Western Art History - Quiz 1.1

ocher

A natural clay pigment containing iron oxide, used for coloring.

figurative

Art that represents real objects or subjects.

radiocarbon dating

A method for determining the age of an object containing organic material by measuring the amount of carbon-14 it contains.

painterly

A style of painting characterized by visible brush strokes and a focus on the application of paint.

megalith

A large stone that forms a prehistoric monument or structure.

low relief

A sculptural technique where the figures project only slightly from the background.

corbeling

A construction technique where stones are stacked in a way that they project out from a wall.

henge

A prehistoric monument consisting of a circle of stone or wooden uprights.

post-and-lintel

A building system where vertical posts support horizontal beams.

trilithons

A structure consisting of two large vertical stones supporting a third stone set horizontally across the top.

ziggurat

A rectangular stepped tower, often associated with ancient Mesopotamian temple complexes.

façade

The front or face of a building, often used to denote its architectural style.

pictorial narrative

A visual representation that tells a story.

register

A horizontal band in a work of art that contains a series of images or scenes. - tells a narrative/story

stele

An upright stone slab or pillar, often used for commemorative purposes.

iconography

The visual images and symbols used in a work of art.

votive

An offering or gift made to a deity in fulfillment of a vow.

libation

A ritual pouring of a liquid as an offering to a deity.

inlay

A decorative technique where materials are set into a surface to create a design.

hierarchical scale

An artistic technique in which the size of figures is based on their importance.

lost-wax casting

A process for metal casting in which a molten metal is poured into a mold that has been created by means of a wax model.

ritual and worship

Practices and ceremonies performed in honor of a deity.

social hierarchy

A system of organization in which people or groups are ranked one above the other according to status or authority.

earthly vs. divine authority

The distinction between human governance and spiritual leadership.

right to rule

The justification or legitimacy of a leader's authority.

Uruk vase

A Sumerian artifact from Mesopotamia.

Votive figures from the Temple of Abu

Sumerian artifacts from Mesopotamia.

Stele of Naram-Sin

An Akkadian artifact from Mesopotamia.

Seated Statue of Gudea

A Neo-Sumerian artifact from Mesopotamia.

Megaloceros Gallery cave paintings

Cave paintings located in Chauvet Cave, France, from the Paleolithic period.

Hall of Bulls

Cave paintings located in Lascaux Cave, France, from the Paleolithic period.

Lion-human figurine

A figurine from Germany, created during the Paleolithic period.

Woman of Willendorf

A figurine from Austria, created during the Paleolithic period.