CamScanner 14-03-2025 08.00
A Concise Historical Journey
Cave Art (Paleolithic Art)
Earliest known art-making in human history, dating back to approximately 40,000 years ago.
Known for paintings in prehistoric caves in Europe depicting:
Animals like mammoths and bison, highlighting their importance in early human life.
Human figures in hunting and community activities.
Hybrid forms of man and beast, reflecting early beliefs and interpretations.
Includes relief carvings and portable sculptures, showcasing diverse artistic expression and insights into early social structures.
Venus of Willendorf
A three-dimensional sculpture from the Paleolithic period, dating back to 25,000 BCE.
Depicts a woman with exaggerated features (large breasts, broad hips), possibly symbolizing fertility.
Measures about four inches; lacks individualized facial features, representing an archetype.
Likely created for ritualistic purposes, possibly as a fertility idol.
The Hall of Bulls
Located in the Lascaux Cave, France, dated to around 17,000 years ago, suggesting a ceremonial space.
Features prehistoric animals including bulls and horses, depicting strength and mobility.
Illustrates collaborative artistic creation and may relate to social or ritual beliefs, such as hunting rituals.
Ancient Egyptian Art
Overview
Art closely integrated into life and death rituals, embodying beliefs about the afterlife and gods.
Flourished along the Nile from the Early Dynastic to the Old Kingdom (c. 2686 BCE).
Characteristics
Established a pantheon of gods and idealized human figures for spiritual significance.
Initiated architectural marvels like pyramids, evolving towards formalized seminude figures symbolizing beauty and reverence.
Classical Art
Cultural Influence
Encompasses Greek and Roman arts, significantly influencing Western civilization.
Pursued ideals of beauty, harmony, and proportion, key to human experiences and relations with gods.
Greek Art
Focused on idealizing the human form, employing the golden ratio for aesthetic perfection.
Example: Doryphoros (Spear Bearer) by Polykleitos: Balanced proportions reflecting strength, establishing future art standards.
Roman Art
Evolution
Spanned from the Republic to the Empire, blending influences from Greeks, Etruscans, and Egyptians.
Advanced politics, knowledge, and visual arts, shaping the empire's identity.
Iconic Structures
Colosseum:
Largest amphitheater in the Roman world; showcases innovative engineering and architectural orders: Doric, Ionic, Corinthian.
Commissioned by Emperor Vespasian, opened in A.D. 80, symbolizing Rome's legacy.
Medieval Art
Characteristics
Emerged after the collapse of the Roman Empire; features styles like Early Christian, Byzantine, Romanesque, and Gothic.
Included various mediums like sculpture and stained glass.
Art Values
Decorative art from precious materials was highly valued, reflecting wealth and piety.