ARTH 205 MIDTERM VOCAB MADDOX JMU

Parietal art

wall paintings

Therianthrop

half human/half animal figure

Modeling

Process of creating the illusion of 3D on a 2D surface using light and shadow. In sculpture, molding a 3D figure from a malleable surface

corbel, corbelling, corbelled arch and vault

roofing technique in which each course of stone projects slightly beyond the previous layer until they meet (capstone)

Megalith

a large stone used in some prehistoric architecture

Henge

circular area enclosed by stones/wood posts set up by Neolithic peoples

Alignment: an alignment of menhirs

arrangement of menhirs in lines

Ziggurat

Large stepped centers of cities in Mesopotamia, used to honor gods/goddesses with temple at the top

Registers

A device used in systems of spacial definitions (use of differing groundlines)

Hieratic Scale

The use of different sizes to indicate relative importance (bigger humans=more important)

Composite view

a way of representing a figure so that part of it is seen in profile and part of it is seen frontally

Votive figure

An image created as a devotional offering to a deity

Hypostyle hall

A large interior room characterized by many closely spaced columns that support its roof (Egypt)

Ba

The aspect of the individual that involve the non-physical properties that make a person unique

Ka

Create life-force of each individual, marks difference between living and dead, comes into being at birth

Akh

The enduring and unchanging form of the deceased in the afterlife created by the reunion of the ba and ka

Ankh

A looped cross signifying everlasting life

Necropolis

A large cemetery or burial area "City of the dead" (Egypt)

Sed festival

An ancient Egyptian festival that reestablishes the power of the king

Relief sculpture

A 3D image or design whose flat background surface is carved away to a certain depth, setting off the figure

Sunken relief

When the image is carved below the original surface of the background, which is not cut away

Ossuary

A place or receptacle for the placement of bones of the dead

Chthonic

of or pertaining to deities, spirits, or other beings that dwell beneath the earth or underworld

Buon Fresco

painting technique where the plaster is painted when wet and the color is absorbed into the plaster

Fresco secco

Created by painting on dry plaster (color may eventually flake off)

Rhyton

A vessel in the shape of a figure or animal, used for drinking or pouring liquids on special occasions

Repousse

A technique of pushing or hammering metal from the back to create a protruding image

Megaron

The main hall of a Mycenaean palace or grand hall

Humanism

the idea that human beings are the primary measure of all things

Rationalism

the belief that human reasoning is the source for understanding the world

Idealism

A belief and pursuit of perfect forms (can be political, social, economic, religious, or artistic)

High Relief

Volumes are strongly projected from the background

iconography

identifying and studying the subject matter and conventional symbols in works of art

iconology

interpreting works of art as embodiments of cultural situation by placing them within broad social, political, religious and intellectual contexts

post-and-lintel

An architectural system of construction with two or more vertical elements (posts) supporting a horizontal element (lintel)

menhir

a single, upright megalith

expressionsim

artistic styles in which aspects of works of art are exaggerated to evoke subjective emotions rather than to portray objective reality or elicit a rational response

doric order

simple circular capitals at the top of columns

ionic order

volute is shaped like scrolls or spirals

corinthian order

most ornate of the orders. This architectural style is characterized by slender fluted columns and elaborate capitals decorated with acanthus leaves and scrolls.