2. What we'll discuss
• Introduction to Ancient Asian Art
• Prehistory of Ancient Art
• Ancient Art of Egypt
• Ancient Art of Mesopotamia
• Other Middle Eastern Ancient Art
3.
4. • Introduction to Ancient Asian Art
Ancient Art
• is essentially religious in nature.
• In India and Southeast Asia, all the arts from
architecture, painting, sculpture, music to dance and
theater, have their sole theme focused on the life of
gods, legendary heroes, and mythical beings.
• The oriental artists reflect their religious knowledge,
beliefs and experiences in their artworks.
5. • Introduction to Ancient Asian Art
Example:
The Thai artist portrays the people’s aim at serving and
exalting their faith. Thai art is heavily influenced by
stories of the Buddha and Indian epics, with sculpture
being almost exclusively of the Buddha. Featured heavily
are stories of the previous births of the Buddha, his life,
and Thai versions of Buddhist narratives based on Thai
folklore.
6. • Introduction to Ancient Asian Art
Most temples are full of wonderful mural paintings,
often the life of the Buddha is depicted as well as
scenes from the previous lives of the Buddha
7. • Introduction to Ancient Asian Art
Lanna art style - the modern painting of
the flying god, a Thai folklore.
8. • Introduction to Ancient Asian Art
In Tibet, Sculpture is a religious
art, this picture shows, one of the
seminal figures of early Tibetan
Buddhism.
9. • Introduction to Ancient Asian Art
In Japan, art depicts purification and
self-control. Religious subject matter
was common in ancient Japanese art,
but Japanese artwork eventually
extended to other subjects that reflected
the daily life and environment of the
local people.
Riding the Bull Home (c. 15th
century)
by Tenshō Shūbun
10. • Introduction to Ancient Asian Art
Also the Shinto Art , the national religion
of Japan.
11. • Introduction to Ancient Asian Art
In Indonesia, dance is highly
developed as an art and as a
form of entertainment.
The Bali dance, is an aristocratic
art that stresses refinement of
gesture.
12. • Introduction to Ancient Asian Art
Bali and Djapara are famous for
their silver ware
13. • Introduction to Ancient Asian Art
Solo and Jojakarta are famous
for batik designs
15. • Introduction to Ancient Asian Art
In China, pottery is the oldest form of art.
During Shang Dynasty, the chief artistic
productions were vessels and other
objects cast in bronze. Glazed ceramics
objects were common during the Han
Dynasty. Chinese Ceramics was finest
during Sung Dynasty. Ceramics in floral
and pictorial designs in cobalt compound
and in blue and white porcelain were
manufactured during Ming Dynasty.
16. • Introduction to Ancient Asian Art
Persia (Iran), is noted for its famous rugs and carpets.
Artistry is depicted in color, design and the weaving
skill of the rugs and carpets.
17. • Introduction to Ancient Asian Art
In countries using the Arabic Script, Calligraphy is
used in creating real works of art.
18. • Introduction to Ancient Asian Art
In Muslim countries, calligraphy is
connected with sculpture and
architecture by supplying their
decorative motifs and style to go with
decoration.
19.
20. • Knowledge of art during prehistoric
period is based on archeological
discoveries.
• For example, in Europe, most of the
archeological findings have been
made along the Danube River in the
East and in the caves of Southern
France and Spain.
• Prehistory of Ancient Art
21. The sculpture of Paleolithic period is
characterized by engraved bones and
ivory usually with animals as the
reindeer or bison. They are lightly
incised with fluid, curving lines.
Examples are small female statuettes
carved in ivory and stone, with
religious importance.
• Prehistory of Ancient Art (Paleolithic Age)
22. Painting in Paleolithic Age were found
in the caves of Lascaux and Altimira
Southern France. These are noted for
their expensive form and treatment of
animal subjects.
• Prehistory of Ancient Art (Paleolithic Age)
23. In Mesolithic Age, people made new
tools and implements such as bowls
and jugs to cool and store their food.
Their shape was rugged and utilitarian.
Their surfaces were painted with
simple geometric patterns compose of
dots, lozenges and whorls. Basket-
weave motif is used in their pottery.
• Prehistory of Ancient Art (Mesolithic Age)
24. An architectural structure in
Neolithic Age or Bronze Age is
located in Stonehenge, England.
It was probably a sacred precinct
for nature-worshipping rituals. It
is circular with monolithic slabs of
stone from the ground to the top.
• Prehistory of Ancient Art (Neolithic Age or Bronze Age)
25.
26. The Art of Egypt is exemplified by
the pyramid used as tomb of the
pharaoh. It symbolized the
supremacy of the pharaoh and the
stability of the state. The pyramid
is an impress ionic structure
rectangular and with enclosed
elaborately engineered interior.
Its chambers are for the remains
and furnishings of the dead.
• The Art of Egypt
27. Egyptian architecture under the
Ramasid Dynasty included
colossal figures of the pharaohs,
large mortuary temples and
pavilions which were religious in
nature.
• The Art of Egypt
31. Sumer/Sumeria
The major architectural contribution during the period was the ziggurat, a
pyramidal structure with three diminishing stages surrounded by a
temple. The ziggurat was made of solid brick and exterior ramps and
stairways to reach the temple.
• The Art of Mesopotamia
32. Sumer/Sumeria
Sumerian sculpture consisted of statutes of human figures with rigid
posture and penetrating stare, one to three feet in height, cone and
cylinder shape.
• The Art of Mesopotamia
33. Assyria
Assyrian art is symbolized by luxuriously – made palaces. They are
magnificent houses where great personages reside. They are constructed
from brick and stone on an asymmetrical plan. The palace buildings were
enclosed by crenelated walls. The arched entrance was flanked by towers.
• The Art of Mesopotamia
34. Achaemenid Persia
The Achaemenian Persian architectural style was eclectic, a combination of
Egyptian and Assyrian elements. A famous architectural structure during this
period was the Persepolis, an audience hall with spacious proportions and
elegant elongated columns. Animal figures were the sculptural materials which
were placed on a leaf design. They form the decorative motifs of the capital or
head of the column or pillar that support the building.
• The Art of Mesopotamia
35. Sassanid Persia
The Sassanid Persian architecture was a synthesis of the earlier types. The
innovation consisted of elliptical vaults flanked by rectangular four-story
structure with façade decorated with colorful frescoes or mural decoration
on walls of fresh, still damp plaster.
• The Art of Mesopotamia
36. In other Middles Eastern Ancient Art, the contributions to art of the
migratory peoples like Scythians and nomadic tribes who occupied West
Central Asia consisted of exquisitely designed amulets, belts, buckles and
staff finials or ornamented topping to finish the object.
• Other Middle Eastern Ancient Art
