Art of the Western World (pre-Renaissance)

cave paintings

used ochre and charcoal to depict various animals, likely for ritual purposes; ex. Chauvet Cave

Venus of Willendorf

small stone female figure w/ exaggerated features, likely a fertility figure

rock shelter paintings

started to depict humans, especially in positions of dominance over animals

megalith

collection of large stones arranged in rings or rows

Stonehenge

megalith made of sarsen and bluestone; has a heel-stone that marks the sunrise on midsummer solstice

Sumerian art

sculptures and buildings such as temples

ziggurat

stepped pyramids that served as temples or administrative/economic centers

Akkadian art

focused more on monarchy

Babylonian art

stone stele w/ Code of Hammurabi carved into it and hanging gardens

Ishtar Gate

gateway to temple of Bel, has animal figures superimposed on surface

Persian art

impressive architecture, such as Persepolis

Egyptian art

Sphinx, pyramids of Giza, statues of pharaohs, portrait head of Nefertiti

hierarchical scale

size of people/objects in art depends on status

fractional representation

figures are drawn so each body part is shown clearly

Cycladic art

simplified nude female figures, decorated pottery, marble bowls/jars

Minoan art

depicts sea life and a snake goddess, used naturalistic pictorial style, known for frescoes, pottery, and palaces

Mycenaean art

elaborate tombs, masters of goldsmithing and relief sculpture

Archaic sculptures

used marble/limestone, frontal pose, emphasis on realistic features

Archaic temples

used Doric and Ionic style columns

Corinthian vases

set figures against a floral background

Athenian vases

used black figures and were more linear and large

Red-figure vases

red figures against black background

Early Classical temples

used Doric columns

Early Classical sculptures

focused on scenes of important actions, less stiff, more lifelike

contrapposto

standing figure has weight shifted on one leg

Middle Classical Period

defined by advances in architecture

Parthenon

famous temple, its columns have influence Western architecture for millennia

Late Classical Period

decline of architecture, rise in popularity of Corinthian columns

Hellenistic Period

greater Eastern influence, blend of Greek and Asian style, famous works include Venus de Milo and Laocoön Group

Etruscan art

transition between Greeks and Romans

Etruscan temples

tiles, gabled roofs, Greek columns

Etruscan artifacts

made of bake clay and bronze

Etruscan paintings

found in tombs, depicted funeral celebrations in bright, flat colors

Roman Art

based on Etruscan and Greek art, influenced art in the Middle Ages and Renaissance

concrete

filled gaps between walls, helped build domed buildings

arches

used to make aqueducts and bridges

Famous Roman architecture

Colosseum, Pantheon

Roman sculptures

used for tombs and funeral processions, portraits, memorials for important people

mosaic

murals made of small tiles, often used in churches

Famous Byzantine architecture

Hagia Sophia, churches of Ravenna

Medieval books

mostly preserved by church, copies on vellum or parchment, helped facilitate exchange of artistic ideas

Germanic art

metal ornaments and jewelry

Viking art

carvings on ships

Hiberno-Saxon art

mix of Viking, Anglo-Saxon, and Celtic art, caused by Viking invasions

Romanesque

church design based on Roman arch; stone vaulted, massive walls, small windows and doors

vault

arch-shaped structure used as a ceiling or to support a roof

Gothic style

pointed arches, ribbed vaults, flying buttresses, larger windows, higher ceilings

ribbed vault

stone ribs under intersections of vaulted ceiling

flying buttress

bracing material on exterior of building, counteracts pressure of barrel vaults

barrel vault

tunnel of arches, supports roof