ARCC ART Apprciation

Chapter 14: Ancient Mediterranean Worlds

  • Focus on art beyond Western traditions.

  • Influence of non-Western art on Western art.

  • Connection to earlier cave paintings (Lascaux, France).

Warm-up Questions

  • Discussion prompts about significance of small art pieces.

Cultural Geography of the Ancient Mediterranean

Overview of Influential Cultures

  • Danube, Scythians, Celts, Etruscans, Greeks, Egyptians, Phoenicians, Babylonians, etc.

  • Mention of key locations: Marseille, Rome, Athens, etc.

Importance of the Mediterranean Sea

  • Interaction among various cultures helped develop unique art forms.

  • Civilizations around the sea thrived from 3000 B.C.E. onward.

Art of Ancient Cultures

Venus of Willendorf (ca. 25,000 years old)

  • Thought to be a fertility symbol.

  • Purpose of prehistoric art connected to religious/spiritual needs.

Early Fertility Symbols

  • Discussion on reasons for creating fertility symbols.

  • Cultural/environment factors influencing these symbols.

Stonehenge

  • Questioning whether it was considered art by its creators or by later civilizations.

Preservation of Ancient Art

  • Reasons why some artifacts survived while others did not:

    • Durability of materials (stone, clay, metal).

    • Favorable environments for preservation (dry, hot).

    • Organized cultures with wealth and resources.

    • Traditions of storing treasures (tombs, underground).

Artistic Impulses

  • Impulses for creating art:

    1. Creating places for human purpose.

    2. Extraordinary versions of ordinary objects.

    3. Recording and commemorating.

    4. Giving form to the unknown.

    5. Expressing feelings and ideas.

    6. Refreshing vision/new perspectives.

Ziggurats

The Nanna Ziggurat (2100-2050 BCE)

  • A temple dedicated to the Moon God, Nanna.

  • Acts as a meeting point between heaven and earth.

  • Architecture reflects religious beliefs and practices.

Ziggurat Features

  • Symbolizes a pathway for worshippers ascending closer to gods.

  • Multi-tiered design significant for religious connection.

Fertile Crescent

Importance

  • Exceptional soil fertility from Tigris and Euphrates rivers enables agriculture.

  • Developments in irrigation, banking, law codes, and urbanization.

Mesopotamian Society

  • Growth of civilizations led to competition for resources.

  • Emergence of a ruling class encouraged artistic expression.

Sumerian Art

  • Art became luxurious to honor rulers:

    • Example: Ram in Thicket (2600 BCE) - a stand for a tray/tabletop.

    • Head of Akkadian Ruler (Sargon I) shows refined craft.

Neo-Babylonian Influence

  • Transition of power to Babylonians; architectural innovation (the arch).

Ishtar Gate (575 BCE)

  • Constructed with glazed bricks in honor of Nebuchadnezzar.

  • Located on the Processional Way, important for civic space.

Egyptian Art Overview

Principal Message

  • Continuity in Egyptian art—importance of tradition and representation.

Palette of Narmer (3100 BCE)

  • Celebrates military conquest; significance of design and order.

Egyptian Artistic Style

  • Common pose: clear, structured body representation (profile/frontal combinations).

  • Emphasis on order and stability over movement in art.

Seated Scribe (2450 BCE)

  • Represents accuracy; features human characteristics.

Egyptian Painting Techniques

  • Hierarchical scale in artworks; dominance of males depicted.

  • Example: Wall painting from the tomb of Nebamun.

Akhenaten's Artistic Shift

  • Shift to monotheism (Aten, sun god) and stylistic change.

  • Akhenaten and his family piece represents naturalistic forms.

The Aegean World

  • Discussion on classical definition related to Greek/Roman context.

Greek Cultural Achievements

  • Contributions in democracy, philosophy, architecture, etc.

  • Social ideals reflected in pursuit of perfection.

Archaic Period Art

  • Kouros figures as early examples with Egyptian influences.

Classical Greek Art

  • Refined focus on idealized human forms; examples include Riace Warrior.

The Acropolis and Parthenon

  • Architectural harmony showcasing Doric columns and ideal proportions.

Golden Ratio and its Application

  • Golden section used in art and design for perfect proportions.

Hellenistic Sculptural Realism

  • Shift towards emotional and dynamic poses in art.

  • Examples include Venus de Milo (150 BCE) and Laocoon Group (150 BCE).

Roman Art Influence

  • Roman culture integrates and adapts Greek styles; emphasis on realism.

Overview of Roman Empire

Multicultural Influences

  • Mummy Case of Artemidoros exemplifies cultural blending within Roman art.

  • Roman values reflected in artifacts and public representation.