It was really
interesting that I learned lots of things about art history through this class.
Especially, I enjoyed prehistoric art and ancient Egypt art during this
quarter. I usually intrigued by the visual details. When we look through all
the details we could know about the characteristic the artistic periods.
However, the historical context would help to understand more and eventually
the historical context is the best part for understanding these works of art. About
the prehistoric art, I was surprised that how that old works of art could exist
till now. And, I like the cave wall painting. It is quite abstractive but I
guess that people who lived in that period wanted to express something through
painting instead of letter. Also, in the prehistoric art, I really like the
Woman from Willendorf and I think it is really interesting piece of work. It is
quite small but it represented meaningful things. Her body expressing health
and fertility that could ensure the ability tot produce strong child. And it could
be a pregnant woman’s perspective to own body.
Actually I really like the Egypt arts and structures as well. Pyramid is
the most interesting structure to me. I was always wondering how to make these
wonderful structures in that period. The great pyramid at Giza is the one of
the greatest architectural in the world. It is the true pyramid with a square
base and four sloping triangular faces, and the angled sides may have been
meant to represent the slanting rays of the sun, for inscriptions on the walls
of pyramid tombs built in the Fifth and Sixth Dynasties (Stokstad 56). Usually people just know as visually about
the historic works of art but in this quarter, I learned lots of periods of
arts with histories in detail.
Art235. Ancient and Medieval ART.
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
#8. Temptation and Fall of Adam and Eve and the Crucifixion
In this
week, I want to talk about Temptation and Fall of Eve and Adam and Crucifixion
of the Hildesheim Cathedral doors. Firstly I want to describe the panels in
detail. Left panel, which is named Temptation and Fall of Eve and Adam, I can
see the naked man and woman, and I feel like they are trying to eat apples off
the trees. This panel is in the curve in high relief so it looks amazing and animated.
According to the bible in Luke 12:5, "And the LORD God took the man, and
put him into the Garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it. And the LORD God
commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat:
But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it:
for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die". Adam could
eat of every tree, except one. God had given Adam a Command. Sin is disobeying
God’s Commandments. God also warned Adam of the consequences of disobeying His
Command. The penalty for disobedience was death. Adam’s obedience was going to
be tested. I don’t know many of the bible stories but I absolutely know about
story of the Adam and Even. In
this panel, we could know that Adam and Eve are just about to eat an apple from
the tree of the knowledge. This panel was wanted to express the exact moment of
before eating the apple.
The right
side panel named Crucifixion of Jesus Christ. This panel also carved in high
relief on Jesus Christ body. And his arms are outstretched and his body looks
really weak. Beside him, there are two guards to threat him and one of the
other two persons might be his mother. And four of them carved in low relief. I
guess this panel has meaning of sin. Even the moment of Jesus Christ die, he
said to god that forgives them. This panel also represent the moment of when
Jesus Christ suffering.
Both panels
have great lesson from the bible and implied the forgiveness about sin. But themes
are quite opposite in that left one is showing the beginning moment of sin and
the other one is showing the saving of sinners. Also the composition of these
two panels feel like well organized pieces. The carving of high relief made reality
and feel like they are going to pop up. And both of them related to God and God
letting us the way to be free from the sin. I think these panels are very interesting to me.
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
blog#7. Roman and Early christian.
Sculpture portraits of Roman imperial were very accurate and
faithful portraits of individuals. Roman patrons in the republican period
admired realistic portraits, and sculptors delivered leader as the power of
person or symbol of spiritual power. For example, “Head of a Man (known as
Brutus)” conveys strong, broad face with its heavy brows, firmly set lips, and
wide open eyes. Lucius Junius Brutus was a founder and first consul of the
Roman Republic. The sculpture represents very strong characteristics of him and
great strength of purpose as the ancient hero. Furthermore, Roman artists of the
Augustan age created a new style, a Roman form of idealism. The sculpture
represented idealization of a specific ruler and imperial portraiture for
propaganda. The sculpture, “Augustus of Primaporta” also illustrates the
historical idealistic individual portrait. Augustus was a vigorous young ruler
so he’s depicted as the image of muscular warrior figure like Greek idealistic
sculpture as. However, I think that the
sculpture, ”Commodus as Hercules” conveys twisted silly leader feature. In this
sculpture he took off the dress of a Roman emperor and took to wearing a lion
skin over his head and carrying the club in his right hand and the golden
apples in his left hand. And two cornucopiae are full of fruit hold up the bust. As the supposed
reincarnation of Hecules and the incarnation of the god Jupiter, he even
appeared in the arena to display his physical ability. But no painting in this
eye and it also makes weak as well. I guess he wanted to hide his weakness and
appear powerful and strength by using the sculpture. On the other hand, the
portrait head of Caracalla looks stern and fierce man by using fine lines and contrast
of the light. I feel like this sculpture is more strong and powerful than
Commodus one. I guess that detail of the Caracalla’s eyes and face makes
powerful ruler. Even it shows his wrinkles on his face and mustache. Unlike the
Commodus one, Caracalla bust has only face part. But I only can feel the
powerful and virile things in the Caracalla’s bust. In the Commodus bust, I cannot
feel the powerful and virile through his face but lion skin helps it. But the
Commodus one looks more luxurious.
Sculpture
was a powerful source of political
propaganda that generations of rulers used. They modelled themselves in
stone, the bringers of peace and prosperity, and later even in the image of
gods. The sculptures are also used to commemorate specific events and to remind
the people of their Emperor’s military skills. I think that both of
sculptures show the rules’ ability and character through their appearance. The
sculpture of Commodus and Caracalla looks different but both of them are
similar in portray propaganda. Commodus wanted to show as a God with wearing
lion skin by showing powerful ruler. Also, the sculpture of Caracalla shows
that powerful hard worker ruler. The sculptures appear their character and ability about lead
as well. I guess that their looking might help them as a tool of political
propaganda.
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
#6. Parthenon Marbles
The British Museum which is really popular in the
world offer the diversity of the cultures, ancient and modern and the collections of the British Museum were
often make an offer to see the valuable things. Many people go to the British
Museum for seeing Parthenon Marbles from all over the world, and some of them
even do not know about what story is in it. Even before move in to the British
Museum, the Parthenon Marbles had a tough life. Once it was bomb storage. Also,
the Parthenon Marbles had serious damage by the Ottoman Empire named Lord Elgin and he take them off to the Greece and
move to the British. Also, for moving the Marbles, they even cut into pieces.
According to thedailybeast, In the course of his Ottoman escapade, he lost the
following: his beautiful and rich wife to his best friend, a big chunk of his
nose to a nasty infection he'd caught in Constantinople and, ultimately, his
marbles, which he was forced to sell to the British government in 1816 for
£35,000 (roughly equivalent to $4 million today) to dig himself out of debt
after his divorce. It is quite ridiculous story and I think that it is unreasonable
story for that. Now the Parthenon Marbles are the heart of the British Museum
and they do not even think about to return it. From 1816, the British Museum
has insisted ownership of the Parthenon Marbles. Also they claim that the
marbles symbolize the beginning of civilization so they say it is not only belonging
to the Greece. I think that whatever is not belonging to own culture, they
should not take it forever just like the British Museum. Just for the museum
display encourages aesthetics would not be the reason for keeping the beautiful
monument. Personally, I am from Korea and we were once a subordinate to the
Japan, so our country’s power was weak. At that time, our precious relics were
taken by many other countries such as France, China, and, Japan. We are
demanding the restitution of the relics but many countries still insist that they
do not want to return it. Once, France has lent one of our valuable ancient
records for the five years and they want to renewal the contract, but I think
we will not going to give them back. Even though it could be difficult and take
some times, our country will try hard to get the relics back. Seriously I
understand that how Greek feels about it. I feel like the countries that taken
the precious relics insist ridiculously. So I think that the Parthenon marbles
should be returned to Athens. I believe that if the Parthenon Marbles move to
the Athens, we could see the complete form of the temple and we could deeply
move our heart. The British Museum might not want to return it but I truly wish
that the valuable relics could be getting back in original place. One day I
want to see the result of our efforts for get back our valuable and precious
relics.
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
#5 Ancient Egypt art and Ancient Aegean art.
I am going to compare with Karomama in ancient Egypt art that from c. 945-715 BCE and Woman or Goddess with Snakes in ancient
Aegean art that from c. 1700-1550 BCE. Basically it looked similar when we just
take a glance it but it is totally different when we look through from basic
material to meaning of these statues.
The “Karomama”, which is on page 78, is based on Queen
Karomama in Egyptian queen who married to Osorkon II. This statue is depicted in a walking pose, shaking sistra which were used for
ritual rattle but it is missing now. Karomama is barefoot, walking
forward on the base, her arms outstretched to shake the sistrums. She is clad
in a close-fitting, pleated dress with wide sleeves. It reaches to mid-calf and
is encircled by the feathered wings of a vulture, which wrap around her thighs.
A short wig frames her face. The coiled
uraeus emerges from the modius, a small cap that originally held a crown. A
lavish, jeweled collar extends from the top of her shoulders to her bust. The
slender proportions of the figure embody a charming femininity. The face,
however, has a severe expression, with inlaid eyes, aquiline noise, and small,
delicately shaped mouth. This work represents Karomama in her role as Divine
Adoratrice. Also, the statue was created
with the lost-wax bronze casting process and features complicated metal inlays.
These created colorful effects, although some are now missing. Gold leaf was
also used to highlight different sections of the body, such as the wig with
finely incised curls. A magnificent eight-tiered collar remains; it includes
alternating rows of geometric and plant designs: rosettes, lotus petals,
checkerboards, and spirals.
The “Woman or Goddess with Snakes is intriguing both as a
ritual object and as a work of art” is according to page on 87. It looks like
bare-breasted, arms extended, her leopard cap has been said to be symbol of
royalty; regardless, and brandishing a snake in each hand, the woman is
commanding presence. Also she is wearing a fitted dress and open bodice with an
apron over a typically Minoan flounced skirt.
This figurine of a woman holding a snake in each hand found during
excavation of Minoan archaeological sites in Crete dating from approximately
1600 BCE. It seems that the two elegant idols found in Knossos represented goddesses
and by implication, the term 'snake goddess' also describes the chthonic deity
depicted. This figure was found with other ceremonial objects in a pit in one
of Knossos’s storerooms. Also, this figure made of wood, ivory, precious
metals, stone, and faience which is colorfully glazed fine ceramic. One of the
prime pieces of evidence in support of the view that women dominated Minoan
culture is this figure. Prehistoric religion centered on a dominant goddess of
fertility whose young male consort's annual death and rebirth symbolized the
decay and regrowth of vegetation.
Because of difference of culture between ancient Egypt and
Aegean, it should be different in art work. Even though these beautiful works
are made in different period and different materials, both works are very
attractive pieces. I really liked that existing women power in ancient period
through statues.
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
#4. Pyramid and Ziggurat
Most of great monument in ancient
period is remarkable. Some works are not sure that how the ancient people made
the works and what for. They always brought us curiosity. Especially, pyramids
at Giza and ziggurats of the ancient near east are the most famous monuments. Even
though we do not exactly know about these, some similarity and difference exist.
Pyramids and ziggurats both provide archeologists with a great deal of
information about the ancient cultures that constructed them. When comparing
The Pyramids of Giza with The Ziggurats of the ancient near east, the
differences between them are more apparent than the similarities that they
share. The two structures actually only appear to be similar. Both have the
general form of a pyramid. Some other similarities shared by these two types of
structures can be interpreted from the context of the religions of those who
had them erected and what role they served for the society. Also, for building
these structures, maybe over 20,000 people had to work just like slaves. Among
the differences are their intended usage, how they were decorated, their
designs, and the materials used in their construction.
In order to clearly know about how
different these two structures are, I am going to explain about their designs
and the materials used to build them. Contrasts in the decorations of the two
types of structures are then discussed.
As we know that one of the greatest and
largest structures is The Pyramids of Giza. It was built with exacting precision
from brick or stone. It was made about 2575-2150 B.C. The base is about over
52,600 square meters in area and it is over 2 tons. Unlike the Ziggurats that
made of mud-brick, the Pyramids were made of limestone that durable and heavy
thing. Also, the Pyramids were not only used for worship place but also used
for funerary purpose place to king and queen buried. A lot of treasure used to bury
with tomb but it had been robbed of its treasures.
The Ziggurat is also greatest and
largest structure in the world. The Ziggurat’s basic structure is made of
rectangle and it have different step of levels. Because of flood thing, people
made different terraced levels are stacked on this structure. And the Ziggurat was made for served as a
temple for worship on the top it and maybe people thought that there was a sacred
place for more reaching to worship. Temples were originally built on platforms.
During the third millennium B.C., these were made higher and bigger. Eventually
it was decided to build even higher temples on platforms that were stepped.
No one knows for certain why the
Pyramids and the Ziggurats were built or how they were used. They are part of
temple complexes, so they were probably connected with religion and tomb. Or
passably it could have used something different purpose. However, these
structures show us to their culture and society through them. I think that
these structures are attracted and mysterious.
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
#3. Art of the Ancient Near East
The Funerary relief bust of Haliphat
made on date her death to the year 231 C.E in Syria. This Funerary relief bust
covered the openings of burial compartments in family tombs located in the
desert outside Palmyra. This is about 60 centimeters tall, 55 centimeters wide,
and 23 centimeters depth. It is almost square shape bust and has proper
proportion. Head part with hood is break bounds and I think that it is unusual
thing but also it is pretty unique. It is quite big sculpture that about less
than half of human’s body. This object made by limestone. Limestone is usually
used in building material, but when it used in this object, it gives warm
feeling. The color is almost same with skin color, so it feels familiar and
makes movement. The color faded it makes this object as gentle and warm woman.
She places in center of this object
with relief skill, so it seems to guide the viewer to on position. The viewpoint
suggested by front side of her and front side have all the details. Her face is
toward to front, and she is expressionless. She has long face shape, long
straight eyebrows, big and bright eyes that stand at gaze, long nose that looks
manly, ears that covered over the hair, and small lips that looks upright
person. Also, it is not clear but she expresses something with her fingers that
touch on her face with her right index finger and middle finger. She wears
elaborate jewelries and dressed fashionably. She wears earring that looks dumbbell,
three different necklaces, brooch, and two rings on her left hand little
finger. Her cloth seems likely the Greek people used to wear it. And it is not
clear to recognize it but I guess that she also put up her hood. She ties up
her wavy hair and takes down few hairs. But I am not sure about upper head part;
it seems like baldhead or put something on upper head. She looks really
fashionable and wealthy with many jewelries and gesture.
In addition, there is background
that attached her back; also it was broken little bit on the side of this
object. Faint lines are decorated her back and it is symmetrical carving. It
looks like she sits on the chair or it also looks like that her clothes extend
to the background. Some feathers or leaves decorated it as well. But other
decoration is not clear so background part is hard to see it. This background
makes this object looks two-dimensional sculptures but since this object is
used for funeral, it is not necessary to concern. Even though I can barely see
the lines in the background, it makes more luxurious to her.
This sculpture absolutely emphasizes
a sense of volume and little bit of three-dimensional form with relief. As long
as it was used for funerary, it just doesn’t have backside but it almost feels
like three-dimensional forms. Especially her face, right hand fingers, arms with
the cloth, clothes wrinkles, and hood parts are emphasized the three dimensional
with light and shadows. This sculpture emphasized upper part, so we are
concentrate her face a lot more than other part. Shadows make the object looks
more realistic. It creates a sense of drama. It is not sure but her face and
fingers are making a story. Also light and shadow makes movement as well in
upper area. She grabs her cloth with her left hand. It makes some drama as well.
Almost part of this object is composed of nice
and smooth texture. I think that the color and texture are well matched. Only
hands, cheeks, and nose part are smooth and other than that wrinkles are all
over the object. In this sculpture, vertical and diagonal lines are used
together. Vertical lines make her as upright person and seem long. Diagonal
lines make a feeling of movement. Cloth have smooth wrinkle, her hair part is
dense wrinkles that made beautiful curly hair, even wrinkles in her neck. It
shows that it is really exquisite sculpture. Also, this sculpture has many
jewelries and it show a lot of details. Even third necklace have different
color and shape.
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