ART THRU PARIS MUSEUSM MIDTERM

Intro to Art through Paris Museums

Mid-Term Study Guide List of Works

Perforated Slab of Ur-Nanshe, Girsu (Telloh), c.2500 BCE Victory Stele of the Vultures, Girsu (Telloh), c.2450-2425 BCE Babylonian Stele, Susa, c.1595-1155 BCE Lady of Auxerre, probably Crete, c.640 BCE Kouros of Actium, Actium, c.550 BCE Kouros of Miletus, Miletus, c.480-470 BCE Venus de Milo, Milos, c.100 BCE Nike of Samothrace, Samothrace, c.180 BCE Crucifixion, Auvergne, 12th century, wood Virgin and Child, Auvergne, 12th century, wood Virgin and Child, Ile-de-France, 13th century, ivory Saint Martin and the Beggar, Varennes-Jancy, 1220-1230, stained glass Fra Angelico, The Coronation of the Virgin, c.1430-1432 Fra Filippo Lippi, The Barbadori Altarpiece, 1437 Leonardo, The Virgin and Child and Saint Anne, c.1503-1519 Important Terminology • Attenuation • Chiaroscuro • Composite perspective • Composition • Contrapposto • Genre painting • Hierarchy of genres/subject matter • Hierarchy of scale/significance perspective • Humanism • Iconography • Linear/atmospheric/chromatic perspective • Modelling • Naturalism v stylisation • Oil/tempera painting (and their properties) • Panel painting • Polychome/polychromy • Pyramidal composition • Sculpture in the round/in relief • Sfumato • Stained glass (and the technique involved) • Subject matter • Support/medium • True/represented texture Important Themes • Depiction of power and kingship in Mesopotamia • Approach to movement and naturalism of the human body in Mesopotamia v Greece • Changing attitudes to the human form in the various phases of Greek sculpture • Differing attitudes to sculpture in the Romanesque and Gothic eras • Importance of light and stained glass in the Gothic era • Key artistic elements/influences during the Early Renaissance • Key artistic developments during the High Renaissance General Tips • Be prepared to identify the key elements of style/subject matter in a particular period/movement • Be prepared to identify the key influences over a particular period/movement • Be prepared to situate works of art and artists into their respective periods/movements • Be prepared to date works of art to within thirty years of their production (Medieval exception) • Be prepared to use important art historical terminology where appropriate • Be prepared to write a formal analysis of a work of art • Be familiar with the marking scheme and possible bonus points on offer!

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Got it! Here’s a breakdown of key points to help you review efficiently for your exam.

Study Priorities

1. Memorize Key Works

   • Know title, location, date, and medium.

   • Identify stylistic elements, cultural context, and significance for each.

   • Compare works across time periods (e.g., evolution of Greek sculpture).

2. Master Key Terminology

   • Recognize how these terms apply to different works (e.g., chiaroscuro in Renaissance paintings, contrapposto in Greek sculpture).

3. Understand Major Themes

   • How do different cultures depict power and kingship?

   • How do artistic approaches to naturalism and movement evolve?

   • Differences between Romanesque and Gothic sculpture?

   • Role of light and stained glass in Gothic art?

4. Practice Formal Analysis

   • Be able to describe and analyze a work using correct terminology.

   • Consider composition, subject matter, material, technique, and cultural context.

Quick Guide to Important Works

Mesopotamian Art (Depiction of Power)

• Perforated Slab of Ur-Nanshe (c. 2500 BCE)

  • Early Sumerian relief sculpture

  • Hierarchical scale (king larger than others)

  • Religious and political symbolism

• Victory Stele of the Vultures (c. 2450-2425 BCE)

  • War and power in Mesopotamia

  • Composite perspective (legs/torso shown differently)

  • Hieratic scale emphasizes rulers

• Babylonian Stele (c. 1595-1155 BCE)

  • Legal inscription, likely connected to Hammurabi’s Code

  • King as divine ruler, reinforcing hierarchy

Greek Sculpture (Human Form & Movement)

• Lady of Auxerre (c. 640 BCE)

  • Early Greek (Daedalic style), rigid, stylized features

  • Clothed female figure (unlike later nude representations)

• Kouros of Actium (c. 550 BCE)

  • Archaic Greek, rigid stance, idealized proportions

  • Egyptian influence (frontal pose)

• Kouros of Miletus (c. 480-470 BCE)

  • Transition to Classical period, more naturalism

  • Contrapposto stance begins to emerge

• Nike of Samothrace (c. 180 BCE)

  • Hellenistic period, dramatic movement and realism

  • Emphasis on emotional expression

• Venus de Milo (c. 100 BCE)

  • Late Hellenistic, idealized female beauty

  • More sensual and dynamic pose

Medieval Art (Romanesque vs. Gothic)

• Crucifixion, Auvergne (12th century, wood)

  • Romanesque: elongated forms, stylized emotion

  • Focus on suffering, less naturalistic movement

• Virgin and Child, Auvergne (12th century, wood)

  • Romanesque: blocky, rigid figures, solemn expression

• Virgin and Child, Ile-de-France (13th century, ivory)

  • Gothic style, more fluid pose and lifelike drapery

• Saint Martin and the Beggar (c. 1220-1230, stained glass)

  • Gothic era’s emphasis on light and storytelling

  • Use of color and line to create depth

Renaissance Art (Perspective & Humanism)

• Fra Angelico, The Coronation of the Virgin (c. 1430-1432)

  • Early Renaissance, gold background (Medieval influence)

  • Balanced composition, focus on spiritual grace

• Fra Filippo Lippi, The Barbadori Altarpiece (1437)

  • Use of linear perspective

  • Humanized religious figures, softer facial expressions

• Leonardo, The Virgin and Child and Saint Anne (c. 1503-1519)

  • High Renaissance, sfumato technique (soft transitions of light)

  • Pyramidal composition, complex emotional interactions

Key Themes & Art Historical Concepts

Depiction of Power in Mesopotamia

• Hierarchy of scale (bigger = more important)

• Composite perspective (frontal torso, profile legs)

• Kings as divine or semi-divine rulers

Naturalism in Greek Sculpture

• Archaic (650-480 BCE) → Rigid, Egyptian-inspired (Kouros)

• Classical (480-323 BCE) → Contrapposto, more natural forms

• Hellenistic (323-31 BCE) → Dramatic movement, emotional intensity

Romanesque vs. Gothic Sculpture

• Romanesque (c. 1000-1200 CE) → Rigid, blocky, hierarchical

• Gothic (c. 1200-1500 CE) → Flowing drapery, more natural postures

Importance of Light in Gothic Architecture

• Stained glass → Narrative storytelling, spiritual light

• Heightened verticality in cathedrals (pointed arches, flying buttresses)

Early Renaissance vs. High Renaissance

• Early Renaissance (c. 1400-1490s) → Focus on perspective, proportion, classical influence

• High Renaissance (c. 1490-1520) → More dynamic compositions, sfumato, idealized figures

Art Historical Terminology (Quick Definitions)

• Attenuation → Elongation of figures for dramatic effect

• Chiaroscuro → Light and shadow to create depth

• Contrapposto → Relaxed pose with weight shifted to one leg

• Genre painting → Everyday life scenes

• Hieratic scale → Larger figures = more important

• Humanism → Focus on human potential and individuality

• Linear perspective → Mathematical depth in paintings (Brunelleschi)

• Modelling → Creating depth with shading

• Polychromy → Use of multiple colors in sculpture

• Pyramidal composition → Figures arranged in a triangular shape (used in Renaissance)

• Sfumato → Smoky, blended transitions (Leonardo da Vinci)

Differing Attitudes to Sculpture in the Romanesque and Gothic Eras

• Romanesque Sculpture (c. 10th–12th century)

  • Often rigid, elongated, and stylized rather than naturalistic.

  • Figures were typically hieratic (symbolic, not realistic) and attached to architectural elements like tympanums and columns.

  • Common themes: Biblical stories, Last Judgment, Christ in Majesty (often fear-inducing).

  • Example: Crucifixion, Auvergne – simplified, static form.

• Gothic Sculpture (c. 12th–15th century)

  • More naturalistic and expressive with dynamic movement.

  • Emphasis on individual emotions, gestures, and realism (influence of classical art).

  • Figures often detach from architecture, becoming freestanding statues.

  • Example: Virgin and Child (Île-de-France, 13th century) – softer, more humanized depiction.

📌 Key Difference: Romanesque = rigid, symbolic, integrated into architecture.
Gothic = naturalistic, emotional, independent sculptures.

Importance of Light and Stained Glass in the Gothic Era

• Symbolic Meaning of Light: Represented divine presence and the spiritual transformation of the worshiper.

• Stained Glass Windows: Allowed colored light to enter cathedrals, creating an ethereal atmosphere.

  • Example: Saint Martin and the Beggar (1220-1230, Varennes-Jarcy, stained glass) shows intricate narrative storytelling.

• Architectural Advancements: Ribbed vaults and flying buttresses made larger windows possible.

• Effect on Worshippers: Instead of dark, heavy Romanesque interiors, Gothic cathedrals were luminous and inspiring.

📌 Key Idea: Light was both functional (bigger windows due to structural advances) and spiritual (symbol of divine presence).

Key Artistic Elements/Influences During the Early Renaissance (c. 14th–15th century)

• Return to Classical Ideals: Inspired by Greek and Roman art (humanism, proportion, naturalism).

• Perspective & Depth: Use of linear perspective (Brunelleschi) and atmospheric perspective.

• Chiaroscuro: Use of light and shadow for depth and realism.

• Tempera & Oil Paint: Transition from egg tempera to oil painting for richer color and detail.

• Key Artists:

  • Fra Angelico – The Coronation of the Virgin (c.1430-1432) → elegant, spiritual beauty.

  • Fra Filippo Lippi – The Barbadori Altarpiece (1437) → depth, softness, and human-like figures.

📌 Key Idea: Early Renaissance = classical inspiration, perspective, naturalism, and new painting techniques.

Key Artistic Developments During the High Renaissance (c. 1490–1520)

• Balance, Harmony, and Perfection: Artists sought ideal proportions and dynamic but stable compositions.

• Mastery of Human Anatomy & Movement: Highly detailed, lifelike figures (inspired by classical sculptures).

• Sfumato & Atmospheric Perspective: Soft transitions between light and shadow (Leonardo da Vinci).

• Pyramidal Composition: Figures arranged in triangular formations for balance.

• Key Artists:

  • Leonardo da Vinci – The Virgin and Child with Saint Anne (1503-1519) → pyramidal composition, sfumato.

  • Michelangelo – Sistine Chapel frescoes → monumental human forms, heroic figures.

  • Raphael – School of Athens → perspective, classical influence.

📌 Key Idea: High Renaissance = harmony, mastery of anatomy, ideal beauty, and advanced techniques (sfumato, perspective, pyramidal composition).