ARTH 100-Prehistoric art 1

Prehistoric Art and Architecture

Focus on prehistoric art and architecture: paleolithic sculpture, cave painting, neolithic architecture.
Image comparison assignment at the end of the module.

Key questions from the previous module:
- What is art history?
- What is art?
- How do we study art?
Important vocabulary reviewed:
- Artist: Creator of art (individual or group).
- Patron: Individuals or groups that request and finance art.
- Viewer: Anyone who interacts with or studies art.

Use of three criteria for image analysis:
1. Form: Structure and appearance of the artwork.
2. Content: Subject matter and meaning of the artwork.
3. Context: Historical background and circumstances surrounding the work.
Handout on image analysis is available on Moodle.
Learning to apply these criteria may take time, akin to mastering a mathematical formula.

Defined as the period before recorded history, particularly before written records.
Timeframe: Roughly 300,000 to 3,000-2,000 years BCE.
Distinction between prehistoric (before written records) and historic periods (beginning around 3000 BCE).
Terminology example:
- BC/AD (Before Christ/Anno Domini) vs. BCE/CE (Before Common Era/Common Era).
Current year noted as 2021 CE.

Paleolithic Period:
- Earliest human existence, approximately 300,000 years ago.
- Characterized by nomadic peoples who hunted and gathered.
- Lived in temporary shelters (caves/rock formations).
- Used basic tools (sticks, spears, axes) and had a form of spoken language.
- Created cave paintings and small sculptures; believed in an afterlife.
Neolithic Period:
- Began around 10,000 BCE.
- Associated with settled agriculture and permanent dwellings, contrasting with the nomadic lifestyle of the Paleolithic.

Sculpture Definition:
- Three-dimensional objects made through techniques like carving, modeling, casting, and assembling.
- Materials often included limestone, animal bone, clay, and charcoal.
- Artworks can be portable (figurines) or stationary (cave paintings).
Notable Work:
- Woman of Willendorf:
  - Small stone statuette (~24,000 BCE).
  - Exaggerated female features, emphasizing fertility and motherhood.
  - Size: Only 11 cm tall, portable for nomadic lifestyles.

Often made from found materials; primarily small-scale figures called figurines or statuettes.
Exhibited characteristics of tactile form:
- Made in the round (carved on all sides).
- Subject often female, shown exaggeratedly, possibly as representations of fertility, ideal beauty, or maternal imagery.

Interpretation of the figurine requires understanding form and content, despite lack of historical documentation.
Various theories about the purpose of the Woman of Willendorf:
- Fertility symbol or image of motherhood.
- Personification of earth or goddess figure.
- Ritual or ceremonial object.
- Good luck charm or doll.
- Ideal beauty representation specific to cultural context.
Emphasis on the importance of studying prehistoric art to understand human creativity and intelligence in early society.

Understanding prehistoric art contributes to the larger narrative of art history, sets the stage for further study in later periods, and highlights human propensity for creativity across time.