This document provides an overview of the ART 101: Introduction to Art course and covers several topics that will be discussed, including: 1) Art and cultural mythologies, examining myths that still influence religions today and recurring themes in myths across cultures. 2) Paleolithic art from caves in France and Spain dating back 14,000-13,000 BC depicting bison and other animals. 3) Mesopotamian art including reconstructed Sumerian cities, ziggurats, and early writing in cuneiform on clay tablets dating to 2500 BC. 4) Assyrian art with bas relief sculptures from the Palace of Ashurbanipal in Nineveh from 669-

1. ART 101: Introduction to Art Art and Cultural Mythologies James Greene | Visiting Assistant Professor | 1110 CAC | greenjam@gvsu.edu

2. Art & Cultural Mythology: The myths we know today form a living link to the creation of the earth and the origins of humanity. Relief from The Parthenon Depicting The Balle of th Parthenon relief sculpture depicting The battle of the Lapiths and the Centaurs Marble 477-438 BC

3. Art & Cultural Mythology: Myths an Religion Some ancient myths still form the basis for living religions today, such as Hinduism. The Creation of the Cosmic Oceans and the Elements, from The Shiva Purana, c. 1828

4. Art & Cultural Mythology: Recurring Themes Mythic stories recur across more than one cultural tradition. The story of the Great Flood appears in the Sumerian, Muslim and Christian myths.

5. ART 101: Introduction to Art Paleolithic Art James Greene | Visiting Assistant Professor | 1110 CAC | greenjam@gvsu.edu

6. Art & Cultural Mythology: PALEOLITHIC ART Artist’s rendering of Earth during the last Ice Age.

7. Art & Cultural Mythology: PALEOLITHIC ART Europe during the last Ice Age (reaching maximum coverage c. 18,000 BC and retreating fully ca. 9,000 BC)

8. Art & Cultural Mythology: PALEOLITHIC ART Detail of painted ceiling in Altamira Cave (Santander, Spain) c. 14,000-12,000 BC

9. Art & Cultural Mythology: PALEOLITHIC ART Bison, Altamira Cave (detail) c. 14,000-12,000 BC

10. Art & Cultural Mythology: PALEOLITHIC ART Dead bison, Altamira Cave (detail) c. 14,000-12,000 BC

11. Art & Cultural Mythology: PALEOLITHIC ART Hall of the Bulls (left wall) Lascaux, France c. 15,000-13,000 BC

12. Art & Cultural Mythology: PALEOLITHIC ART “Chinese Horse” detail of right wall of Axial Gallery, Lascaux, France c. 15,000-13,000 BC, approx. 4’ 8” long

13. Art & Cultural Mythology: PALEOLITHIC ART Venus of Willendorf (Austria) c. 28,000-23,000 BC, limestone, approx. 4 ¼ “ high

14. Art & Cultural Mythology: PALEOLITHIC ART Venus of Willendorf(Austria) c. 28,000-23,000 BC, limestone, approx. 4 ¼ “ high

15. ART 101: Introduction to Art Mesopotamia James Greene | Visiting Assistant Professor | 1110 CAC | greenjam@gvsu.edu

16. Art & Cultural Mythology: MESOPOTAMIA

17. Art & Cultural Mythology: MESOPOTAMIA – Sumerian Art Reconstruction of the sacred precinct of Ur, as it looked in 2100 BC.

18. Art & Cultural Mythology: MESOPOTAMIA – Sumerian Art Ziggurat, (southeastern facade with restored stairs), Ur, c. 2100 BC

19. Art & Cultural Mythology: MESOPOTAMIA – Sumerian Art Ziggurat, (view from the north), Ur, c. 2100 BC

20. Art & Cultural Mythology: MESOPOTAMIA – Sumerian Art U.S. Soldiers from the 17th Fires Brigade make their way up the reconstructed stairs of the Ziggurat of Ur, Iraq, near Contingency Operating Base Adder, May 18, 2010

21. Art & Cultural Mythology: MESOPOTAMIA – Sumerian Art Reconstruction of the city of Uruk, c. 4000 - 3100 BC

22. Art & Cultural Mythology: MESOPOTAMIA – Sumerian Art Example of clay tablet with cuneiform impressions, Uruk, Sumeriac. 2000 BC

23. Art & Cultural Mythology: MESOPOTAMIA – Sumerian Art Cuneiform tablet containing the story of Gilgamesh, Uruk, Sumeriac. 2500 BC

24. Art & Cultural Mythology: MESOPOTAMIA – Sumerian Art Modern-day site of the ancient city of Uruk, near As-Samawah, Iraq.

25. Art & Cultural Mythology: ASSYRIAN ART

26. Art & Cultural Mythology: ASSYRIAN ART Reconstruction of Ashurbanipal’s throne room, Nineveh, Iraq c. 669-633 B.C

27. Art & Cultural Mythology: ASSYRIAN ART Lion Hunt Scenes, Palace of Ashurbanipal, Nineveh, Iraq, bas relief panel, limestone c. 669-633 B.C.

28. Art & Cultural Mythology: ASSYRIAN ART Dying Lioness, Palace of Ashurbanipal, Nineveh, Iraq, bas relief panel, limestone c. 669-633 B.C.

29. Art & Cultural Mythology: ASSYRIAN ART Lion Hunt Scenes, Palace of Ashurbanipal, Nineveh, Iraq, bas relief panel, limestone c. 669-633 B.C.

30. Art & Cultural Mythology: ASSYRIAN ART Battle of Til-Tuba, Palace of Ashurbanipal, Nineveh, Iraq, bas relief panel, limestone c. 669-633 B.C.

31. Art & Cultural Mythology: ASSYRIAN ART Battle of Til-Tuba, Palace of Ashurbanipal, Nineveh, Iraq, bas relief panel, limestone c. 669-633 B.C.

32. Art & Cultural Mythology: ASSYRIAN ART Battle of Til-Tuba, Palace of Ashurbanipal, Nineveh, Iraq, bas relief panel, limestone c. 669-633 B.C.

33. Art & Cultural Mythology: ASSYRIAN ART After the Battle of Til-Tuba, Palace of Ashurbanipal, Nineveh, Iraq, bas relief panel, limestone c. 669-633 B.C.

34. ART 101: Introduction to Art Ancient Egypt James Greene | Visiting Assistant Professor | 1110 CAC | greenjam@gvsu.edu

35. Art & Cultural Mythology: ANCIENT EGYPT

36. Art & Cultural Mythology: ANCIENT EGYPT – Predynastic Period Palette of King Narmer (front and back) Hierakonpolis, Upper Egypt, c. 3000 BC, slate

37. Art & Cultural Mythology: ANCIENT EGYPT – Predynastic Period Palette of King Narmer (front and back) Hierakonpolis, Upper Egypt, c. 3000 BC, slate