Lecture Notes: Prehistoric Art to Greek Art (Chapters 1-2)

A comprehensive set of Q&A flashcards covering prehistoric art, the first artists, cave painting techniques, and Ancient, Roman, and Greek art topics.

What is Prehistoric Art?

Artistic works created before written history, spanning various forms from early human societies.

Name the three main periods of prehistoric art and their approximate dates.

Paleolithic (40,000-8,000 BCE); Mesolithic (10,000-4,500 BCE); Neolithic (8,000-1,500 BCE).

What characterizes Paleolithic art?

Cave paintings and portable art forms.

What characterizes the Mesolithic period in prehistoric art?

A transitional period with a mix of hunting and gathering and early agricultural practices.

What marks the Neolithic period in prehistoric art?

Development of agriculture and permanent settlements, leading to new artistic expressions.

Which group is credited with a significant boom in artistic production during the Upper Paleolithic?

Homo sapiens Aurignacian.

What are Angonopetroglyphs and where are they located?

Carvings located in Angono, Rizal; around 2,000 BCE; 127 figures; oldest known artwork in the Philippines.

What tools were used by early artists and where did the Oldowan toolkit originate?

Hammerstones and the Oldowan toolkit, originating from Olduvai Gorge, Tanzania.

What are Venus figurines?

Stone figurines representing fertility and femininity, found across Europe.

What are geoglyphs and what is a famous example?

Large ground designs; Nazca Lines in Peru; nearly 1,000 sq km with about 300 figures visible from the air.

Where are cave paintings found and what do they depict?

Lascaux (France) and Altamira (Spain); depict local fauna and human handprints.

Name the three cave painting techniques mentioned.

Brush Painting, Rock Incision, Outline Technique.

How was brush painting first performed by early humans?

Initially with hands, later using brushes made from natural materials like horse hair and feathers.

What is Rock Incision in cave painting?

Technique involving sharp cuts into the rock surface to create outlines or designs.

What is the Outline Technique in cave painting?

Sketching basic shapes of animals or figures, aided by scoring and pigment to add depth.

What is Ancient Art?

Artistic creations of advanced civilizations that developed writing systems, notably Mesopotamia and Egypt.

What characterizes ancient art as a period?

Monumental architecture, sculpture, and decorative arts reflecting cultural and religious beliefs.

Why is ancient art significant?

It serves as a historical record of societal values, beliefs, and daily life, offering insight into daily and spiritual life.

Which civilizations are major contributors to ancient art?

Ancient Mesopotamia and Egypt, with later influences from Romans and Greeks.

What are key features of Mesopotamian art?

Architectural innovations (ziggurats, temples on raised platforms); use of cuneiform on clay; cylindrical seals; relief sculpture.

What are cylindrical seals?

Small engraved cylinders rolled onto clay to leave impressions, often depicting daily life or myth.

What is relief sculpture?

Sculptures that project from a background, commonly used in temples and monuments.

What is the Epic of Gilgamesh about in the context of Mesopotamian art?

One of the earliest works of literature; emphasizes heroism and immortality in Sumerian society.

What is funerary art in Mesopotamian context?

Tomb decorations reflecting beliefs about the afterlife and burial practices.

What mediums characterize Ancient Egyptian art?

Stone (e.g., quartzite), wood, and faience; notable works include the Mask of Tutankhamun and the Palette of Narmer.

What are key Egyptian architectural achievements?

The Pyramids of Giza and the Great Temple of Ramesses II; Colossi of Memnon.

What themes dominate Egyptian art?

Afterlife, nature, and the pharaoh’s importance; emphasis on order and the divine.

How did Roman art relate to Greek art?

Roman art was heavily influenced by Greek art, adopting and adapting styles and introducing realism in portraiture.

What are the main Roman art forms?

Sculpture, architecture, and fresco painting, with a focus on public monuments and commemorative works.

What were key architectural innovations of Rome?

The use of arches and concrete; construction of amphitheaters like the Colosseum.

What is Classical art?

Art characterized by stylization and belief in human perfection, emphasizing proportion and balance.

What is the Parthenon’s significance in Greek art?

A quintessential example of Greek architecture highlighting symmetry and proportion.

What Greek art forms illustrate aesthetic values?

Frescoes, mosaics, and gem engravings.