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Definition
28,000-25,000 BC
Made of limestone, found in Austria.
Anatomical exaggeration suggest that she serves as a fertility image because figures of more slender proportions exist. No facial features.
[ goo.gl/z24Ff ] |
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| Skull Portrait from Jericho |
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Definition
7,000-6,000 BC.
Human skulls found in houses in Jericho. Clay sculptures used to replicate the dead's face from the skull.
First portraits in human history.
[ goo.gl/VDtGb ] |
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Definition
c. 2100 BC
Salisbury Plain in Southeast England - linked to other sacred places.
Henge means "ditch". Bluestones in a circle around the stonehenge monolith (trilithons).
Posts are upright boulders, lintels are the stones across the top. The combination of them is called a trilithon.
Outer ring is 100 ft in diameter. Inside is a ring of bluestones. Inside that is a horseshoe shape of trilithons.
Built over several hundred years and used as a burial site for important figures. The henge was constructed first. Avenue and blue stones were second, third were the Sarson blocks, fourth were the alter stones.
Remarkably accurate solar calendar - astronomical observatory?
[ goo.gl/2F2mq ] |
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| Hall of Bulls from Lascaux |
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Definition
1,500-1,300 BC
Extensively decorated, but far removed from daylight. Hundreds of feet from entrance.
Largest painted area in Lascaux.
Many figures are coloured silhouettes, but some are merely outlines: both styles are found at different points in time. Suggests figures were painted at different times and the herd effect was not intended.
Animals of different sizes are moving in different directions.
Twisted perspective is the norm in prehistoric paintings - horns.
[ goo.gl/9fD8B ] |
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| Votive Figures from Eshnunna |
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Definition
From Sumer, c. 2,700 BC.
Carved of soft gypsum and inlaid with shall and black limestone. Under 1'-2.5'.
Mortals: hands folded in front of chest in gesture of prayer, usually holding small beakers used in religious rites. Hundreds of these cups found in Eshnunna.
Men wear belts and fringed skirts. Beards and shoulder-length hair.
Women wear long robes with right shoulder bare.
Sculpted in simple forms (cones/cylinders). Not portraits but did distinguish physical traits. Oversized eyes, tiny hands - symbolizes eternal wakefulness necessary to fulfill duties. They offer constant prayers to gods on donors behalf.
[ goo.gl/9mU6u ] |
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Term
| Akkadian victory stele from Naram-Sin |
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Definition
6'6", 2,254-2,218 BC
Kings portrayed like gods. Oversized, with horned helmet as a symbol of divinity. First time king is shown as a deity.
Three suns. Relief sculpture of sun-worship?
Naram-Sin's defeat of the Lullubi. He leads victorious army up a mountain as enemies fall, flee, die, or beg for mercy. King stands alone on the bodies of enemies.
Individuality isn't taken into account - status is depicted. (Hierarchical scale) King is shown like a god.
Troops in orderly lines, enemies in disarray.
Composite view, landscape depicted.
Stele: usually a carved piece of stone.
[ goo.gl/WfKUE ] |
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c. 2,600 BC.
Found in Royal Cemetery, box of uncertain function, sloping sides inlaid with Lapis Lazuli and red limestone. Excavator thought box was originally mounted on a pole and considered it a military standard.
"War" side: 4 donkey-drawn chariots mowing down foes, bodies on ground beneath and in front of animals. Above are foot soldiers gathering captures foes. Above are soldiers presenting stripped captives to king-like figure (central place and greater stature sets him apart).
"Peace" side: Men carry possessions (war-booty?). Above: Attendants bring fish and animals to great banquet above: king and dignitaries feast with lyre player and singer.
Victory celebration with cult rituals.
[ goo.gl/Pmn3a ] |
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Term
| Lamassu from Palace of Sargon II |
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Definition
720-705 BC. Assyrian, at Dur Sharrukin.
Limestone, 13'10" high, c. 742-702 BC.
Winged, human-headed bull. Meant to be intimidating - guards gate to palace.
Fine, repetitive patterning. High-relief sculpture.
Beast has two legs from the front (at rest) and four from the side (in motion).
[ goo.gl/7v4cc ] |
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Term
| Ancient Near East is made up of... |
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Definition
| Sumerians, Akkadians, Neo-Sumerians, Babylonians, Assyrians, Neo-Babylonians, Persians |
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Term
| Inner Coffin of Tutankhamen |
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Definition
Gold with inlay of enamel and semiprecious stones, Dynasty XVIII, c. 1323 BC.
3 layers to coffin. Found completely intact, only unrobbed tomb. Multiple layers to the coffin, but the innermost is made completely of gold. Wrapped around him are the wings of a vulture, the patron god of the pharaoh.
When Akhenaten died, priests reemerged and put Tutankhamen on the throne in an effort to regain power - born Tutankhaten.
[ goo.gl/YnRcr ] |
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Term
| Akhenaten, Nefertiti, & 3 Daughters |
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Definition
From Amerna, Dynasty XVIII, c. 1355 BC
12.75" x 15.25"
Different image of a pharaoh: he is cuddling one of his daughters and the family is interacting lovingly.
Above all is a sun disk, with the rays coming down and blessing the family.
Akhenaten has a pot belly and an elongated skull.
[ goo.gl/dGgdw ] |
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Definition
Saqqara, Dynasty IV, c. 2,500 BC.
Limestone indicated a step down in hierarchy.
Most Egyptian statues were painted, although sometimes left in natural colour, enhancing sense of abstraction and timelessness.
Man depicted at work: sitting with a papyrus scroll in his lap and hand poised to write.
Sculptor conveys intelligent and alert personality.
Not very idealized - as importance of subject decreases, realism increases.
[ goo.gl/a8KWw ] |
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Term
| Fowling Scene from tomb of Nabamun |
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Definition
Thebes, Dynasty XVIII, 1,400-1,350 BC.
Nebamun was scribe and "counter of grain".
24" fresco secco - permits slower and more meticulous work, but not as durable.
Scene of Nebamun standing in his boat, hunting birds on the Nile.
Text: "Nebamun is enjoying recreation in his eternal afterlife."
Accompanied by wife and daughter, who are holding lotuses they gathered.
Animals show naturalism based on careful observation.
[ goo.gl/dGAtv ] |
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Definition
| Combination of sound symbols and image symbols decoded using the Rosetta Stone (diorite slab) in the 1800s. Phonetic was in Greek. |
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Minoan. Hagia Triada, Crete.
4.5" in diameter, Steatite, c. 1500 BC.
Top half: elaborate figural scene of harvesting. Missing bottom half.
Anatomy is paid attention to: naturalism
[ goo.gl/lQRVZ ] |
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Crete, Minoan. c. 1700-1400 BC.
Discovered around 1910s. Seemed to have confirmed history as recounted by Homer. Asymmetrical. Palace of King Minos, who was famous for keeping Minotaurs. Single building is arranged around a central courtyard. Largest building associated with Minoans. Many columns, open verandas, windows - this is not a fortress.
They have maritime dominance, no need to defend themselves.
[ goo.gl/q4WQH ] |
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Crete, c. 1,450-1,400 BC
Depicts Minoan ceremony of bull-leaping. Only fragments of the full composition have been recovered.
Women: fair skin
Men: dark skin
Figures are highly stylized, with a pinched waist and long legs. Curved, more graceful than Egyptian figures.
[ goo.gl/7UkKu ] |
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At the Citadel of Mycenae. c. 1250 BC. There was once a corbel arch. Plaque shows a Minoan column surrounded by two lions in heraldic symmetry.
[ goo.gl/OM1IE ] |
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3000-1400 BC
Seafaring and trading
Palaces built in fortifications
High quality ceramics
True frescos |
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Definition
1400-1100 BC
Warring society
Fortified stone architecture
Elaborate metalwork |
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Term
| Achilles and Ajax Playing Dice |
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Definition
Greece, c. 540-530 BC, 24"
Black-figured amphora (storage jar for wine), signed by Exekias as both painter and potter.
Yellow background/black figures, like the Minoan octopus vase. On the other side is a negative of the same scene (black background/yellow figures).
Scene from the Iliad of Achilles and Ajax playing dice. Figures are labeled and there are little speech bubbles. Shields close at hand: ready for battle.
Eyes stick out from the side in the old style.
[ http://goo.gl/IfxuJ ] |
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| Temple of Hera II at Paestum |
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Definition
c. 550 BC
Hexastyle, doric temple - originally thought to be a temple for Poseidon.
Pediment is undecorated.
Triglyph and metope frieze.
[ http://goo.gl/LWlZg ] |
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Term
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Definition
Discus Thrower, c. 450 BC by Myron
Life-sized Roman marble copy after (lost) bronze original.
Vigorous action statue composed in an almost archaic manner (profile limbs, frontal chest).
Froze the action of discus throwing and arranged nude body to form two intersecting arcs, creating impression of tightly stretched bow. Tension is not mirrored in athlete's face. Head away from spectator: focused on task at hand.
Brace to keep the statue straight.
[ http://goo.gl/BXXZZ ] |
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| Geometric Krater from Dipylon |
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Definition
Found in a Dipylon cemetery in Athens, c. 750 BC.
One of the best examples of Greek figure painting. Highly stylized, turning point in Greek art: human figure and storytelling reintroduces.
Over 3' tall: testament to potter's skill and family's wealth.
Seems to be made for offering libations (offering wine to the dead) because there is no bottom.
Styled like the octopus vase of the Minoans (yellow background/black figures).
Depicts a funeral - a male figure on a funeral pyre and mourning. Gender specified with penis and breasts.
Two bands of human figures and horse-drawn chariots on widest part.
[ http://goo.gl/uebXB ] |
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Term
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Definition
c. 250 BC, enlarged c. 50 BC
Mound built during Ashoka period, 50 ft high. Not hollowed.
Buddha remains kept in 8 reliquaries.
Revering Buddha's remains by circumambulation.
Stupa: Buddhist shrine
Circumambulation: walking all around something (imitating movement of Earth and sun, bring devotee harmony with cosmos)
Harmika: top of dome, stone fence enclosing square area symbolizing sacred domain of the gods.
Yasti: center of harmika corresponds to axis of universe and chatras crown it.
Tasti rises from dome and passes through harmika: unites world with heavens.
Stone fence separates sacred place from the rest of the world.
Reliefs on 4 toranas depict buddhas past lives (with symbols, never figures).
[ http://goo.gl/D59Rz ] |
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Attributed to Emperor Huizong, Northern Song
c. 1,112
Statement of power:
Cranes show that emperor is right with heaven.
[ http://goo.gl/XqBDn ] |
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Painting a perfect circle demonstrates an advanced level of meditation.
Mu Qi is merely practicing - process of creation is more important than the finished product.
[ http://goo.gl/dtw03 ] |
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| Travelers among Mountains and Streams |
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Definition
by Fan Kuan, Northern Song
Early 1,000s
Hanging scroll: mounted on a silk backing, wooden stave with a string to hang it to the wall, on the bottom is a weight/roller
Figurative subjects to landscape: urban cultures undergoing social transformations. You can tell who is important and who isn't by their appearance. Landscape is more subjective.
Brush and ink used, same as in calligraphy.
[ http://goo.gl/LAIG5 ] |
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Early 6th century.
Vishnu temple at Deogarth, one of the first Hindu temples constructed with stone blocks.
Three niches at the temple with reliefs depicting episodes in saga of Vishnu.
Vishnu sleeps on the soils of giant serpent Ananta; multiple heads form kind of an umbrella on god's face. Lakshmi massages his legs as he dreams the universe into reality.
Lotus plant supports Hindu god of creation, Brahma. Flanking him are important divinities.
Below are 6 figures: 4 are Vishnu's powers personified, fighting 2 demons.
Carved in classic Gupta style: smooth bodies and clinging garments.
[ http://goo.gl/9IT8s ] |
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Definition
c. 800, 400x400 at the base, 98 tall
Built over a small hill on 9 terraces accessed from stairways aligned with the cardinal points.
Millions of blocks of volcanic stones, more than 500 life-sized Buddha, 1000+ relief panels, 1,500 stupas of various sizes.
Third mandala where worshippers pass through different realms to ultimate enlightenment.
As you circumambulate: relief of karmic effect of different behaviors, reliefs of jatakas of shakyamuni's past lives.
Circular terrace near summit: stupas hollow, housing a statue of a seated Buddha who has achieved enlightenment.
Largest sealed stupa is t the top, either once contained a Buddha image or was left empty to symbolize the formlessness of enlightenment.
[ http://goo.gl/2tCp8 ] |
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| Funerary Banner of the Marquise of Dai |
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Definition
Hunan, Han Dynasty, c. 168 BC
Found in her tomb.
Contained rich array of burial goods used during funerary ceremony and to accompany deceased into afterlife.
T-shaped silk banner draped over the marquise's coffin.
Area at top of T represents heaven, vertical is human realm and underworld.
[ http://goo.gl/eQiIT ] |
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Definition
Site in use since 300s, latest rebuild in 1993
Home of sun goddess (Amaterasu), ancestress of the Japanese imperial family.
Inner shrine rebuilt every 20 years on adjacent site.
Most important Shinto shrine in Japan.
Only emperor and empress can go up to the shrine where Amaterasu's mirror is kept.
Gold came with Buddhism.
[ http://goo.gl/KhwGq ] |
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| Cylindrical base, mass-like face |
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Definition
Nara Period, late 500-600s.
Japan's oldest temple complex; oldest timber structure in the world.
Complex changed over time, but square pagoda and golden hall date back to 600.
Large supporting beam at center, intricate engineering (building is stable during earthquake).
Inspiration for modern skyscrapers. |
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