ART THRU PARIS MUSEUSM MIDTERM

Perforated Slab of Ur-Nanshe

A c. 2500 BCE early Sumerian relief sculpture representing hierarchical scale, religious and political symbolism.

Victory Stele of the Vultures

A c. 2450-2425 BCE stele from Girsu depicting war and power in Mesopotamia with composite perspective.

Babylonian Stele

A c. 1595-1155 BCE legal inscription likely connected to Hammurabi’s Code, emphasizing the king as a divine ruler.

Lady of Auxerre

An early Greek sculpture from c. 640 BCE displaying rigid, stylized features and clothed female form.

Kouros of Actium

A c. 550 BCE Archaic Greek sculpture characterized by a rigid stance and idealized proportions influenced by Egypt.

Nike of Samothrace

A c. 180 BCE Hellenistic sculpture known for its dramatic movement and realism, emphasizing emotional expression.

Crucifixion

A Romanesque wood sculpture from the 12th century characterized by elongated forms and stylized emotion.

Virginia and Child (Auvergne)

A Romanesque wood sculpture from the 12th century with blocky figures and solemn expression.

Sfumato

A technique used by Leonardo da Vinci for soft transitions of light, creating a smoky effect.

Contrapposto

A pose in sculpture where a figure stands with weight shifted to one leg, indicating movement.

Humanism

An artistic approach focusing on human potential and individuality, evident in the Renaissance.

Chiaroscuro

The technique of using light and shadow to create depth in painting.

Hierarchy of scale

An artistic principle where larger figures represent more important subjects.

Polychromy

The technique of using multiple colors in sculpture to enhance visual appeal.

Pyramidal composition

A design method where figures are arranged in a triangular shape, common in Renaissance art.

Stained glass

Colored glass used in windows to create narratives and allow light into Gothic cathedrals.

Naturalism

Artistic style aiming to depict subjects as they appear in nature, contrasted with stylization.

Genre painting

Art depicting everyday life scenes, highlighting the human experience in a relatable manner.

Attenuation

The elongation of figures in art to create a dramatic effect.

Modelling

The technique of using shading to create depth and form in sculpture.

Oil painting

A technique using pigments mixed with oil for vibrancy and flexibility in brushwork.

Renaissance

An art historical period marked by the revival of classical learning and a focus on humanism.