Art_History_Notes_2

Greek Archaic Period (C. 600-480 BCE)

Exekias, Ajax and Achilles Playing a Game (C. 540-530 BCE)

  • Type of Pot: Amphora

    • Primarily used for storage, but this one serves a decorative purpose.

  • Artist: Exekias

    • Renowned for his black-figure technique.

    • His work was known for intricate designs and compositions that followed the pot's shape.

  • Scene Depicted: Ajax and Achilles engaging in a game during the Trojan War.

Euphronios, Krater with the Death of Sarpedeon (C. 515 BCE)

  • Type of Pot: Krater

    • Used for mixing and holding fluids (often wine).

  • Technique: Red-figure, featuring black background with red figures.

Kouros Figures

Kouros (Met Kouros) (C. 600 BCE)

  • Represented as a young naked man (Kouros) made from preferred marble by Greek sculptors.

  • Emphasis on fit, youthful appearance symbolizing greatness.

Anavysos Kouros (C. 530 BCE)

  • Displays the 'Archaic Smile'—not for joy but to signify life.

Kore Statues

"Peplos" Kore (C. 530 BCE)

  • Sculpted female figures always depicted clothed.

  • Contrasts with male sculptures which often celebrate nudity.

Architecture

Temple of Hera (or Poseidon) at Paestum

  • Order: Doric

    • Columns sit directly on the floor with rounded capitals.

Sanctuary of Apollo on Mt. Parnassus, Delphi

  • Considered the 'navel' or center of the earth in Greek mythology.

Temple of Athena Nike, Athens (C. 425 BCE)

  • Order: Ionic

    • Notable for aesthetic differences from Doric architecture.

Greek Art in the Classical Period (480-323 BCE)

Late Classical Period

  • Focus on movement and expression in statues.

  • Statues of women began to show more revealing and erotic forms.

Aphrodite of Knidos (C. 350 BCE)

  • Recognized as the first nude female statue of the period.

  • Depicts vulnerability of the Goddess of love.

Hellenistic Art (323-31 BCE)

House of the Faun, Pompeii

  • Significant for its mosaics, acting as historical records of lost Greek painting.

Temple of Olympian Zeus, Athens (132 BCE)

  • Order: Corinthian

    • Identified by of leaf designs on capitals.

Dying Gallic Trumpeter, Pergamon (C. 220 BCE)

  • Represents the noble death of a Gallic soldier.

  • Communicates respect for a worthy adversary.

Nike of Samothrace (C. 180 BCE)

  • Often referred to as the 'Winged Victory'.

Aphrodite of Melos (C. 150-100 BCE)

  • Features erotic sensibilities highlighted by loose fabric.

Sleeping Satyr (C. 230-200 BCE)

  • Depiction of tranquility and sensuality.

Sleeping Hermaphrodite (C. 100-200 CE)

  • A portrayal of an intersex individual.

Seated Boxer (C. 100-50 BCE)

  • The figure bound to prevent erotic display, showcasing expressive energy in boxing.

Etruscan Art (C. 550-89 BCE)

Master Sculptor Vulca

Apulu (Apollo) from the Temple of Minerva, Portonaccio, Veii (C. 510-500 BCE)

  • Etruscan art depicted figures clothed, contrasting with Greek nude ideals.

Model of an Etruscan Temple

  • Based on descriptions by Vitruvius.

Burial Chamber, Tomb of the Reliefs, Ceverti, Italy (3rd century BCE)

The Roman Republic (509-27 BCE)

Senators and Aging in Art

  • Senators were conceived as wise due to age, promoting a positive view of aging in artistic representations.

Portrait of a Roman General (C. 75-50 BCE)

  • Strong body representation contrasted with an accurate portrayal of the face.

Portrait of a Roman Woman as Omphale (C. 50 CE)

Architectural Innovations

Pont Du Gard, Nimes, France (Late 1st century BCE)

  • Gunite construction highlights the importance of the keystone.

Concrete Developments

Temple of Portunus, Rome (Late 2nd century BCE)

  • Hybrid of Greek and Etruscan architectural elements.

Wall Paintings in Villa of Livia

  • Illustrative of naturalistic and idyllic scenes.

Wall Paintings in the House of the Vetii

  • Remarkable for addressing personal wealth and the human form humorously.

Art & Currency

Still Life, House of the Stags, Herculaneum

  • Notable for being one of the earliest examples of still life.

Marble Portrait Head of Julius Caesar (C. 50-40 BCE)

  • Important historical figure in Roman governance.

Coinage in the Roman Republic

  • Introduction of portraits of powerful individuals on currency.

Augustan Propaganda

Portrait of Augustus from the Villa of Livia at Primaporta (C. 20 BCE)

  • Represents an idealized image, aimed at portraying maturity through classical representation.

  • Hair part and ‘crab claw’ are distinct features.

Vespasian's Contributions

  • Return to Roman realism; encouraged vandalism of predecessors’ statues as a political statement.

Triumph Arches

Arch of Titus (C. 81 CE)

  • Celebrated military expeditions through its symbolic structure.

Column of Trajan (112 CE)

  • Commemorative work representing military victories.

Late Antique/Early Christian

Painted Synagogue at Dura Europos (C. 245)

  • Represents a melding of Christian and Jewish iconography.

Torah Niche, Floor Mosaic (6th century CE)

  • Rich narrative portraying religious themes.

Byzantine Art

Transition from Roman Influence (6th Century CE)

  • Church of San Vitale in Ravenna (C. 520-548)

    • Demonstrates separation of church and state with depictions of royalty.

Icons in Byzantine Christianity

Icon of the Virgin and Child (6th or 7th Century)

  • Integral to Byzantine worship, reflecting theological debates over iconography and worship practices.

Transformation of Book Form

  • Shift from scroll to book form reflecting cultural innovations.

Islamic Art and Architecture

Overview of Islamic Expansion

  • Growth of Islamic influence following 622 CE, reaching vast territories.

The Kaaba, Mecca

  • Historical significance rooted in monotheistic worship.

Great Mosque of Cordoba (965)

  • Example of Islamic architectural grandeur.