Art History Terms 1

material culture-the materials, objects, and technologies that accompany everyday life.

ziggurat-a stepped pyramid or tower-like structure in a Mesopotamian temple complex.

facade-any exterior vertical face of a building, usually the front.

course-a layer of bricks or other building units arranged horizontally along a wall

ashlar-a stone wall masonry technique using finely cut square blocks laid in precise rows, with or without mortar.

mosaic-a picture or pattern made from the arrangement of small colored pieces of hard materials, such as stone, tile, or glass.

votive-an image or object created as a devotional offering to a deity.

courseware-a type of thick, gritty pottery used for everyday purposes. (typo in textbook)

terra-cotta-baked clay; also known as earthenware

libation-the ritual pouring of a liquid, often alcohol, to a spirit or dety as an offering while prayers are said

pictorial narrative-storytelling in pictures that presents a connected sequence of events

register-a horizontal section of a work, usually a clearly defined band or line

votive-an image or object created as a devotional offering to a deity

hierarchical scale-the use of size to denote the relative importance of subjects in an artwork

low relief-(also called bas-relief) raised forms that project only slightly from a flat background.

iconography-images or symbols used to convey specific meanings in an artwork

hieroglyph-type of written script that uses conventionalized signs to represent concepts, sounds, or words.

necropolis-a large cemetery; from the Greek for “city of the dead.”

faience-a glassy substance that is formed and fired like ceramic, made by combining crushed quartz, sandstone, or sand with natron or plant ashes.

engaged column-a column attached to, or seemingly half-buried in, a wall.

capital-the distinct top section usually decorative, of a column or pillar.

stele-a carved stone slab that is placed upright and often features commemorative imagery and/or inscriptions.

archaizing-the use of forms dating to the past and associated with a golden age

high relief-raised forms that project far from a flat background

rock-cut-carved from solid stone, where it naturally occurs

monolith-a single large block of stone

low relief-(also called bas-relief) raised forms that project only slightly from a flat background.

orthostat-an upright, standing stone slab, often protecting the lower part of a wall

portico-a projecting structure with a roof supported by columns; typically functions as a porch or entrance

mastaba-a massive, flat-topped rectangular tomb building with slanted side walls; built of either mud brick or cut stone

amulet-an object that is worn or carried in the belief that it will protect its owner

pylon-a monumental stone gateway to an ancient Egyptian temple composed of two wide towers

obelisk-a tapering, four-sided stone pillar, usually with a small pyramid as the capstone

sunken relief-relief that is carved into a sunken area and does not project above the surface

colonnade-a long series of columns at regular intervals that supports a roof or other structure.