Arth 100-Lecture 5-Early Asian Art 1

Introduction to Ancient Art

  • Overview of the module topics

    • Ancient Chinese art

    • Early Buddhist art and architecture of India

  • Review of previous module: Ancient Egyptian art

Ancient Egyptian Art Review

  • Functions of Ancient Egyptian Art

    • Political, religious, and funerary purposes

    • Objects were primarily made for the afterlife

  • Key Artworks Discussed

    • Great Pyramids: Commissioned for pharaohs' mummified bodies

    • Ka Statues: Served as double bodies for the spirit to survive in the afterlife

  • Artistic Conventions

    • Composite pose, canon of proportions, and hierarchic scale

    • Examples:

      • Palette of Narmer: Celebrates unification under King Narmer

      • Painted relief of Tyre: Meant for afterlife

  • Representation in Art

    • Different social statuses represented in art

Early Chinese Art

  • Context of Early Civilizations

    • Located in fertile river valleys, including China

    • Development of written languages, complex social organizations

  • Funerary Objects

    • Early Chinese art primarily served a funerary function

    • Made to accompany individuals into the afterlife

  • Characteristics of Burial Objects

    • Often small, representing real-world items (houses, instruments, furniture)

    • Miniature size often resembling toys

  • Beliefs About Afterlife

    • Belief in continuing to live and use buried objects in another life

Funerary Art in Ancient China

  • Types of Funerary Art Objects

    • Figurines: Represented servants and domesticated animals

  • Examples of Important Funerary Art:

    • Tomb of the Qin Emperor

      • Home to the Terracotta Army (Terracotta Warriors)

      • Commissioned for the first emperor of China, Qin

      • Represents a large, organized army, reflecting military hierarchy

  • Emperor Qin

    • Unified warring states in 221 BCE

    • Established systems of writing and measurement, built Great Wall of China

Terracotta Army

  • Characteristics of the Terracotta Army

    • Thousands of life-size figures representing different military ranks

    • Figures dressed in armor, posed with chariots and weapons

  • Material and Technique

    • Primarily made of clay (polychrome terracotta)

    • Creation process involved molding and mass production techniques

    • Use of molds allowed for similarity in bodies while differentiating faces, hairstyles, and attire

  • Function of the Terracotta Army

    • Created to accompany and protect the emperor in the afterlife

    • Reflection of the emperor's power and preparations for life after death

  • Current Status of Tombs

    • Two monumental tombs associated with Emperor Qin

      • One excavated with workers known, other yet to be unearthed

Conclusion and Assignment

  • Purpose of Assignments

    • Reflect on creations and functions of Terracotta Army

    • Watch PBS documentary on Terracotta Warriors, focusing on the artistic process behind each statue - Note-taking encouraged on creation steps and historical context.