Why this art? Durable Materials Environment Organized Cultures Art preserved in places of limited or no accessibility

Durable Materials

Environment

Organized Cultures

Art preserved in places of limited or no accessibility

How vs. Why Place and Time - CONTEXT

Functions of Art Expression Communication Ritual or Spiritual In many of these early societies, earthly order and cosmic order were viewed as interrelated and mutually dependent. Utilitarian (architecture, jewelry, etc) Preservation of culture and tradition Commemoration

Expression

Communication

Ritual or Spiritual

In many of these early societies, earthly order and cosmic order were viewed as interrelated and mutually dependent.

Utilitarian (architecture, jewelry, etc)

Preservation of culture and tradition

Commemoration

Introduction Art is part of the humanities, therefore we need to know how humans developed Art and sculpture develop about 30,000 years ago. “ Ceremony lies at the taproot of what we are. We are ceremonial creatures…The more important an event or experience is for us mortals, the more we ceremonialize it…Ceremony assists us to cope with the otherwise unmanageable.” – Thomas Howard

Art is part of the humanities, therefore we need to know how humans developed

Art and sculpture develop about 30,000 years ago.

“ Ceremony lies at the taproot of what we are. We are ceremonial creatures…The more important an event or experience is for us mortals, the more we ceremonialize it…Ceremony assists us to cope with the otherwise unmanageable.” – Thomas Howard

Thomas Cole's series "The Course of Empire" from 1834-36

The Savage State

Pastoral State

The Consummation of Empire

The Destruction of Empire

The Destruction of Empire

The world's oldest example of abstract art, dating back more than 70,000 years, has been found in a cave in South Africa.

Aurochs, horses, and rhinoceroses, wall painting in Chauvet Cave, Vallon-Pont-d’Arc, Ardèche, France, ca. 30,000–28,000 or ca. 15,000–13,000 BCE. Approx. half life-size.

Cave painting, Lascaux, France, c. 13,000 BCE

When Pablo Picasso visited the newly-discovered Lascaux caves, in the Dordogne, in 1940, he emerged from them saying of modern art, "We have discovered nothing".

When Pablo Picasso visited the newly-discovered Lascaux caves, in the Dordogne, in 1940, he emerged from them saying of modern art, "We have discovered nothing".

paintings made by Tehuelches natives. 13,000 to 9,500 Years ago Cueva de las Manos

Courthouse Wash, in Arches National Park, Moab, Utah - is the only example of the Barrier Canyon Style attributed to Archaic culture that inhabited the area seasonally between 5,500 BC and AD 1

36,000 years old - discovered in May 2009

Nude woman (Venus of Willendorf), from Willendorf, Austria, ca. 28,000–25,000 BCE. Limestone, approx. 4 1/4” high. Naturhistorisches Museum, Vienna.

Lucian Freud's 1995 painting Benefits Supervisor Sleeping

Beginning around 9000 BCE through 5000 BCE is the Paleolithic Period or Old Stone Age Ice Age Specialized tools Rise of the arts Followed by Neolithic or New Stone Age 5,500 -2500 BCE Agriculture/Civilization Domestication of plants and animals

Beginning around 9000 BCE through 5000 BCE is the Paleolithic Period or Old Stone Age

Ice Age

Specialized tools

Rise of the arts

Followed by Neolithic or New Stone Age

5,500 -2500 BCE

Agriculture/Civilization

Domestication of plants and animals

Figure 1-19 Aerial view of Stonehenge, Salisbury Plain,Wiltshire, England, ca. 2550–1600 BCE. Circle is 97' in diameter; trilithons approx. 24' high.

Stonehenge (c. 3100 BCE) Post and lintel construction Megaliths are 21 to 24 feet tall, including height of lintel, and buried four feet in the ground Solar and lunar orientation Stones dragged from far away to this site Circle of megaliths embrace structure, enclosing it Inside circle of megaliths is a larger horseshoe-shaped group of megaliths which frame an “altar stone”

Stonehenge (c. 3100 BCE)

Post and lintel construction

Megaliths are 21 to 24 feet tall, including height of lintel, and buried four feet in the ground

Solar and lunar orientation

Stones dragged from far away to this site

Circle of megaliths embrace structure, enclosing it

Inside circle of megaliths is a larger horseshoe-shaped group of megaliths which frame an “altar stone”

The Ancient Near East

Mesopotamia The Fertile Crescent (between the Tigris and Euphrates) was the natural habitat of: Wild ancestors of domesticated plants Wheat Barley Legumes (beans and peas) Wild ancestors of domesticated animals Cattle Sheep Pigs Goats Seasonal rainfall sustained agriculture

The Fertile Crescent (between the Tigris and Euphrates) was the natural habitat of:

Wild ancestors of domesticated plants

Wheat

Barley

Legumes (beans and peas)

Wild ancestors of domesticated animals

Cattle

Sheep

Pigs

Goats

Seasonal rainfall sustained agriculture

Sumerian Ca 7000-6300 BCE Akkadian 2,350 - 2,150 BCE Neo-Sumerian 2,150 - 2,000 BCE Babylonian 2125 – 1750 BCE Neo-Assyrian 911 - 612 BCE Neo-Babylonian 1000-538 BCE Different groups invaded, conquered, and ruled until they themselves were conquered. Early cities arose around Sumer, in what is now Iraq. The Sumerians were the first to leave behind artifacts and words. The marks developed into a writing system called cuniform. Different groups invaded, conquered, and ruled until they themselves were conquered. Early cities arose around Sumer, in what is now Iraq. The Sumerians were the first to leave behind artifacts and words. The marks developed into a writing system called cuniform.

Sumerian Ca 7000-6300 BCE

Akkadian 2,350 - 2,150 BCE Neo-Sumerian 2,150 - 2,000 BCE Babylonian 2125 – 1750 BCE Neo-Assyrian 911 - 612 BCE Neo-Babylonian 1000-538 BCE

Different groups invaded, conquered, and ruled until they themselves were conquered. Early cities arose around Sumer, in what is now Iraq. The Sumerians were the first to leave behind artifacts and words. The marks developed into a writing system called cuniform.

Different groups invaded, conquered, and ruled until they themselves were conquered. Early cities arose around Sumer, in what is now Iraq. The Sumerians were the first to leave behind artifacts and words. The marks developed into a writing system called cuniform.

Sumerians Cuneiform (wedge-shaped writing form) Ziggurat Ca 7000-6300 BCE City-state, kingship, political system, religious system all developed by Sumerians Temples, elaborate rituals – for the welfare of the state Kingship was a divine gift

Cuneiform (wedge-shaped writing form)

Ziggurat

Ca 7000-6300 BCE

City-state, kingship, political system, religious system all developed by Sumerians

Temples, elaborate rituals – for the welfare of the state

Kingship was a divine gift

Female head (Inanna?), from Uruk (modern Warka), Iraq, ca. 3200–3000 BCE. Marble, approx. 8” high. Iraq Museum, Baghdad.

Presentation of offerings to Inanna (Warka Vase), from Uruk, Iraq, ca. 3200–3000 BCE. Alabaster, 3’ 1/4” high. Iraq Museum, Baghdad.

Statuettes of two worshipers, from the Square Temple at Eshnunna (modern Tell Asmar), Iraq, ca. 2700 BCE. Gypsum inlaid with shell and black limestone, tallest figure approx. 2’ 6” high. Iraq Museum, Baghdad.

Standard of Ur ( c. 2600 – 2400 BCE) Hierarchy of Scale Narrative in art King inspects defeated enemies Overlapping to suggest depth Enemies nude to suggest defeat and debasement Repetition of forms 'War' and 'Peace'. 'War' shows one of the earliest representations of a Sumerian army.

Standard of Ur

( c. 2600 – 2400 BCE)

Hierarchy of Scale

Narrative in art

King inspects defeated enemies

Overlapping to suggest depth

Enemies nude to suggest defeat and debasement

Repetition of forms

'War' and 'Peace'. 'War' shows one of the earliest representations of a Sumerian army.

Ziggurat (northeastern facade with restored stairs), Ur (modern Tell Muqayyar), Iraq, ca. 2100 BCE.

Ziggurat at Ur Mud-brick construction Solid, no interior Large ceremonial staircases Temple at top now missing Functioned as religious site and center of civic pride Holes in surface used to show flags Oriented by the points of the compass Painted surface

Ziggurat at Ur

Mud-brick construction

Solid, no interior

Large ceremonial staircases

Temple at top now missing

Functioned as religious site and center of civic pride

Holes in surface used to show flags

Oriented by the points of the compass

Painted surface

Ziggurat vs Pyramids Ziggurats were ritual and administrative centers Pyramids were intended to be eternal homes of the pharaohs The pyramids were made of stone; Ziggurats were built of mud bricks in a stone-poor region

Ziggurats were ritual and administrative centers

Pyramids were intended to be eternal homes of the pharaohs

The pyramids were made of stone; Ziggurats were built of mud bricks in a stone-poor region

Mayan Pyramid – ca. 1000 BCE

Akkadians 2350-2150 BCE Early Bronze Age Naturalistic

2350-2150 BCE

Early Bronze Age

Naturalistic

Head of an Akkadian ruler, from Nineveh (modern Kuyunjik), Iraq, ca. 2250–2200 BCE. Copper, 1’ 2 3/8” high. Iraq Museum, Baghdad.

Amorites (Babylonians) 2000-1600 BCE – Old Babylonian Period 1830 BCE Babylon Capital City Babylon Hammurabi’s Code 1000-539 BCE Neo-Babylonians – Late 7 th Century BCE Arch Decorative designs for architecture

2000-1600 BCE – Old Babylonian Period

1830 BCE Babylon Capital City

Babylon

Hammurabi’s Code

1000-539 BCE

Neo-Babylonians – Late 7 th Century BCE

Arch

Decorative designs for architecture

Stele with law code of Hammurabi, from Susa, Iran, ca. 1780 BCE. Basalt, approx. 7’ 4” high. Louvre, Paris. “ to bring about the rule of righteousness in the land, to destroy the wicked and the evil-doers; so that the strong should not harm the weak...” 300 law codes at bottom Punishments depend on social standing Earliest body of laws in existence Hammurabi standing saluting god Shamash Divinely inspired law

Stele with law code of Hammurabi, from Susa, Iran, ca. 1780 BCE. Basalt, approx. 7’ 4” high. Louvre, Paris. “ to bring about the rule of righteousness in the land, to destroy the wicked and the evil-doers; so that the strong should not harm the weak...”

300 law codes at bottom

Punishments depend on social standing

Earliest body of laws in existence

Hammurabi standing saluting god Shamash

Divinely inspired law

Lamassu (winged, human-headed bull), from the citadel of Sargon II, Dur Sharrukin (modern Khorsabad), Iraq, ca. 720–705 BCE. Limestone, approx. 13’ 10” high. Louvre, Paris.

Ashurbanipal hunting lions, relief from the North Palace of Ashurbanipal, Nineveh (modern Kuyunjik), Iraq, ca. 645–640 BCE. Gypsum, 5’ 4” high. Relief sculpture Animals show emotion, humans none Ruthless rendering of lions Chaotic arrangement of lions Organized arrangement of humans Humans as stoic and severe

Ashurbanipal hunting lions, relief from the North Palace of Ashurbanipal, Nineveh (modern Kuyunjik), Iraq, ca. 645–640 BCE. Gypsum, 5’ 4” high.

Relief sculpture

Animals show emotion, humans none

Ruthless rendering of lions

Chaotic arrangement of lions

Organized arrangement of humans

Humans as stoic and severe

Processional frieze (detail) on the terrace of the royal audience hall (apadana), Persepolis, Iran, ca. 521–465 BCE.

Ishtar Gate (restored), Babylon, Iraq, ca. 575 BCE. Glazed brick. Staatliche Museen, Berlin.

Egypt Order and Stability - Continuity Egypt was relatively stable when compared to Mesopotamia – which comprised of warring city states

Order and Stability - Continuity

Egypt was relatively stable when compared to Mesopotamia – which comprised of warring city states

IMHOTEP, Stepped Pyramid and mortuary precinct of Djoser, Saqqara, Egypt, Dynasty III, ca. 2630–2611 BCE.

Great Pyramids, Gizeh, Egypt, Dynasty IV. From left: Pyramids of Menkaure, ca. 2490–2472 BCE; Khafre, ca. 2520–2494 BCE; and Khufu, ca. 2551–2528 BCE. Three Pyramids of Gizeh (Giza) (c. 2570 – 2500 BCE) Used no mortar Burial places of the pharaohs Sides of the pyramids face north, east, south, west Pyramids face rising run 2.3 million stone blocks weigh 2.5 tons each

Three Pyramids of Gizeh (Giza) (c. 2570 – 2500 BCE)

Used no mortar

Burial places of the pharaohs

Sides of the pyramids face north, east, south, west

Pyramids face rising run

2.3 million stone blocks weigh 2.5 tons each

Model of the pyramid complex, Gizeh, Egypt. 1. Pyramid of Menkaure, 2. Pyramid of Khafre, 3. Mortuary temple of Khafre, 4. Causeway, 5. Great Sphinx 6. Valley temple of Khafre, 7. Pyramid of Khufu, 8. Pyramids of the royal family and mastabas of nobles

Great Sphinx (with Pyramid of Khafre in the background at left), Gizeh, Egypt, Dynasty IV, ca. 2520–2494 BCE. Sandstone, approx. 65’ high, 240’ long.

Palette of King Narmer (left, back; right, front), from Hierakonpolis, Egypt, Predynastic, ca. 3000–2920 BCE. Slate, approx. 2’ 1” high. Egyptian Museum, Cairo.

Palette of King Narmer (circa 3000 BCE) Ceremonial Palette Represents the Unification of Upper and Lower Egypt by King Narmur Utilizes Hierarchical scale – indicates Narmer’s status Lower body in profile, torso viewed frontally, head in profile, eye frontal Each body part shown to its best advantage

(circa 3000 BCE)

Ceremonial Palette

Represents the Unification of Upper and Lower Egypt by King Narmur

Utilizes Hierarchical scale – indicates Narmer’s status

Lower body in profile, torso viewed frontally, head in profile, eye frontal

Each body part shown to its best advantage

Menkaure and Khamerernebty (?), from Gizeh, Egypt, Dynasty IV, ca. 2490–2472 BCE. Graywacke, approx. 4’ 6 1/2” high. Museum of Fine Arts, Boston.

Seated scribe from his mastaba at Saqqara, Egypt, Dynasty V, ca. 2450–2350 BCE. Painted limestone, approx. 1’ 9” high. Louvre, Paris.

Fowling scene, from the tomb of Nebamun, Thebes, Egypt, Dynasty XVIII, ca. 1400–1350 BCE. Fresco on dry plaster, approx. 2’ 8” high. British Museum, London.

Akhenaton ca. 1550–1295 B.C.(Dynasty 18) Represents Pharoah who promoted monotheism for the sun god Aten artistic innovations Unique in Egyptian style – breaks with severe formulas Once rigid postures became more relaxed, naturalistic and more intimate

ca. 1550–1295 B.C.(Dynasty 18)

Represents Pharoah who promoted monotheism for the sun god Aten

artistic innovations

Unique in Egyptian style – breaks with severe formulas

Once rigid postures became more relaxed, naturalistic and more intimate

THUTMOSE, Nefertiti, from Tell el-Amarna, Egypt, Dynasty XVIII, ca. 1353–1335 BCE. Painted limestone, approx. 1’ 8” high. Ägyptisches Museum, Berlin.

Akhenaton, Nefertiti, and three daughters, from Tell el-Amarna, Egypt, Dynasty XVIII, ca. 1353–1335 BCE. Limestone, approx. 12 1/4” high. Ägyptisches Museum, Berlin.

Death mask of Tutankhamen, from the innermost coffin in his tomb at Thebes, Egypt, Dynasty XVIII, ca. 1323 BCE. Gold with inlay of semiprecious stones, 1’ 9 1/4” high. Egyptian Museum, Cairo.

Last judgment of Hu-Nefer, from his tomb at Thebes, Egypt, Dynasty XIX, ca. 1290–1280 BCE. Painted papyrus scroll, approx. 1’ 6” high. British Museum, London.

Aegean

Landscape with swallows (Spring Fresco), from Room Delta 2, Akrotiri, Thera (Cyclades), Greece, ca. 1650 BCE. Fresco, approx. 7’ 6” high. National Archaeological Museum, Athens.

Figurine of a woman, from Syros (Cyclades), Greece, ca. 2500–2300 BCE. Marble, approx. 1’ 6” high. National Archaeological Museum, Athens.

Bull-leaping, from the palace at Knossos (Crete), Greece, ca. 1450–1400 BCE. Fresco, approx. 2’ 8” high, including border. Archaeological Museum, Herakleion.

Minoan Vessels c. 1800 BCE c. 1500 BCE

Greece and Rome

Greek Art Archaic: 1700 BCE - 500 BCE Classical: 500 BCE - 323 BCE Hellenistic: 323 BCE - 146 BCE

Archaic: 1700 BCE - 500 BCE

Classical: 500 BCE - 323 BCE

Hellenistic: 323 BCE - 146 BCE

1600 BCE 1400 BCE 1400 BCE

Geometric krater, from the Dipylon cemetery, Athens, Greece, ca. 740 BCE. Approx. 3’ 4 1/2” high. Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York.

Ca. 600 BCE Black-Figure Ware Late Archaic Style

Red-Figure Ware Ca. 500 BCE

Mentuemhet, from Karnak, Egypt, Dynasty XXVI, ca. 650 BCE. Granite, approx. 4’ 5” high. Egyptian Museum, Cairo.

Kouros, ca. 600 BCE. Marble, approx. 6’ 1/2” high. Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York.

Greek statuaries were predominately nude males proportioned to indicate ideal physical perfection. Free-standing and in-the-round, the Greeks were the first western Europeans to introduce nudity with the male figure

Greek statuaries were predominately nude males proportioned to indicate ideal physical perfection. Free-standing and in-the-round, the Greeks were the first western Europeans to introduce nudity with the male figure

Calf Bearer (Moschophoros) , dedicated by Rhonbos on the Acropolis, Athens, ca. 560 B.C. Marble, restored height approx. 5' 5".

Kleobis and Biton, ca 575 BCE Kouros, 550 BCE