Art History Survey I: Prehistoric through Medieval Art

These flashcards aim to encapsulate significant vocabulary and concepts from the lecture on prehistoric to medieval art, providing definitions and explanations to aid in study and comprehension.

Running Woman

A rock painting located in Tassili n’Ajjer, Algeria, dating around 6000-4000 BCE.

Makapansgat Pebble

A pebble from South Africa, c. 3,000,000 BCE, resembling a human face, emphasizing pareidolia in early art.

Pareidolia

The phenomenon of seeing human or animal faces in random patterns.

Formal Analysis

The breakdown of an artwork by examining its size, medium, facture, and composition.

Facture

The physical manner in which a work of art is made or constructed.

Iconography

The visual images, symbols, or modes of representation associated with a particular subject.

Ritual

A set of fixed actions and ceremonies performed for religious or symbolic purposes.

Patronage

The support or financial backing provided to artists by individuals or institutions.

Venus of Willendorf

A limestone figure from c. 28,000-25,000 BCE, representing fertility.

Sympathetic Magic

The belief that imitative acts can influence events in the real world.

Restorative Magic

The practice of summoning or bringing back something through magical means.

Stonehenge

A prehistoric monument in England dating to c. 2250-1650 BCE, consisting of large standing stones.

Menhirs

Large upright stones often erected as monuments.

Post and Lintel Construction

A building method where horizontal beams (lintels) are placed across vertical posts.

Entasis

A slight curvature in columns that creates an optical illusion of straightness.

Low Relief Carving

A sculptural technique where the design protrudes only slightly from the background.

Composite View

A method of representation where figures are illustrated in a way that shows multiple perspectives.

Bison Licking its Flank

A fragmentary atlatl depicting an animal with significant importance in prehistoric art.

Ground Line

A horizontal line that helps situate figures within a composition.

Cave Paintings of Altamira

Prehistoric artworks located in Spain, dated around 13,000-11,000 BCE, featuring bison.

Lascaux Cave Paintings

Prehistoric paintings located in France, known for their representation of hunting and animals.

Wounded Man

A depiction found in Lascaux, representing a wounded individual in a cave painting.

Neolithic Age

A period (8,000-3,000 BCE) characterized by the development of agriculture and permanent settlements.

Çatal Höyük

An important archaeological site in Turkey, known for its wall paintings and complex urban layout.

Indus Valley Civilization

An ancient civilization (2600-1500 BCE) in South Asia known for its advanced urban planning.

Three-Faced God

A representation found in the Indus Valley, often associated with divinity.

Ithyphallus

A representation that signifies male fertility, particularly associated with Shiva.''

Shang Dynasty

A Chinese dynasty that existed from 1600-1050 BCE, known for its advancements in bronze work.

Taotie

A motif in Chinese art characterized by a stylized animal face.

Bronze Casting

A method of creating sculptures through pouring molten bronze into molds.

Cromlech

An arrangement of stones in a circular format, as seen in Stonehenge.

Human Skull with Restored Features

An archaeological find in Jericho, demonstrating craftsmanship with painted plaster.

Mother Goddess

A clay sculpture from the Indus Valley, symbolizing fertility and femininity.

Paleolithic Art

Art created during the Old Stone Age, primarily involving animal subjects.

Sarsen Stones

Large sandstone blocks used in the construction of Stonehenge.

Bluestones

Smaller stones used in Stonehenge, notable for their distinct color.

Cave Wall Painting

Artworks created on cave walls, often depicting animals and human figures.

Groundplan

A bird's-eye view of a specific site or structure's layout.