magazine
Content
On the left, it has public speaker on a platform with the number 5 ( this symbolizes the five year plan)
Has place cards showing the CCCP and the USSR
Has a portrait of Lenin, the founder of the Soviet Union, speaking
Has wires that go to an electrical transmission tower
Red for the soviet union flag
Large crowd that shows the popularity of Sralins beliefs
Form
Photomontage - a montage from constructed photographic images
Used sepia photographs alternating between white and black
Function
To commemorate the ideals of Soviet Union
Object (Le Déjeuner en fourrure). (Meret Oppenheim. 1936 C.E. Fur-covered cup, saucer, and spoon):
Context:
She was at lunch with picasso and Dora Maar
Picasso and Dora Maar marveled at Oppenheim’s fur bracelet and said almost anything can be covered in fur
Then as a joke Oppenheim asked the waiter for more fur ( menat keep my tea warm)
Content
A cup , saucer and spoon wrapped in gazelle fur
Form
Surrealism
Made out drinking items and fur
Function
She pesses that you can actually feel the fur on your lips as if you were drinking from the cup
Preferred a non- objective title for this work
Many people tried to push a sexual meaning on the piece of work but Oppenheim most likely did not mean it to be sexual
Fallingwater. Pennsylvania, U.S. (Frank Lloyd Wright (architect). 1936–1939
C.E. Reinforced concrete, sandstone, steel, and glass.)
Context
In the forest of Southwest pennsylvania
Two architects opened a Modern Architecture: international exhibit
To help the turmoils of architects during the Great Depression and afterwards
Alot of catalougues condemned Wright for his creations saying it wasn’t innovative
Wright made an apprenticeship called the fellowship
Criticism changed after this house
Content
House perched on a rocky hillside above a mountain cataract
With water flowing down from the bottom of the house
Form
Reinforced concrete, sandstone, steel and glass
Function
Was a personal milestone for the architect
Was a weekend home for Kaufmann
The Two Fridas. (Frida Kahlo. 1939 C.E. Oil on canvas)
Context
Surrealism
Abstract traditions of biomorphic forms
Vertistic tradition of using reality based subjects put together in unusual forms
Kahlo rejected the surrealism label
Rivera often cheated on Kahlo and Kahlo cheated on him but Kahhlo wanted to be together and stop cheating
Was getting a divorce from Rivera
Content
Juxtaposition of two self portraits
A spanish lady in white lace - on the left
A mexican woman that is a peasant on the right
Two hearts are intertwined by viens that is cut by scissors by the end
The viens led to a portrait of her husband and artist Rivera
Infetile land in the background
Vein= umbilical cord
Blood in lap suggest the many miscarriages and abortions in her life
Form
Oil on canvas
Function
Used to express her pain during that time
The Migration of the Negro, Panel no. 49. (Jacob Lawrence. 1940–1941 C.E. Casein tempera on hardboard)
Context
The harlem renaissance
The great migration
Apart of a series depicting the great migration
Content
A public restaurant in the north that was heavily segregated shown by the yellow pole splitting the black people from the white people
Form
Flat colors
Flat simple shapes
Geometric forms
Forms hover in large spaces
Tempera on hardboard
Function
Aimed to depict the great migration form the rural south to the north
The Jungle. (Wifredo Lam. 1943 C.E. Gouache on paper mounted on canvas)
Context
Lam is a famous refined artist from Cuba
Around the time where a revolutio happened in Cuba that overthrew Cuba’s leader
In 1920s- 1930s Lam lived in Europe then left because of the war and went back to his home country
Influenced by Afro- Carribean culture and surrealism
Sugarcane was Cuba’s equivalent to Cotton in America
Content
Clusters of enigmatic faces, limbs, and sugarcane
Kind of a game of perception
Willowy arms and legs
Seems not the have enough feet and legs for each figure
Form
Diapproniate bodys and figures
Dense at the top and open at the bottom
Gouache on paper mounted on canvas
Function
Intended to communicate a psychic state
Dream of a Sunday Afternoon in the Alameda Park. (Diego Rivera. 1947–1948 C.E. Fresco.)
Context
Deigo Rivera famous painter from Mexico who was married to Kahlo
Surrealism
Never official joined the surrealist
Afterwards the overthrown dictator of Mexico
Content
Depicts over 400 characters from Mexican history walking together through a garden
Lighthearted elements- colorful balloon and bright flowers and plants
Darker elements- conflict between police and indigenous family and smiling skeleton
Middle highlights the life of the Mexican elite
In contrast to the improvertish life of mexicans
Shows the genocide and oppression
The dream of democracy
Religious idealism and religious intolerance
Frida Kahlo holding yin and yang ( represents their relationship)
Shows his love for Kahlo and her declining health
Woman in european clothes
Feather boa on Catrina’s neck = Quetzalcoatl ( mesoamerican serpent god)
Form
Figures overlap
In the form of a mural or fresco
Mecxican muralism
Function
Commemorate Mexiacn history
Critique of the upper class in Mexico
Fountain (second version). (Marcel Duchamp. 1950 C.E. (original 1917). Readymade glazed sanitary china with black paint)
Context
Apart of the dada movement ( criticism of what is considered and what can be art)
Dada translates to hobby horse or nonsense
Dadaist abandoned conventional art and art techniques
Content
Upside down urinal with a signature
Form
Ready made sculpture
Function
irony
Woman, I. (Willem de Kooning. 1950–1952 C.E. Oil on canvas)
Context
Abstract expressionism
First American avant-garde art movement
Action painting
Inspired by neolithic goddess and pin up girls
A part of a series
Created by Willem de Kooning
Content
Angry woman baring her teeth
Large eyes
Exaggerated breast
Blank stare and frozen grin
Form
Slashing paints
Jagged lines
Vague background
Thick black lines
Function
It represents the quote from the artist “Beauty becomes petulant to me. I like the grotesque”
Seagram Building. (New York City, U.S. Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Philip Johnson (architects). 1954–1958 C.E. Steel frame with glass curtain wall and bronze)
Context
International style of architecture
Thought a house should be a “machine for the living”
modern
Content
Minimalistic
Vertical and horizontal lines
Form
Steel frame with glass walls and bronze
Set back from a plaza
Bronze veneer - giving monolithic
Modelo f a skyscraper
Function
wanted structural items to be evident
Marilyn Diptych. (Andy Warhol. 1962 C.E. Oil, acrylic, and silkscreen enamel on canvas)
Context
Pop art
Marilyn Monroe was very famous
She died of overdose in her house
Content
Marilyn Monroe’ s face repeated many times
Right- black and white(marilyn’s death
)
Left- in color( marilyn’s life
Form
Rectangular screen- printed photographic images
Film from Nigara was used
Repetition
Function
Mocks the cult of celebrity ( people’s obsession with celebrities
Fights the idea that art has to be solely unique
Narcissus Garden. (Yayoi Kusama. Original installation and performance 1966. Mirror balls)
Context
She volunteered to live in a mental health facility
Has a long history of mental illness
Uses the story of Narcissus ( Narcissist) inspo
Recreation of Narcissus garden in mythology
Content
Many ( 1,500)plastic, mirror balls
Balls were tightly arranged
Reflection repeated and distorted
Form
Mirror balls
Function
Makes people confort vanity and ego
Protest against commercialized art
The Bay. (Helen Frankenthaler. 1963 C.E. Acrylic on canvas)
Context
Abstract expressionist
Content
A bay in Michigan
Form
Painted unprimed canvas(canvas soaked up a lot of the paint)
Runny paint
Very 2 dimensional
Atmospheric painting
Violet to indigo
Function
Just for art
Lipstick (Ascending) on Caterpillar Tracks. (Claes Oldenburg. 1969–1974 C.E. Cor-Ten steel, steel, aluminum, and cast resin; painted with polyurethane enamel)
Context
Pop art
Made during the time students were protesting the Vietnam War
Made in collaboration with yale students
Experimented with lipstick forms v.
Content
A tube of lipstick sprouting from military vehicle
Lipstick was seen as bullet and phallic shaped
Combined feminie(lipstick) and masculine (war)
Form
24 feet high
Function
Anti-war
U.S consumption and beauty was a distraction from the Vietnam war and what is actually happening in the world
Spiral Jetty. (Great Salt Lake, Utah, U.S. Robert Smithson. 1970 C.E. Earthwork: mud, precipitated salt crystals, rocks, and water coil.)
Context
Artist was interested in the blood like waters of the lake
Example of site art sometimes called Earth art
Content
A spiral jetty in the middle in the great salt lake
Form
Mud, rocks, crystals, water coil
Earthwork
Used a tractor with native stones
An extremely remote area
Function
Jetties are supposed to be piers
House in New Castle County. (Delaware, U.S. Robert Venturi, John Rauch, and Denise Scott Brown (architects). 1978–1983 C.E. Wood
frame and stucco)
Context
Post modern architecture( developed in late 70s - early 80s)
Content
Surrounded by hills and forest
Wife is a musician = has a well stocked music room
Husband is a bird watcher=large windows
Post modern looks with historic looks
Front facade = floating arch
Rear facade= prominent arch
Doric colonnades
Grand whimsical interior
Chandeliers
Form
A geometric shapes
Function
Designed for a family of three
Conical tower and circular wall of Great Zimbabwe. Southeastern Zimbabwe. (Shona peoples. c. 1000–1400 C.E. Coursed granite blocks)
Context:
Took over 30 years to complete
Conical tower believed to be made to worship the god Mulan
Built in a time of great wealth success of Great Zimbabwe
Content:
Zimbabwe=Judicial Center or Ruler’s court
Clay structure, excavations have revealed interior furnishings such as pot- stands, elevated surfaces for sleeping and sitting as well as hearth
Form:
3 areas:
Hill Ruin (on a rocky hill-top)
Incorporates a cave that remains sacred site for Shona ppl today; cave accommodate the residence of the ruler and his immediate family;
Held a structure surrounded 30 feet high walls
Flanked by cylindrical towers: monoliths carved with elaborate geometric patterns
The Great Enclosure:
Walled structure punctuated with turrets and monoliths; massive outer wall id 32 feet high
Inside Great Enclosure is a smaller wall parallel to the exterior wall creating a tight passageway leading to large towers
Accommodate a surplus population and it's religious and administrative activities
Valley Ruins:
Hub for commercial exchange and long distance trade; found porcelain fragments and long distance trade, beads crafted in SE Asia and copper
Monolithic soapstone sculpture of a seated bird resting atop of a register of zig zags
Conical Tower: walls were constructed from granite blocks; had no military function; didn’t use mortar to bind the stones; ashlar masonry carefully cut the stone walls
Symbolize the power and prestige of the rulers: a shona ruler shows his largess towards his subjects through his granaly, often distributing grains: symbolizing his protection
i. Geometric shapes and Patterns
Function
Wall separated the commoners from the royal families
Circular wall=demonstrate power and protect houses and the commercial markets
Long distance=trade
Great Mosque of Djenné. (Mali. Founded c. 1200 C.E.; rebuilt 1906–1907. Adobe)
Context:
Largest mud-brick structure in the world
Rebuild 3 times
Built in a market place
Ostrich egg represents fertility
Tombs of great Islamic Scholars are adjacent to the mosque
Content:
3 minarets
Earthen roof
Qibla faces Mecca
Terracotta lids over holes on the roof
Imber poles poke out of the mosque called torons for decorations and climbing the mosque for replatering
Straits symbolizes transition from everyday life of the marketplace to a sacred place
Form:
Made from cylindrical adobe (mudbrick)
Made by hand with contribution from the whole society– complex organization of society
Supported by massive pillars
Contains a Mihrab
Function:
Signs of the chiefs religious devotion to Islam
Mosque=center for prayers and community
Location of crepissage, a festival dedicated to the replastering of the mosque: communal effort
Wall plaque, from Oba’s palace. (Edo peoples, Benin (Nigeria). 16th century C.E. Cast brass)
Context:
Beninese mainly traded Portuguese empire
A new system of trade that was recently enabled due to the British imperial conquests of Benin
Portuguese empire began declining around the 18th century and British began making inroads into Benin
Portuguese seek mutually beneficial trade whereas British sought to dominate the local ppl and extract resources
Content:
Depicts the King attended by several court attendants; king depicted in the center=emphasize his power
Attendants appear smaller than the king (Benin artists had not used depth yet)
King is shown riding horse and wearing expensive necklaces and jewelry
Hierarchical scale is used to show the relative importance of the Oba to the surrounding figures
Distinct use of proportion in which the Oba’s head is larger because Oba was known as “Great Head” as he is the center of wisdom/power
Form:
Cast brass relief plaque
Brass=valuable material
Plaque combines traditional depictions of figures and brass work of European cultures
Function:
Decorated palace walls. Plaques were made in pairs and attached to pillars
Shows court rituals that occurred in palace and the order of plaques in the palace show the history of the Kingdom
Sika dwa kofi (Golden Stool). (Ashanti peoples (south central Ghana). c. 1700
C.E. Gold over wood and cast-gold attachments)
Context:
The ashanti group is the largest ethnic group in Ghana today
Their king Osei Tutu
Believed the golden stool descended from the heavens to Osei Tutu and the chiefs
Priest - Okomfo Anokye
The stool is sacred
King is viewed as a divine medium
The kingdom was rich in gold
Lost the Ashanti war against the Europeans that exploited the people and the land for gold
The ashanti people people hid the stool away from the Europeans to keep it safe
Content
A seat with two bells tied to the end
Intricate designs in the middle part
Small figures attached to the seat
Believed to contained the soul of the people
Form
Gold over wood
18 inches high
24 inches long
12 inches wide
carved using ashanti methods
Crescent shaped seat
Function
It is a sacred piece for the Ashanti people
Ndop (portrait figure) of King Mishe miShyaang maMbul. (Kuba peoples (Democratic Republic of the Congo). c. 1760–1780 C.E. Wood)
Context
Made by the Kuba people
Commissioned by Kuba King Mishe miShyaang maMbul at height of his reign
Stolen by a colonial minister and then sold to the Brooklyn museum
Kuba kingdom flourished during the 17th to 18th century
Content
Calm, expressionless faces
Sits cross legged on a platform
Holds a royal drum and a belt to identify the king
Captures the ideal king
Other symbols of the king;s wealth and family are included
Head center of intelligence
Form
Exaggerated features
Not individualistic characters
Function
Ndop is a record of the king’s rule
Celebrates his rule and generosity
Power figure (Nkisi n’kondi). (Kongo peoples (Democratic Republic of the Congo). c. late 19th century C.E. Wood and metal)
Context:
Spiritual importance and protection=important to kingo ppl
Power figures were confiscated and destroyed by missionaries of the late 19th century when found because they were evidence of sorcery
Carved by a spiritual specialist who activates the figure by driving nails, blades, and other metal objects into it's wooden surface to make it angry and rouse it into action
Would be activated by a Shaman by the storage of medicinal combinations (bilongo) in the head to create a link between the spiritual and physical world
Content:
Wooden human figure meant to highlight it's function in human
Elongated belly button with cowrie shell fertility link to ancestors and wealth
Often contain medicinal combinations inside them covered by a piece of glass (Glass represent the other world)
Nkisi container of sacred substances activated by supernatural forces that summon spirits into the natural world
Form:
Imposing figure leaning forward wide stance signifies strength and importance
Contains different types of insertions
Function:
Used as reminders of social obligations and enforcers of proper behavior
Brought healing and protection to the community
Symbolize an honoring of contracts and agreements
Served as a mediator between ancestral spirit world and the living world
Female (Pwo) mask. (Chokwe peoples (Democratic Republic of the Congo). Late 19th to early 20th century C.E. Wood, fiber, pigment, and metal)
Context:
Chokwe is a matrilineal society
Content:
Cingelyengelye on forehead and cheeks
Hairstyle = common chokwe women hairstyle called coat which includes a braided headband and heavy fringe coated with red earth (plaiting)
Pwo- founding mother and deity who represents fertility
This mask represent Pwo Meana: a younger and more idealized form
Tattoos:
Left cheek=cingelyengelye: occurred as a necklace in form of a cross cut from the plate and worn by chokwe as an amulet
Right cheek=cuijingo: in combination with a cross denotes a spiral brass bracelet
Forehead=mitelumuna (knitted eyebrows) an allusion to discontentedness or arrogance
Under the eyes is the masoji, signifying tears
Whiteness around the eyes: spiritual realm /her eyes are important part of face
Huge eyes suggest that she is on a different level of spirituality
Form:
Neat lines and circles use of symmetric shape
Glowing reddish brown surface represents healthy skin
Slender nose, elliptical mouth and hemispherical ears
Function:
Honor a chokwe women who had successfully given birth
2 performers: 1 wearing pwo mask and the other wear male counterpart: they would dance and perform rituals meaning to fibe the tribe fertility and prosperity
Used during male initiation rites to show them the type of ideal type of women that they should because looking for a wife
Portrait mask (Mblo). (Baule peoples (Côte d’Ivoire). Early 20th century C.E. Wood and pigment)
Context:
Baule peoples: 400,000 lived in villages in Cote D'ivoire
Known for wood sculptures and ceremonial masks
Baule society=matriarchal
Content:
Mask is an idealized portrait of Moya Yanso: a women
known in Kami for her beauty and incredible dancing ability; mask displays her at her prime
High forehead and small mouth > convey intelligence and posture
Left eye is slightly higher than right eye; gives feeling of complexity
Tubular pieces above.are just decorative
The folds near the mouth conveys age
Brass would shine in the sunlight to represent good health
Form:
Oblong face shape is black in color with triangular brown marking
Traces of orange and red paint remain near lips, eyes, nose
Nose is long and mouth is closed
Ears are rounded nubs
Function:
Part of masquerade called a gbagba in the village of Kami in the early 1900s
The mask concealed until a climactic moment when they are revealed
Watched by an audience
Masks kept out of sight when not in use
Meant to honor a respected member of Baule society
Bundu mask. (Sande Society, Mende peoples (West African forests of Sierra Leone and Liberia). 19th to 20th century C.E. Wood, cloth, and fiber)
Context:
During ceremonies women bodies were painted with white clay; made them unattractive because they have not become women yet
Mende people = large ethnic group
Patrilineal and patriarchal
Religion: Ngewo-single creator of universe
Content:
Full costume; made of a gown of raffia fibers and the 2-4 ib mask represents sowo
Masks deep black sheen and smoothness: shows ideal image in contrast to the white clay
Sheen created by a coat of palm oil which helps to represent healthy and beautiful skil
Mask is idealized
Stylized neck rings symbolizes fertility, good health, and high status
Small mouth means a women should not gossip
Small ears mean women shouldn’t listen to gossip
Eyes are largely closed and downward cast
4 lines under eyes=ideal aesthetic
Form:
Dark; painted wood materials forms a head that resembles a thimble
A small face with small features is central and towards the bottom of the head
A sharp point extends up from the face, possibly forming the forehead
Geometric designs surround the pointed forehead on either side
Folds extended from the face to the back of the head
Fibers resembles hair extended from head
Function:
Part of a public masquerade that celebrates girls maturation
A female dancer appears in acostume represent sowo (water spirit of the sande society)
Creates an image that young girls should strive for
Thought to be a spirit
Spiritual knowledge and how to be a wife
- Ikenga (shrine figure). (Igbo peoples (Nigeria). c. 19th to 20th century C.E. Wood)
Context:
Made by Igbo people in Nigeria
Began in 19th century
Lives in remote inland area where they are isolated and independent from other tribes
Content:
An “ikenga” is carved wooden figure that has a human face and animal attributes
Horns symbolizes aggressiveness and ambition
because they believe that ram fifth with the head and head initiates good actions
Most Ikenga holds swords=to show power
The figure is carved to resemble whoever commissioned it
Form:
Carved wooden figures
Masculine sculpture genre are so much taller and wider
All have ram horns but vary in size
Function:
Celebrates the Igbos belief in the importance of individual achievement
A source of strength and power for the owner
Emphasize the power of the right hand usually because they hold a sword on right hand
They are also meant to symbolize the significance of that person in society or past accomplishments of the person
Usually get burned with the owner
Lukasa (memory board). (Mbudye Society, Luba peoples (Democratic Republic of the Congo). c. 19th to 20th century C.E. Wood, beads, and metal)
Context:
Start of 1500s, Luba people began to emerge as a powerful nation in central africa
Content:
Wooden plank that has metal beads and other beads specifically placed to make patterns in touch in visualization to discuss the history of the Luba people
Designed specifically to tell a story and remember the past easily for those who are trained to able to do so
Form:
Varied in size but small enough to hold
Function:
Used as a way to record and remember important times and events in Luba people’s society
Men of memory could only read it
Readers must hold it in their left hand and trace patterns with their right index fingers
Aka elephant mask. (Bamileke (Cameroon, western grassfields region). c. 19th to 20th century C.E. Wood, woven raffia, cloth, and beads)
Context:
Kuosi-elite masking society that owned and wore these includes: royal family, wealth title holders and warriors
Content:
Intended to worship the elephant-this animal was always seen as a symbol of sovereignty and royal authority
Beads imported from venice and middle east represent great wealth and status
Black beads- relationship between living and the dead
White beads-ancestors and medicines
Red Beads-life and women
Triangular pattern of beads-similar to the configuration of a leopard’s spots: this animal was also seen as a great symbol of power and authority: required a lot of respect
Form:
Composed of colored cloth and beads
Round eyes with read beads and white cloth-strong navy blue tones in the cloth
cowrie shells decorated on the face and rest of mask
2 long panels and represent the elephant trunk-woven raffia fiber adorns the edges of the trunch
Geometric designs
2 circles=elephant ears
Function:
This piece of art was meant to be used in performance-the wearer also wore a tunic and a decorative headdress very dramatic- many ppl wore these masks and emerge from a large palace compound
Purpose was to emphasize the complete power and dominance of the Bamileke King
Reliquary figure (byeri). (Fang peoples (southern Cameroon). c. 19th to 20th century C.E. Wood)
Context:
Fangs lived in rainforest: Equatorial Africa
Fang ppl believe ancestors had power even in afterlife so they worshipped and preserved men who found lineages and women who were successfully given birth to many children
These figures sits on top of reliquary boxes: nomadic culture of
Content
Head is symbolic of infant with the body of an adult
Highlights the continuous cycle of the human development
Enlarged head- intelligence
Bulging belly button and high forehead- a recently born baby
Bulging muscles
Infants form a link between living and the dead
Expressionless face
Symmetrical body
Elongated torso
Downcasted eye
Closed mouth
Popular hairstyle of men at that time
Form
Reduced Geometric forms
Wooden carved figure
Abstract
Function
Guarded family reliquary boxes( container for holy relics)
Express spiritual ideas
Veranda post of enthroned king and senior wife (Opo Ogoga). (Olowe of Ise (Yoruba peoples). c. 1910–1914 C.E. Wood and pigment)
Context
Shows influential style that has been in Yoruba for centuries
Most important of the four veranda post commissioned, focal point
Content:
Depicts the King seated
Senior wife behind him, crowning him, is in large scale to show her importance
A junior wife is at his feet along with a trickster god, Esu, playing the flute and a fan bearer (now missing)
Exaggerated proportions
Interrelationship with the other figures and open space between them
Conveys a close relationship between the King and the Queen
Patterns of beads in queen’s bracelet repeated in the King’s crown
Form:
One of the four carved wooden posts., painted with an unknown pigment
Function:
Veranda post
Structural support for palace at Ikere
Great Stupa at Sanchi. (Madhya Pradesh, India. Buddhist; Maurya, late Sunga Dynasty. c. 300 B.C.E.–100 C.E. Stone masonry, sandstone on dome)
Context:
Located on a hill in the countryside; largest of several stupas in the area; surrounded by remains of other monastic buildings
Emperor Ashoka (famous for converting Buddhism) recompense for slaughtering of thousands in battle
Ashoka divided up those remains into many different locations throughout India including Sanchi
4 gateways added around 75-100 B.C.E
Content:
Exterior parts: Chatra-triple umbrella structure symbolizing the 3 jewels of Buddhism: the Buddha, Dharma (doctrine) and Sangha (community)
Central pillar symbolizes the cosmic axis; supports the chatra
Dome symbolizes dome of heaven enclosing the earth
Upper level walkway: aka medhi; elevated terrace; 16 ft above ground
Form:
Stone and sandstone (stupas)=domed structured; evolved from earthen mounds containing relics
The Stupa evolved into a pagoda form
Function:
Site for worship and meditation
Devotees walk around in clockwise fashion
Venerated as a symbol of the Budda’s final movements
Terracotta warriors from the mausoleum of the first Qin emperor of China. (Qin Dynasty. c. 221–209 B.C.E. Painted terra cotta)
Context:
During Emperor Qin reign, he introduced standardization of currency, writing measurements and more
He connected cities and states with advanced systems of road and canals
He was also credited with continuing the construction of the Great Wall
Content:
Army includes warriors, infantry men, horses, chariots, and all their attendant armour and weaponry
There are unusually high amount of mercury around this place
Historians may have believe that the emperor may have set up a system of mercury rivers: some evidence points to the fact that he believed in the life-giving power of mercury
Form:
Emperor Win lined his burial complex with a treasury of riches and piles of precious gemstones said to represent the star, moon and sun
All had unique faces
Function:
The First Emperor ascended to the throne of Qin state at the age of 13; he began to plan his burial and underground palace and army to carry/conquer with him into the afterlife
Made to guard the tomb
Funeral banner of Lady Dai (Xin Zhui). (Han Dynasty, China. c. 180 B.C.E. Painted silk)
Context:
She was an elite member of the Han Dynasty
It was expansive and powerful stretched to as far as the Roman Empire; Elite lived in an enclosed village around the emperor
Content:
It is comprised of 4 horizontal registers
Heavenly Realm:
Wider and longer than the other registers; two men stand guarding the gate to the heavenly realm; deity with dragon
body and human head; pink sun and crescent moon which were used to portray the supernatural aspect of the heavenly world
Lady and her attendants:
Portrait of Lady Dai in an expensive embroidered silk robe; leaning on a staff; standing on a platform; Two servants in front of her and three being; She is focal point of this register; she is standing on a bi or a disk with a whole, thought to represent the sky
Body of Lady Dai with Mourners:
Sacrificial funerary rituals; there are large containers and vase-shaped vessels; two rows of mourners are present
Underworld:
Two huge black fish; red snake; two blue goat; being in the underworld symbolize water and death
Form:
Painted silk
Made from wood and has lacquered exterior and interiors
The dimension of coffin is 256x118x114 cm
Function:
Display wealth
A burial shrouds that assisted the soul on it's journey to the afterworld
Longmen caves. (Luoyang, China. Tang Dynasty. 493–1127 C.E. Limestone)
Context:
800,000 people worked on site
Inscription states that Empress Wu Zetian was the patroness; used her private funds to finance the project
Buddhism transmitted to China by chance and intermittently
Content:
Includes 110,000 Buddhist stone, statues, and more than 60 stupas and 2800 inscriptions on steles
Central Binyang cave-508 C.E.; previously painted
Fengxian Temple: Vaircana Buddha has monk attendants (bodhisattvas) and guardians
Form:
Bodhisattvas- enlightened ppl who delayed entrance to paradise to help others reach enlightenment
Smiling Buddha/rectangular face=common
high relief: sculpture are carved into existing limestone
Function:
Record the lineage of the patriarchs who passed on Buddhism
Asserted sovereignty and power
Used for assimilation
Gold and jade crown. (Three Kingdoms Period, Silla Kingdom, Korea. Fifth to sixth century C.E. Metalwork)
Context:
Korea was split into 3 kingdoms and this crown was found in the Silla Kingdom which took up most of the southeast territory
This piece shows the connection that korea had with the Eutrasian steppe; they used the same burial techniques as the Chinese
Connection to the outside world and influence of other cultures
Content:
Have 3 branches coming from headband which represents sacred tree that once stood in the ritual precinct of Gyeongju: connected heaven and earth
The two antlers coming off the piece represent the reindeer that were native to the eurasian steppe
Gold disk and jade pieces were called gogok: these are supposed to be ripe fruits that represents the land fertility and abundance
Form:
Made from gold and jade; granulated meal suggest idea of trade
Function:
Placed in burial mounds when royal family members died; worn by high ranking people
Todai-ji. (Nara, Japan. Various artists, including sculptors Unkei and Kaikei, as well as the Kei School. 743 C.E.; rebuilt c. 1700. Bronze and wood (sculpture); wood with ceramic- tile roofing (architecture))
Context:
Has been destroyed during military unrest
Reflects combination of Buddhist and politics
Great Buddha took 6 years to complete: annual ritual cleaning ceremony of statue
Content:
Massive hall (hondo) is located at its center or the daibutsuden=great buddha hall
Supported by 84 cypress pillars
2 nine story pagodas (multi-tiered towers; an evolution of stupa) a lecture hall and quarters were added later by the monks
The guardian kings: no guardian figures: one on either side of the gate; 2 massive wooden sculptures; intricate swirling drapery, fierce forbidding looks and gestures; powerful/dynamic bodies; dramatic contrappostos
The Great Budda: massive bronze statue; sits atop of a lotus petals which contains historical content; reflective of the elegant naturalistic style of the Nara era
South Gate: 2 stones are the same size; roof supported by huge pillars; nandai men
Form:
Great Eastern temple: referred to its location: on eastern edge of city of Nara (Japan’s capital)
Function:
Commissioned by emperor Shomu; promote spiritual unity among Japanese provinces to unite them under his rule
Borobudur Temple. (Central Java, Indonesia. Sailendra Dynasty. c. 750–842 C.E. Volcanic-stone masonry)
Context:
at one point in the year, the sun comes up and perfectly aligns with top dome- not on equinox
Content:
stupas on top have buddhas inside, buddhas face outward, base = kamadhatu- 160 reliefs of sin, middle = radhitu-
transition from life to heavens, top = arupadhatu- abode of gods
Form:
three levels, square base, round top, sculptures, reliefs, bottom is most ornate, top is least ornate,
Function:
made to represent the path of life, enlightenment, and ascension after death
Angkor, the temple of Angkor Wat, and the city of Angkor Thom, Cambodia. (Hindu, Angkor Dynasty. c. 800–1400 C.E. Stone masonry, sandstone.)
Context:
Became Cambodian Flag
Built by King Suryavarman II aka protector of the sun
Content:
Ancient Sanskirt and khmer texts say that temples should be in harmony with nature
they planned it accordingly to sun and moon; the central axis should be aligned with planets; plan of the universe or mandala
Structure: expansive enclosure wall separates the
temple grounds from the moat; temple is comprised of 3 passageways running around temple
galleries and central sanctuary marked by 5 stone towers
Decoration: 1200 square meters of carved bas-relief
Churning of the Ocean of Milk:
Shows the beginning of the time and creation of universe
Devas (Gods fighting asura (demons)) to save the earth amirta (elixir of life)
Playing tug a war with Naga (shake) to churn oceans
Once elixir is released Indra (king of Gods) is seen descending to collect it
Form:
Largest religious monuments (400 kilometer large)
Contains various capitals of Khemer empire
Function:
Dedicated to Vishnu= protector or preserver
Lakshmana Temple. (Khajuraho, India. Hindu, Chandella Dynasty. c. 930–950 C.E. Sandstone)
Context:
Built by the Chandella kings in their newly-created capital of Khajuraho
Content:
Central deity is Vishnu in his 3 headed form known as Vaikuntha who sits inside the temple inner womb chamber
Sculpture has a harmonious integration with the architecture
Figures=sensuous with revealing clothing
Depicts idealized female beauty; sculptures of loving couples=mithuna (state of being a couple); erotic poses symbol his regeneration
Form:
Made of five store and ashlar masonry
Nagara style Hindu Temple
Consist of a shrine known as vimana and a flat roofed entry porch known as mandapa
Shrine of Nagara temples includes a base platform and large superstructure known as sikhara which viewers can see from a distance
Function:
Residence of a God
Devotees approach the temple from the east and walk around (Circumambulation)
Travelers among Mountains and Streams. (Fan Kuan. c. 1000 C.E. Ink and colors on silk)
Context:
Only surviving work by Fan Kuan; painted during Song Dynasty
Neo-Confucianism: thinkers rebuilt Confucian ethics using Buddhist and Daoist metaphysics
Content:
Boulders in foreground; rocky outcroppings covered in trees; 2 men driving donkeys with firewood
Temple partially hidden in forest; Gritty rick takes up ⅔ of picture; in the background central peak flanked by smaller peaks
Contains immense details
Long waterfall on right balanced by mountain on left
Man seen as small and insignificant in vast natural world
Form:
7 feet long hanging scroll
Take advantage of seale to increase grandeur and monumentality of mtns by decreasing the size of ppl.
Function:
Expresses cosmic vision on man’s harmonious existence in vast/orderly existence
Shows the Neo-Confucian search for absolute truth in nature
Shiva as Lord of Dance (Nataraja). (Hindu; India (Tamil Nadu), Chola Dynasty.
c. 11th century C.E. Cast bronze)
Context:
Nataraja is a depiction of the god Shiva as the cosmic dancer who performs his divine dance to destroy a weary universe and make preparations for the god Brahma to start the process of creation
Content:
IT combines shiva;s roles as creator, preserver, and destroyer of the universe and conveys the Indian conception of the never- ending cycle of time. His upper right hand holds the damaru. His upper left hand holds the agni.
The symbol implies that, through belief in Shiva, his devotees can achieve salvation
Form:
It's decorative and representational
Function:
It’s used to praise Shiva
Night Attack on the Sanjô Palace. (Kamakura Period, Japan. c. 1250–1300 C.E. Handscroll (ink and color on paper))
Context:
Commemorates a 12th century incident
Made surin the Kamakura period
Sanjo palace incident just part of the Heiji insurrection 1159-60
The scroll was part of another set
Content:
Vibrant color and outline
Characters appear multiple times
Narrative scene
Tangled mass of bodes; lone archer leads escape from burning palace with commander on horseback
Form:
Emaki-Japanese handscroll
Example of Otoko-e “men painting”
The action moves from right to left: strong diagonal lines emphasizes movement
Written introduction
25 feet long: get progressively chaotic
Function:
Designed to be unrolled and viewed up close
Informative about the Heiji Rebellion
Important reference painting to study bc it's very detailed
The David Vases.(Yuan Dynasty, China. 1351 C.E. White porcelain with cobalt- blue underglaze)
Context:
Blue porcelain was imported from Iran
Vases were purchased by David
Content:
Tall white vessels decorated with blue stylized dragons, birds, clouds, and floral designs
Elephant = head shaped handles
Neck and food of vase= leaves and flowers
Inscription: commissioned for a general at a Daoist Temple
Form:
Glazed: cobalt blue paint
Porcelain= white ceramic
Very fine white clay 1300 degrees shimmery finish
Firing technique oxidizes it
Function:
Were made as an altarpiece along with a incense burner to honor a general who had recently been made into a god due to his supernatural wisdom, power, and ability to tell the future
Portrait of Sin Sukju (1417–1475). (Imperial Bureau of Painting. c. 15th century
C.E. Hanging scroll (ink and color on silk))
Context:
Sin Sukju is a scholar and politician that rose to status of Prime Minister in 1445
Rank badges are typically made of embroidered silk and it indicated rank of anyone from local official to the emperor
Content:
Depicts Sin as an official honored for his service to the court and loyalty to the king during a chaotic period
Dressed in official robes with rank badge on chest
Rank badge has a pair of peacocks surrounded by plants and clouds
He is seated in a full-length view, head turned slightly, only one ear showing common during that time period
Wrinkles and solemn expression exudes wisdom and signity
Detail on face contrasts with simplicity of attire
Form:
The portrait is facing slightly to the right
This is a hanging scroll made from ink and color on silk
Function:
Meant to honor the accomplishments of the distinguished court member and eventual prime minister
Forbidden City. (Beijing, China. Ming Dynasty. 15th century C.E. and later. Stone masonry, marble, brick, wood, and ceramic tile)
Context:
Palace operated for over 500 years; was originally built to solidify power
The 4th son of the Ming Emperor usurped power from his older brother and seized control
In order to solidify his power he moved the capital from Nanjing to Beijing
The Qing dynasty which ruled after Ming Dynasty continued after Ming Dynasty continued this as HQ of the royal court
Content:
Palace is divided into an inner and outer court
Outer: used for state affairs and only men were allied inside
Inner: contained living spaces and was focused on domestic life for imperial family
Main building in the outer court is the hall of supreme harmony where the important decisions of state are made
Main buildings from the inner court are the emperor’s residence known as the Palace of heavenly purity and the empress;s residence is known as the palace of Earthly Tranquility
Form:
Red walls and yellow glazed rood tiles located in the heart of beijing
City=960 meters ling and 750 meters wide
98 buildings and a moat that is 50 meters wide
The design of the Forbidden city follows the ideal cosmic order in confucian ideology
Living quarters were determined by social status
Function:
Palace served as hime to the Chinese emperor and his court
Ryoan-ji. Kyoto, Japan. (Muromachi Period, Japan. c. 1480 C.E.; current design most likely dates to the 18th century. Rock garden)
Context:
Inspired by the aspects of Japanese and Chinese cultures
Shinto: worship of deities in nature
Zen Buddhism: emphasize meditation as a part toward enlightenment
Content:
Zen Dry Garden:
Japanese rock gardens characterized by minimalistic perspectives and abstracted forms
Enclosed courtyard small stones white sand with series of moss islands from which rocks protrude
Asymmetrical arrangement
The white sand racked in wavy patterns: acts as water/reflective of the waves
Wet Garden:
Contains a tea house
Water symbolizes purification: used in rituals
Hojo=main building of the monastery, the abbot’s residence
Form:
Zen Buddhism Temple with 23 sub temples
Function:
Built under the patronage of the Kosokana family
Zen dry garden served as centers for meditation; encourages contemplation
Jahangir Preferring a Sufi Shaikh to Kings. (Bichitr. c. 1620 C.E. Watercolor, gold, and ink on paper)
Context:
Jahangir wanted to bring together distant lands
Used many different aspects of European art
Artists wants to sign his name so he put himself in the painting
Very strong belief in religion so that they made the two holy men bigger and more important than everyone else
Content:
Shows the 4th emperor of the Mughal Dynasty Jahangir: gold flames come out of his head which lead into a gold circle
Moon and sun= represents the ruler's power and his divine knowledge
Seated on a stone inlaid platform and is connected to a hourglass
Embroidered blue carpet with intricate designs
Has the Shaikh or the holy man, who has been put on almost the same level as Jahangir himself
Form:
Mixture of gold, ink, watercolor on traditional asian paper
Function:
Was in an album that had alternating patterns and calligraphy scriptures
Taj Mahal. (Agra, Uttar Pradesh, India. Masons, marble workers, mosaicists, and decorators working under the supervision of Ustad Ahmad Lahori, architect of the emperor. 1632–1653 C.E. Stone masonry and marble with inlay of precious and semiprecious stones; gardens)
Context:
Built by Shah Jahan (5th Mughal ruler)
Tomb for his favorite wife=mumta 2 who died in childbirth
Content:
Enter via forecourt; pass through the gateways inlaid red sandstone
Long water channel (with fountain jets leads to Taj; surrounded by gardens
Taj set on raised panel at north end of gardens
Exterior: topped by bulbous dome and 4 minarets of equal height: minarets are usually for mosques, here they are ornamental instead of functional
Interior: hasht bihisht (8 levels) floorplan references eight levels of muslim paradise; eight halls and side rooms connect to a central space in a cross axial form
Form:
Decoration: walls are inscribed with quranic verses; white marble is carved and inlaid with semi-precious stones: pietra dura technique using italian methods
Mughal architecture tended to use red stone for exterior and white marble for decorations or interiors of tombs or holy places
Function:
Mausoleum and gardens for mumta Jahan
White and Red Plum Blossoms. (Ogata Korin. c. 1710–1716 C.E. Ink, watercolor, and gold leaf on paper)
Context:
Epitomizes Japanese Art
Part of what is known as the Rimpa movement or school of korin
Movement is known for the combination of naturalistic monumental presence, dynamism and sensuality
Initially inspired by chinese literature but shifted to nature nad naturalistic chinese motifs
Invented by Honami and Koetsu: painted on screen and fans
Content:
Painting is abstract and naturalistic
The gold leafs background denies viewers of any sense of the time or geographic location
The stream has an un-naturalistic metallic color but has swirls that show that water is moving
Sharp tapered contour lines gives the work and non-naturalistic upward tilt
Form:
Pair of 2 folds screens
Colors and gold leaf on paper 156×172.2 cm
Techniques=ink and watercolor
Tarashikomi-diluting/blending color
Function:
Establish Korin’s reputation
To preserve and perpetrate the values and characteristics of the Rimpa movement
Traditional Japanese folding door
Under the Wave off Kanagawa (Kanagawa oki nami ura), also known as the Great Wave, from the series Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji. (Katsushika Hokusai. 1830–1833 C.E. Polychrome woodblock print; ink and color on paper)
Context:
Part of series of prints done by Hokusai: called 36 views of Mount Fuji
Kasuchika Hokusai: went by many names; discovered western prints from Dutch trade; created Japanese variant of linear perspective
Dutch influence in low horizon and prussian blue
Mount Fuji: highest mountain in Japan; considered sacred
Content:
Composition arranged to frame Mount Fuji
White top of great wave creates diagonal line leading viewers eye directly to peak of mountain top
Juxtaposition of large wave in foreground dwarfing small mountain in distance; inclusion of men and boats amist powerful waves
Personification of nature, seems intent on drowning the figures on the boats
Form:
Polychrome woodblock print made of ink and color on paper
Ukiyo-e print style
Function:
Hokusai responding to boom in domestic travel and corresponding markey for images of Mount Fuji
Chairman Mao en Route to Anyuan. (Artist unknown; based on an oil painting by Liu Chunhua. c. 1969 C.E. Color lithograph)
Context:
This painting was used as a way for the communist party in China to thank Chairman Mao for his support throughout the years
At this time there was a large amount of conflict over power so Mao had these paintings done to help regain control
SHows Mao on his way to lead the miners strike of 1922
This created the bond of Mao with the communist party
Content:
Shows young Mao Zedony (at the time of the painting he was in his seventies): youth makes him more revolutionary
Has a determined face; makes him a strong leader; standing on top of a mountain which shows he is ready to conquer anything in his way
Form:
This is based on an oil painting that was done on canvas
Color lithograph: method of printing using a smooth stone or metal
Function:
The communists party in China wanted to portray Mao as a new revolutionary leader; wanted to gain more followers
Nan Madol. (Pohnpei, Micronesia. Saudeleur Dynasty. c. 700–1600 C.E. Basalt boulders and prismatic columns)
Context:
Saudeleur Dynasty: an early example of centralized political system in western pacific, placed high importance on agriculture and God (fertile land)
Sacred sea deity (Killed Turtles for them)
Inhabitants= Reef of Heaven
Dynasty fell in 1628
Content:
A system of crisscrossing canals, Luxurious palaces
for the rulers and smaller houses surrounding for servants
Contained a variety of specialized islets: some for constructing canoes, holding sacred eels, and preparing coconut oil for sacred ceremonies
Form:
Carved basalt from volcanic plugs, transport stones 5-50 tons from mountain to reefs
Nan Model translates to space between
Did not use concrete, used a criss crossing pattern of horizontal logs called stethoscope and perpendicular to post and lintel.
Function:
Served as a home to over 1000 inhabitants
Remote Location meant not many resources were used towards military
Moai on platform (ahu). (Rapa Nui (Easter Island). c. 1100–1600 C.E. Volcanic tuff figures on basalt base)
Context:
Easter Island is called Rapa Nui by the people who lived there
Maoi means statue; Ahu means platform
Original Location: shown on a stone platform, orongo-stone village on Rapa Nui, by the ocean
All statues are turned with back to the sea
Content:
Carvings on the back of some statues that are believed to have been made at a later time
Low relief; a red top red hat-higher status, coral shell eyes
Form:
Made from chiseled stone, 14 are made from basalt while the rest are made from volcanic tuff, about 887 moai on Easter Island
Originally painted with red and white designs, height of the statute range from 8-70 feet tall; old statue are larger and more detailed/complex
Majority of statues share features such as: elongated ears, heavy eyebrow ridge, oval nostrils, emphasized clavicle, protruding nipples, thin arms that lie against the body, barely any arms. Stern expression.
Function:
Represent human spirits ancestors, made by a high status
‘Ahu ‘ula (feather cape). (Hawaiian. Late 18th century C.E. Feathers and fiber)
Context:
This cape was retained by Captain Cook’s widow and inherited by the descendants of her cousins, Rear Admiral Issac
Smith
Cook arrived in Kealakekua Bay on 01.26.1779 which was at the same time as Makahiki seasonal festivals
Kalaniopuu (chief) greeted cook in a ceremonial way and gave him his cloak
Last bird spotted in 1930
Content:
A feather cloak-yellow and red: Red associated with Gods and chiefs across Polynesia, Yellow= valuable because of their scarcity in the Hawaiian Island
Feather cloaks and capes were symbols of power and social standing Hawaiian culture
Form:
Made with feathers and olona fiber
Feathers were attached to the nesting in overlapping rows
Exterior=red feathers from the’ iui bird; black and yellow feathers are from the oo bird
Dimensions: 64×15.5 inches
500,000 feathers=some birds had only 7 usable feathers
Coconut fiber were used as the based
Function:
Male nobility wore feathers cloaks/capes for ceremonies and battle
Staff god. (Rarotonga, Cook Islands, central Polynesia. Late 18th to early 19th century C.E. Wood, tapa, fiber, and feathers.)
Context:
Wooden and humanistic head on top and end has naturalistic phallus
Missionary cut of the phallus bc it’s indecent; they also convinced Rartongan people to embrace christianity and abandon their own faith
Producing barkcloth was a demanding complicated process
Content:
12 feet long; elongated body topped by carved head; head makes up about
⅓ of wood carving: smooth, stylized large eye, pointed chin, closed mouth
A line of smaller figures were carved just below the head
Small figures alongside larger ones=characteristic of Polynesian Art
Most of the figures are encased in Barkcloth: clothing and protection
Form:
Reference to Tangaroa as a god of fertility
Barkcloth wrapping: polynesian believed cloth was needed to protect deity’s spiritual force;
Red feathers and pearls on the wooden head act as a symbol of mana
If wrapping was off then deity would leave and staff god would be useless
Function:
Symbol of manara or soul of the God; protects ancestral power of “mana” or deity of the society
Female deity. (Nukuoro, Micronesia. c. 18th to 19th century C.E. Wood.
Context:
Nukuoro is a micronesian atoll (ring shaped coral reef) in western pacific
It was settled in the 8th century C.E. by polynesians traveling in Canoes from Samoa
Nukuoro culture retained Polynesian influences such as social structures and the practice of carving humans
Content:
Deities were believed to inhabit animals, piece of woods, and wood figures called tino aitu
Sacrifices to the figurine occurred each year during harvest
Lack of facial details and the flexed legs provide a “blank canvas” ready to take on a deity’s vital force
Stylized human figures
Form:
Sculpture, wooden, 40 cms
Made from the
BreadFruit Tree, Pumice was used to make it shiny
Function:
Religion purposes
Used for a special annual harvest rituals
Placed in temples, decorated with jewels
Buk (mask) (Torres Strait. Mid- to late 19th century C.E. Turtle shell, wood, fiber, feathers, and shell)
Context:
Torres strait is between Australia and Papua New Guinea and has many small uninhabited islands
Diego de Prado found turtle shell in 1606
Very dependent on ocean life so fishing was vital to survival
Language of the island is Kala Lagaw Ya
Island became Christianized: Missioned burned their masks since practice were seen as obsolete
Content:
Significant performances
Honoring/depicting hero or ancestor
Bird could be a mythological totem connected to a family
Form:
Heated individual hawk bill, sea turtles shell plates so they become flexible and could be bent to create desire shape
Each plate then had to be pierced around the edges so that maker could use fiber to thread plates together
Connected plates=formed 3D appearance
Function:
Ceremonial significance; ritualistic uses
Hiapo (tapa). (Niue. c. 1850–1900 C.E. Tapa or bark cloth, freehand painting.)
Context:
Cloth is from Niue, a small polynesian island country located 1500 miles northeast of New Zealand, located next to Tongo, Samoa and Cook Islands; allowed for lots of trade with Christian missionaries in the region
Tapa cloth traditionally seen as women’s art as it is a type of weaving and works with soft materials
Content:
Certain designs were designed for people with high social status/rank
Different culture and islands would present similar pieces of cloth to places they travel to by boat
Form
Fine lines, detailed geometric design such as spirals, concentric circles, squares, triangles, and diminishing motifs
Along the edge=representation of plants
Function:
Tapa used for clothing bedding and wall hangings, displayed on special occasions
Tamati Waka Nene (Gottfried Lindauer. 1890 C.E. Oil on canvas)
Context:
Lindauer and his patron: Henry Patridge
He tend to paint well known Maori in Maori clothing for Europeans purchases but painted unknown Maori in European clothing when commissioned by their families
Painted in 1890-3years after he died
Content:
Maori man-indifenous people of New Zealand
A Rangatira or Chief of the Ngati Hao ppl in Hokianga-from the Ngapuhi tribe
Important war and peacetime leader
Estimated to be born in 1780s and died in 1871
He converted to the Wesleyan faith and baptised in 1839 choosing to become Tamati Waka after Thomas Walker
Form:
Cloak: a Kahu Kiwi: from Kiwi birds
Earring of Greenstone or pounamu
Both are considered prestigious treasures
weapons=tewhatewha which are adorned with feathers and has a finely carved hand grip with an abalone or paua eye
mana=connection to power and prestige
moko=facial tattoos
Background=foliage mountains and sky
Function:
Preserving the person in history
Bring the presence of ancestors into the living world-so the painting does not only show the image/appearance of Tamati Waka Nene but also physically embody him
Navigation chart (Marshall Islands, Micronesia. 19th to early 20th century C.E. Wood and fiber)
Context:
Micronesians in Northwest Pacific are renowned for navigational skills
Religiously guarded their charts
Showed that they traded between different tribes and islands
Content:
Chat is form of a Rebbelib
Composed of wooden sticks: horizontal and vertical
acts as supports and the diagonal and curved ones represents wave swells
Shells represents where the islands are
Form:
Wooden sticks bound leaves and connected by shells representing Marshall islands
Function:
Used for navigation
Different charts represents differing degrees of geographical measurements
Malagan display and mask. (New Ireland Province, Papua New Guinea. c. 20th century C.E. Wood, pigment, fiber, and shell)
Context
Malagan are concerned with honoring/dismissing dead but as affirmation of the identity of clan
Often used representation of fish/birds since it alludes to specific myth
Figures were collected by Hughe Hastings family, Deputy commissioner for western Pacific while he was on tour of New Ireland in 1882-83
Content:
Mask can represents many things: Dead ancestors, spiritual double of an individual or the various bush spirits associated with the area
Form:
Different mask made of same materials and pigment
Function:
Commonly used at funeral sites; send a farewell off the to the dead; celebrate the achievements/life of dead
Also used as a sort of copyright; when someone buys a piece, the seller gives up his right to use that particular style again
Presentation of Fijian mats and tapa cloths to Queen Elizabeth II. (Fiji, Polynesia. 1953 C.E. Multimedia performance (costume; cosmetics, including scent; chant; movement; and pandanus fiber/hibiscus fiber mats), photographic documentation)
Context:
On Dec. 1753, queen visited kingdom of Tonga, which was the only pacific nation to retain a Monarchy and was protected by british government
Cloth is presented as a gift in special ceremonies
Queen Elizabeth witnessed many Fijian traditions and participated in Kava Ceremony
Content:
Procession of women: skirts made of barkcloth and mats
Tapa mats were made from bark of mulberry tree
Mend tend to the trees but only women can make the actual fabric
Bark is cut into strips and beat with a hammer
Women beat them together to form long plain sheets
Designs were painted onto cloth by hand
Form:
Black and white photo of women wearing skirts
Women skirts=painted with geometric patterns; men are wearing white clothing
Function:
Presented as gifts to important people