Art History Exam 3

Nude Male Torso

a classical sculpture that represents the idealized form of the male body, often emphasizing anatomical precision and beauty with swelling curves of the abdomen and pulsating vigor and emphasis on sensuous surface

What was Nude Male Torso made out of?

Red Sandstone

Where can Nude Male Torso be found?

Harappa, Pakistan

What is the context of Nude Male Torso?

It represents ancient Indus Valley civilization art, showcasing realistic human form and anatomical precision.

Lion Capital of pillar set up by Ashoka

What is Lion Capital of pillar set up by Ashoka made of?

Polished sandstone

Where can the Lion Capital of Pillar setup by Ashoka be found?

Sarnath, India

What is the context of the Lion Capital of Pillar set up by Ashoka

The first sermon given by Buddha was given at Sarnath, highly symbolic

Emperor Ashoka

First major politic to convert to Buddhism - wanted to unify India

What did the Lion Pillar set up by Ashoka symbolize?

the circle of life

Great Stupa

What is the Great Stupa made of?

Brick and Rubble

Where can the Great Stupa be found?

Sanchi, India

What was the significance of the Great Stupa?

it was the first Buddhist architecture, held remains of the historical buddha

What would people do at the Great Stupa?

people would come here, and walk around in circle ambulation to attempt to reach a mediatory state (walking the path of life around the world mountain)

What did the Great Stupa represent

the world mountain

Meditating Buddha

What is the Meditating Buddha made of?

Gray Schist

What was the significance of the Meditating Buddha

it was the first bodily image of the buddha

What is the significance of the Meditating Buddhas eyes?

they are closed, representing inner peace

What is the significance of the Meditating Buddhas pose?

his crossed legs associate buddha with earlier yogin men

What is the significance of the halo around the Meditating Buddhas head?

it represents a second brain, supernatural knowledge and enlightenment

What is the significance of the Meditating Buddhas hands?

positioned in mudra, for meditation and balance

What is the significance of the Meditating Buddhas ears?

his extended earlobes symbolized buddhas rejection of his wealth

what was the mediating buddha inspired by?

Greece and rome

Urna

third “eye”, allows insight into the divine world

Seated Buddha preaching first sermon

What is the Seated Buddha preaching first sermon made of?

Sandstone

Where can the Seated Buddha preaching first sermon be found?

Sarnath, India

what is significant about the style of the seated buddha preaching first sermon

it is the standard representation of buddha

what was buddhas voice said to sound like?

the rawr of a lion

Shiva as Mahadeva

What is Shiva as Mahadeva made of?

basalt

Where can Shiva as Mahadeva be found?

Cave 1, Elephanta, India

what is significant about Shiva as Mahadeva?

it was the earliest manifestation of Indian dieties

what did the center head of Shiva as Mahadeva represent

absolute shiva, lord of lords

what did the left head of Shiva as Mahadeva represent

shiva as destroyer

what did the right head of Shiva as Mahadeva represent

creator manifestation of shiva

how did visitors treat Shiva as Mahadeva?

like a living being

Vishvanatha Temple

Where can Vishvanatha Temple be found?

Khajuraho, India

what was the vishvabatha temple

a temple dedicated to shiva, used to house the god and used as a place for ritual

what was the vishvabatha temple carved out of?

live rock - home of the god on earth

Shiva as Nataraja

What is Shiva as Nataraja made of?

bronze

Where can Shiva as Nataraja be found?

Tamil Nadu, India

what shiva does the shiva as nataraja represent

shiva as lord of the dance

what is shiva as nataraja doing

creating the universe and destroying it all at the same time

Aryan Invasions

Gradual process of migration - Theories suggesting that Indo-Aryan peoples migrated into the Indian subcontinent, influencing its culture and societal structures.

Basis of Hinduism

two basic beliefs - karma and samsara (reincarnation)

Buddhism (Theravada and Mahayana)

Two major branches of Buddhism; Theravada emphasizes individual enlightenment and monastic life, while Mahayana focuses on the collective salvation of all beings and includes a variety of practices and beliefs.

Stupa

tomb for buddhas remains after cremation

Aniconic

referring to artistic representations that do not depict human figures or deities, common in early Buddhist art.

World Mountain

cosmic mountain that was related to the axis Mundi, plan is a mandala

yaksha/yakshi

female/male nature spirits in Hindu and Buddhist traditions, often associated with fertility and the protection of treasures.

lakshana

the characteristic iconography of the buddha and other important figures in Buddhist art, often symbolizing their spiritual qualities.

mudra

the hand symbols of the buddha

Hinduism

A major world religion originating in the Indian subcontinent, characterized by a variety of beliefs, practices, and rituals, including concepts such as dharma, karma, and moksha.

Brahma

creator god, cosmic prohecys’s and part of the Hindu trinity known as Trimurti, which includes Vishnu and Shiva.

Brahman

universe, an idea, totality of the universe in Hindu philosophy, representing the ultimate reality or cosmic spirit.

Shiva

third in divine trinity, aspect of decay or destruction and transformation in Hinduism, worshipped as the supreme being by Shaivites.

Mandapa

a pillared outdoor hall or pavilion typically found in Hindu temples, used for various religious activities and gatherings.

Sikhara

a spire or tower above the sanctum of a Hindu temple, symbolizing the presence of the divine.

Boddhisattbas

are enlightened beings in Buddhism who delay their own nirvana to help others achieve enlightenment.

Guang

What Dynasty is Guang from?

Shang Dynasty

What is Guang made out of?

Bronze

What was the function of Guang?

function of funerary - held wine

Army of the First Qin Emperor

What dynasty is the Army of the First Qin Emperor from?

Qin Dynasty

What is Army of the First Qin Emperor made out of?

Painted terracotta

what did the army of the first Qin emperor hold?

real weapons

what was unique about the army of the first Qin emperor?

they each had individual heads and clothes were specific to their job in the military

Lady Feng and the Bear

Who is the artist of Lady Feng and the Bear?

Gu Kaizhi

what were wives supposed to have?

courage

What is Lady Feng and the Bear made out of?

hand scroll, ink and colors on silk

Shakyamuni and Prabhataratna

What dynasty is Shakyamuni and Prabhataratna from?

Northern Wei Dynasty

What is Shakyamuni and Prabhataratna made out of?

gilded bronze

what does shakyamuni and prabhataratna represent?

buddhas enlightenment

what is shakyamuni?

the historical buddha

what is prabhataratna?

the buddha of the remote past

Neighing Horse

What dynasty is the Neighing Horse from?

Tang Dynasty

What is Neighing Horse made of?

Glazed Earthware

what was the function of the Neighing Horse?

funerary, it was buried

what was the significance of the horse?

the horse was a symbol of the empire, the bigger your stable the more power you had

Travelers among Mountains and Streams

Who is the artist of Travelers among Mountains and Streams

Fan Juan

what did Fan Juan reject?

the traditional way of learning

What is Travelers among Mountains and Streams made of?

ink and colors on silk

Tatie

mask like form, represents lost

piece mold method

create shape out of original clay to get inlaid designs

Confucius

established basis for a moral society, all about the philosophy of neutral responsibility through relationship

Lao Zi

founded daoism, mysterious figure, concerned with peoples relationship with the universe

Daoism

doa (the path, the way), how to put yourself in harmony with the elemental forces of nature, opposite of confucianism

Mandate of Heaven

a Chinese political and philosophical concept that legitimized the rule of the emperor or king of China.

Elongated style

long and stretched out, long necks and skinny bodies

Xie He

sense of movement through spirit constance, intangible that artwork should convey the inner spirit