Notes for the Units Prehistoric to Egyptian Art

Paleolithic Art (30,000BC and on)

“Old Stone Age”- tools are made of stone (before metal)

Man makes the critical breakthrough and becomes wholly human. Not just recognizing human or animal forms in the world around them (eg- a pebble that looks like a human face), but REPRESENTATION of them.

- Invention of representation!

- Birth of characteristically human capability that has man master of his environment- making images and symbols.

- an aesthetic (beauty) sense and the ability to pose and solve problems are among the characteristics unique to human beings

Example artwork

Venus of Willendorf, limestone, 4.5” high, 28,000- 25,000BC

Cave Paintings

Some of the most spectacular prehistoric art was found in the caves of southern France and northern Spain

Characteristic of Ancient Art to these paintings are two things:

1. subject matter = animals- bison, mammoth, ibex, horse, etc.

2. subject in strict profile- this view is the only one that is completely informative about the animal’s shape. – CONCEPTUAL NOT OPTICAL

Originality or variety is not highly valued as today.

Example artwork

Bison, Altamira cave, Spain, 12,000-11,000BC, each bison 5’ long

Recap:

First sculptures are small and female

First paintings are usually of animals

Conceptual (not optical) views are usually created

Meanings are unclear due to a lack of writing left behind (“prehistoric”)

Food gathering of the Paleolithic Period turns to food production of the Neolithic Period

The Ancient Near Eastalso known as Mesopotamia

Israel, Syria, Iraq, Iran, Turkey and Egypt

Mesopotamia- Greek word that means “the land between the rivers”-Tigris and Euphrates Rivers

1. god/man relationship

2. city states- independent city, with its own government

Ziggurat of Ur, Iraq, 2100BC

3. writing- (developed simultaneously with Egypt) called cuneiform

Example Artwork

Bull Headed Lyre anddetail ofSoundbox from Lyre, Royal Cemetery of Ur, Iraq, 2600BC (Sumerian)

Recap:

Birth of urban life (civilization) in Mespotamia

Birth of writing

Monumental art and architecture- ruler portraits, law codes, palaces

Egyptian

5500BC – 3100BC pre-dynastic

3100BC- 332BC dynastic

Pharaoh- Egyptian king- originally from the Egyptian for “great house” referring to the royal palace (New Kingdom) e.g. “White House” = US President

Hieroglyphs= symbols, from the Greek “sacred” hieros “to carve” glyphen

Egyptian Art = Religious

1 art linked to religion- religious to excess

- rulers are divine kings, sons of sun god (Ra or Re)- gods in human form

- kings=link to gods

2 art linked to death- ensure safety in new life

3 art had ongoing use of strict conventionalism- afforded a sense of permanence

dwellings = impermanent, tombs = permanent

Example artwork

Palette of King Narmer, Egypt, pre-dynastic, 3000-2920 BC

The Great Pyramids; Mycerinus, Chefren, and Cheops.c. 2650–2500 B.C.E.

Human Figure Representation Convention:

Head- profile

Eye- frontal (most expressive from front)

Shoulders - frontal

Hips, legs, feet– profile

Egypt Recap:

-Religious beliefs of the soul’s everlasting life

-Pharoahs (kings) are considered man and god

-Consistent use of Canon of Proportion

-Tombs and temples expressed the grandeur and permanence of the kingdom of Egypt