ARTA

WEEK 7: PRINCIPLES OF ART

Balance

  • Weight of objects and their placement in relation to each other.

  • Sense of stability:

    • Symmetrical: Exact mirroring of objects across an axis.

    • Asymmetrical: Objects do not mirror each other perfectly, creating a shift in visual weight.

    • Radial: Objects are distributed around a central point.

Proportion

  • Size of objects in relation to each other or within a larger whole.

  • Types of proportion:

    • Natural: Realistic sizes.

    • Exaggerated: Sizes altered for effect.

    • Idealized: Sizes represent a perfect form.

Emphasis

  • Use of contrast, placement, size, color, or features to highlight one element.

  • Creates a focal point that draws attention.

Variety

  • Sense of difference between elements of an artwork.

  • Opposite of unity and harmony; introduces chaos to convey powerful emotions.

  • Example: Salvador Dali’s works showcasing chaos alongside perfection.

Harmony

  • Use of related elements like colors, shapes, sizes.

  • Creates a sense of connection and flow.

  • Crucial aspect of art principles.

Movement

  • Indicates the direction the viewer's eyes take while observing the work.

Rhythm

  • Use of regularly distributed elements.

  • Can convey feelings of varying speeds: slow, fast, smooth, or jerky.

Scale

  • Size of an object in relation to expected reality.

  • Diminutive: Smaller than expected.

  • Monumental: Much larger than expected.

Unity

  • Overall cohesion of the work through grouping of objects and similarity.

Repetition

  • Patterns of shapes, colors, or elements recurring across a composition.

  • Evokes feelings of security and calm.

WEEK 8: ART IN EARLY CIVILIZATION

STONE AGE (14,000 - 2,000 BCE)

  • Defined by the use of stones for survival tools.

  • There are three periods:

    • Paleolithic (Old Stone Age)

    • Mesolithic (Middle Stone Age)

    • Neolithic (New Stone Age)

  • Art reflects early human beliefs and activities; themes include religion, nature, and everyday life.

PALEOLITHIC PERIOD

  • Humans were hunter-gatherers, creating art in caves as a response to climate change.

  • Example: Halls of Bulls in Lascaux, France.

MESOLITHIC PERIOD

  • Transition from Paleolithic art; characterized by schematic forms and use of the color red.

  • Example: Venus of Willendorf symbolizes fertility.

NEOLITHIC ART

  • Transition to agriculture and permanent settlements; significant developments in pottery and monumental structures like Stonehenge.

EGYPTIAN ART (2,500 - 300 BCE)

  • First civilization with significant advancements in literature, mathematics, and governance.

  • Art was primarily religious; developed in three periods: Old, Middle, New Kingdom.

  • Focus on the afterlife, where the preservation of the body was essential.

Sculpture and Architecture

  • Law of Frontality in sculptures; pyramids served as burial monuments filled with art and possessions for the pharaoh’s afterlife.

Notable Works

  • Narmer Palette: Symbol of the unification of Egypt.

  • Great Pyramid of Giza: Architectural wonder serving as a pharaoh’s tomb.

WEEK 9: GREEK AND ROMAN ART

ANCIENT GREECE

  • Valued poetry, drama, philosophy.

  • Focused on human form and nature; art in painting, sculpture, architecture.

DEVELOPMENT OF GREEK ART

  1. Geometric Period: Recovery from Dark Ages; focus on geometric shapes.

  2. Archaic Period: Importance on the human figure; less stylized.

  3. Classical Period: Peak of sculpture and architecture; perfection of human form.

  4. Hellenistic Period: Emotional expression and realism in art.

ANCIENT ROME

  • Cultural fusion with Greek influences; focus on realism and commemorative art.

  • Major works include sculptures and architecture like the Colosseum and Pantheon.

WEEK 10: MIDDLE AGES TO REALISM

MIDDLE AGES

  • Characterized by scripts copied from Christian scripture and centralized church authority.

  • Great cathedrals were built during Romanesque and Gothic periods.

RENAISSANCE ART

  • Originating in Florence, a revival of classical values.

  • Focused on depth, naturalism, and humanism; significant works from artists like Da Vinci and Michelangelo.

LATER PERIODS

MANNERISM

  • Characterized by distortion and exaggeration.

BAROQUE AND ROCOCO

  • Used dramatic lighting and grandeur; Rococo emphasized aristocratic life.

NEOCLASSICISM

  • Inspired by ancient Greek and Roman styles, reaction against Baroque.

ROMANTICISM

  • Focused on emotion and heroic elements.

REALISM

  • Accurate depictions reflecting everyday life.

WEEK 11: NATURALISM TO FUTURISM

NATURALISM

  • Focus on realistic details in natural settings.

IMPRESSIONISM

  • Emphasized brushstrokes, light, and color.

CUBISM

  • Developed by Picasso; abandoned traditional perspective.

FUTURISM

  • Focused on speed, energy, and modern life.

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