Art History Midterm 2025

Flint Acheulean handaxe with fossilized shell c. 250,000 BCE

PREHISTORY

Themes -

The influence of the natural environment in art

Art in relation to “prehistory,” “history,” and the concept of “civilization”

The influence of technology and technical skill in art

Great Hall” or “Hall of the Bulls” Cave Paintings at Lascaux, France, c. 16,000-14,000 BCE

PREHISTORY

Themes -

The influence of the natural environment in art

Art in relation to “prehistory,” “history,” and the concept of “civilization”

The influence of technology and technical skill in art

The role and position of artists in society

The role of archeology as evidence

“Venus” of Willendorf, Austria, limestone, c. 28,000-25,000 BCE 4.5 in 39 Figure

PREHISTORY

Themes - 

Art in relation to “prehistory,” “history,” and the concept of “civilization”

City and Volcano Mural, Çatalhöyük Reconstruction painting

PREHISTORY

Themes - 

The influence of the natural environment on art

Art in relation to “prehistory,” “history,” and the concept of “civilization”

Plastered Skulls with shell eyes, Jericho, Palestine, c. 7000-6000 BCE

PREHISTORY

Themes -

Art in relation to religion, ritual, mythology, spirituality, etc

Art in relation to “prehistory,” “history,” and the concept of “civilization”

Stonehenge, Salisbury Plain, Wiltshire, England, c. 2750-1500 BCE

PREHISTORY

Themes - 

The influence of the natural environment in art

The influence of technology and technical skill in art

Standard of Ur mosaic of shell, lapis lazuli, and red limestone c. 2600-2400 BCE 17 War Peace

MESOPOTAMIA

Themes -

Art as a representation of politics and government

Art as a representation of and/or tool of warfare

Art as a reflection and/or cause of social stratification

Victory Stele of Naram-Sin, c. 2254-2218 BCE

MESOPOTAMIA

Themes -

Art as a representation of politics and government

Art as a representation of and/or tool of warfare

Art as a reflection and/or cause of social stratification

Ziggurat of Ur (c. 3800-500 BCE, Iraq)

MESOPOTAMIA

Themes -

Art in relation to “prehistory,” “history,” and the concept of “civilization”

Code of Hammurabi, Babylon, c. 1754 BCE Babylonian 4

MESOPOTAMIA

Themes -

Art as a representation of politics and government

The impact of writing on art and the written record in defining the history of art

Lamassus at the Palace of Khorsabad, Iraq, c. 720 BCE

MESOPOTAMIA

Themes -

couldn’t think of any deadass

The Ishtar Gate, Babylon, c. 575 BCE

MESOPOTAMIA

Themes - 

The influence of the natural environment in art

Art as a representation of politics and government

The influence of technology and technical skill in art

Apadana, or Audience Hall of Darius and Xerxes, Persepolis, Iran, c. 518-330 BCE

MESOPOTAMIA

Themes -

Exchange of ideas, techniques, and/or symbols across cultures

The role of archeology as evidence

Palette of King Narmer, First Dynasty, c. 3500-3000 BCE

EGYPT

Themes -

Labor practices of making art

Art as a representation of politics and government 

Art as a reflection and/or cause of social stratification

Khafre diorite, 5’ 6” high Fourth Dynasty, c. 2520-2494 BCE 28

EGYPT

Themes - 

Art as a representation of politics and government

Art as a reflection and/or cause of social stratification

Ti Hunting Hippos from his tomb, Saqqara painted limestone, 4’ Fifth Dynasty, c. 2450-2350 BCE

EGYPT

Themes -

The influence of the natural environment in art

Art as a representation of politics and government

Art as a reflection and/or cause of social stratification

Art in relation to “prehistory,” “history,” and the concept of “civilization”

Hypostyle Hall of Temple to Amen-Re, Karnak, c. 1400 BCE

EGYPT

Themes - 

The influence of the natural environment in art

The role of archeology as evidence

Exchange of ideas, techniques, and/or symbols across cultures

Nebamun Hunting Birds from his tomb at Thebes, fresco secco 18th Dynasty c. 1400-1350 BCE

EGYPT

Themes -

Art as a reflection and/or cause of social stratification

Akhenaten, Nefertiti & Daughters Blessed by Aten (Aten: god of the Solar Disc) c. 1360 BCE limestone Tell el Amarna, Egypt

EGYPT

Themes -

Art as a representation of politics and government

Art as a reflection and/or cause of social stratification

The Book of the Dead “The Weighing of the Heart” and “The Judgment of Osiris” 19th Dynasty, c. 1290-1275 BCE 31

EGYPT

Themes -

The role and position of artists in society

Art in relation to religion, ritual, mythology, spirituality, etc

The impact of writing on art and the written record in defining the history of art

The Bull-Leaping Fresco Knossos c. 1400 BCE

AEGEAN

“Marine Style” Pottery, Octopus Vase, 11” c. 1500 BCE

AEGEAN

Themes -

The influence of the natural environment in art

The influence of technology and technical skill in art

Achilles and Ajax Playing Dice, by Exekias, Athens, c. 540-530 BCE Amphrora vase, 2’ high

ARCHAIC GREESE 

Themes -

Art as a representation of politics and government 

Art as a representation of and/or tool of warfare

“New York” kouros, c. 600 BCE marble, 6’ tall

ARCHAIC GREECE

Themes -

Exchange of ideas, techniques, and/or symbols across cultures

Second Temple of Hera, Paestum, Italy (c. 450 BCE) 32

ARCHAIC GREECE

Themes -

Exchange of ideas, techniques, and/or symbols across cultures

The influence of technology and technical skill in art

Polykleitos, Doryphoros (Spear Bearer) c. 450 BCE

Classical Greece

Themes -

Exchange of ideas, techniques, and/or symbols across cultures

Praxiteles, Aphrodite of Knidos, c. 350 BCE Roman copy

Classical Greece

Themes -

The role and position of artists in society

Art as a representation of politics and government

The Acropolis, Athens as Rebuilt Under Pericles, 447-405 BCE Modern Reconstruction 22

Classical Greece

Themes - 

 Exchange of ideas, techniques, and/or symbols across cultures

The role of archeology as evidence

Nike Adjusting Her Sandal From the Parapet of the Temple of Athena Nike Acropolis, Athens c. 410-407 BCE

Classical Greece

Themes -

Art in relation to religion, ritual, mythology, spirituality, etc.

The Battle of Issos (Alexander the Great Defeats the Persians Led by Darius) Roman Mosaic after Philoxenos of Eretria original c. 350-300 BCE, this version c. 200-100 BCE

Hellenistic Greece

Themes -

 Art as a representation of politics and government 

Art as a representation of and/or tool of warfare

Art as a reflection and/or cause of social stratification

The role of archeology as evidence

Art in relation to “prehistory,” “history,” and the concept of “civilization”

The influence of technology and technical skill in art

Nike of Samothrace (Attributed to) Pythokritos of Rhodes c. 190 BCE 12

Hellenistic Period

Themes - 

Art as a reflection and/or cause of social stratification

Art in relation to religion, ritual, mythology, spirituality, etc

Pergamon Altar, Great Altar to Zeus c. 175 BCE

Hellenistic Greece

Laocoön Agesander, Polydoros, and Athenodoros of Rhodes c. 175 BCE 25

Hellenistic Greece

Art in relation to religion, ritual, mythology, spirituality, etc

Art as a representation of and/or tool of warfare

The influence of technology and technical skill in art

Great Stupa at Sanchi, India (c. 250 BCE)

Indian

Themes -

Art in relation to religion, ritual, mythology, spirituality, etc.

Varaha (Vishnu) rescues earth, 13’ high, Udayagiri Caves, Gupta Empire, c. 400 CE

Themes -

Art in relation to religion, ritual, mythology, spirituality, etc.

The role of archeology as evidence

Sculptural reliefs of Jayavarman II (or possibly VII), Bayon Temple, at Angkor Thom, c. 1200 CE

Asia

The role of archeology as evidence