Notes: Prehistoric to Roman Art

Prehistoric Time

  • Prehistoric time is the period before writing was invented, known through fossils and artifacts, and divided into the Stone, Bronze, and Iron Ages.

Prehistoric Artworks

  • Cave Painting
    • Images of animals, people, and symbols painted on cave walls.
    • Examples: Lascaux Caves (France); Altamira Caves (Spain)
  • Figurines
    • Small prehistoric statues or molded human or animal figures.
    • Examples: Venus of Willendorf (Austria); Venus of Hohl Fels (Germany)
  • Stone Carvings
    • The art of shaping stone into figures, designs, or monuments by cutting or chipping.
    • Examples: Moai statues (Easter Island); Lion Man Sculpture (Germany)

Early Civilizations

  • In early civilization artworks, the first organized societies expressed beliefs, power, and daily life through architecture, sculpture, and painting.

Art of Ancient Mesopotamia

  • Known as the “cradle of civilization.”
  • Features: cuneiform writing, ziggurats, detailed sculptures showing gods, kings, and daily life.

Art of Ancient Egypt

  • The arts include architecture, sculpture, painting, and decorative crafts.
  • Reflected beliefs, daily life, and honor for gods and pharaohs.

Egyptian Architecture

  • Egyptian architecture includes pyramids, temples, tombs, and monuments built to honor gods, pharaohs, and the afterlife.

Egyptian Drawing and Paintings

  • Drawings and paintings were colorful artworks on walls, papyrus, and objects.
  • Showed gods, pharaohs, daily life, and religious scenes in a flat, symbolic style.

Egyptian Sculptures

  • Sculptures are carved statues and figures of gods, pharaohs, and animals.
  • Made to honor deities, celebrate rulers, and serve in temples or tombs.

Incidental Music

  • Contexts: Theater; Films — helps build tension, excitement, sadness, or joy.
  • Used in classical music by composers such as Beethoven, Mendelssohn, and Grieg.

Art of Ancient Greece

  • Greek art, including sculptures, paintings, architecture, and music, expresses values such as courage, valor, and independence.

Greek Periods (art)

  • Geometric Period (
    • Timeframe: 900-700\ \text{BCE}
    • Characteristics: art with shapes and patterns, simple human figures
    • Example: Dipylon Krater — a large vase decorated with geometric patterns and funeral scenes
  • Archaic Period ( 700-480\ \text{BCE} )
    • Characteristics: stiff, formal statues; beginnings of lifelike style
    • Example: Kouros statues (young male figures with stiff, frontal poses; like the New York Kouros)
  • Classical Period ( 480-323\ \text{BCE} )
    • Characteristics: balanced, realistic, and ideal human forms
    • Example: Discobolus (Discus Thrower) by Myron; Parthenon sculptures
  • Hellenistic Period ( 323-31\ \text{BCE} )
    • Characteristics: emotional, dramatic, and highly detailed art
    • Examples: Laocoon and His Sons; Winged Victory of Samothrace (dramatic emotional statues)

Greek Architecture

  • Ancient Greek architecture is characterized by the capitals atop the Greek columns.
  • The three decorative styles (the orders) are Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian.
  • These architectural orders identify the style and proportions of a building.

Doric Order

  • oldest and simplest Greek column style
  • No base; plain round capital (top); sturdy, heavy look
  • Example: The Parthenon in Athens is built in the Doric order

Ionic Order

  • Known for slender columns with scroll-like designs (volutes) on the capital
  • Example: Temple of Athena Nike in Athens, Greece

Corinthian Order

  • Known for tall elegant columns; capitals decorated with carved acanthus leaves
  • Example: Temple of Zeus in Greece

Temples of Greece

  • Sacred temples were sacred buildings that housed a deity’s image and served as places of worship and offerings

Parthenon in Athens

  • Grand marble temple on the Acropolis of Athens
  • Built from 447-432\ \text{BCE} to honor Athena

Temple of Zeus

  • Also called Olympieion; massive Corinthian temple in Athens dedicated to Zeus

Temple of Hera

  • Built around 600\ \text{BCE} in Doric style; one of Greece’s oldest temples, dedicated to Hera
  • Also associated with the Olympic Flame in some contexts

Pottery of Greek Culture

  • Greek pottery is clay art decorated with scenes of mythology and daily life
  • Valued for practical use and as a key source of knowledge about Greek culture

Amphora

  • A tall narrow jar with two vertical handles
  • Used for storing wine, oil, or grain

Krater

  • A large, wide-mouthed bowl with handles
  • Used for mixing wine and water at banquets

Kylix

  • A large shallow cup with two horizontal handles
  • Used in mixing wine and water

Art of Ancient Rome

Roman Sculpture

  • Art created by the ancient Romans; known for realistic portraits, statues of emperors and gods, and displays of power, honor, or events

Arch of Titus Relief

  • A marble relief in Rome showing Roman soldiers carrying treasures from Jerusalem

Portrait Bust of Julius Caesar

  • Realistic sculpture capturing Caesar's distinct features, symbolizing his power and leadership

Capitoline Wolf

  • A bronze statue of a female wolf with Romulus and Remus
  • Represents the myth of Rome’s founding and Rome’s strength

Roman Pottery

  • Pottery made by ancient Romans for practical use: storing, cooking, and serving food and liquids

Patera

  • Shallow dish or bowl, often used in religious offerings

Ola (Olla)

  • Round cooking pot used for boiling food or storing ashes after cremation

Urn

  • Containers used for storing ashes after cremation

Roman Architecture

  • Roman architectural style features temples, baths, and aqueducts
  • Distinguished by arches, vaults, and domes
  • Inscribed motto on some works: "MAGRIPPALFCOSTERTIVM FECIT" (as seen on some monuments)

Colosseum

  • A massive amphitheater in Rome used for gladiator games and public spectacles

Pantheon

  • A temple with a huge dome and oculus, dedicated to all Roman gods
  • Inscribed motto on some monuments: "MAGRIPPALF COSTERTIVM FECIT" (as seen on some monuments)

Arch of Titus

  • Triumph arch honoring Titus's victory in Jerusalem

Roman Temples

  • Temples used to worship, offerings, and housing the deity's statue

Temple of Vesta

  • Circular temple where the sacred fire was kept by the Vestal Virgins

Temples of Venus and Roma

  • One of the largest temples in Rome, honoring Venus and the goddess Roma

Temple of Castor and Pollux

  • Dedicated to the twin gods; symbol of victory at the Battle of Lake Regillus

Quiz (Group Activity)

  • Instructions: Form 5 groups and name the following works and identify if they are from Rome or Greece.
  • Items (examples appearing in the slides):
    • Doric
    • Temple of Zeus
    • Temple of Castor and Pollux
    • Amphora
    • Capitoline Wolf
    • (Additional items appear in the slide deck for group activity)

Quiz: Multiple Choice and Identification

    1. were sacred buildings that housed a deity’s image and served as places of worship and offerings.
    • a. Corinthians
    • b. Greek Temples
    • c. Roman Architecture
    1. Is a clay art decorated with scenes of mythology and daily life, valued for both its practical use and as a key source of knowledge about Greek culture.
    • a. Greek Temples
    • b. Roman Architecture
    • c. Greek Pottery
    1. Is a grand marble temple on the Acropolis of Athens.
    • a. Temple of Zeus
    • b. Roman Architecture
    • c. Temple of Athena
    1. A marble relief in Rome showing Roman soldiers carrying treasures from Jerusalem.
    • a. Temple of Zeus
    • b. Arch of Titus Relief
    • c. Temple of Athena
    1. Shallow dish or bowl, often used in religious offerings.
    • a. Patera
    • b. Ola
    • c. Urn
    1. (Repeated) Shallow dish or bowl, often used in religious offerings.
    • a. Patera
    • b. Ola
    • c. Urn