week11.

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. 

#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.

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.

#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.

#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. 

#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. 

#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.

Week two. Post #2. The Venus of Willendorf.

        In the article written by Christopher L. C. E.Witcombe named “The Veneus of Willendorf.”  He talks about the figure that found near the Danube River near the town of Willendorf in Austria.  Also, her 11.1 centimeters high frame is not the most realistic of figures: her female attributes are quite exaggerated.  About the name, like almost every single older work of art, this is not the name the artist gave it to figure, but rather the name that stuck after her discovery. As for the Venus, the ancient Roman goddess of love, she predates classical mythology by over 20,000 years-prehistoric female figures found in the 1920s, like this one, were often bestowed with the name ‘Venus’. If we compared with the Venus of Willendorf and classical Venus as visually. Willendorf statuette is the lack of a face, armless, footless, short, and stout body. And classical Venus is tall, erotically curvaceous, nude young woman whose primary identity resides in her physical and sexual body.

       Many an explanation is offered as to their meaning and significance for women today introducing a wide variety of viewpoints. Now we define the beauty as skinny, glamorous, and well-proportioned figure. It is totally different with the ‘Venus of Willendorf’ figure. However, in the medieval times, a person who has plump out body was seen as wealthy because they were able to have many foods. So we could think that this figure woman was seen as beautiful and wealthy because of her size.  Also, mostly thought of this figure is a representation of female fertility. The statuette served as a fertility idol, the sculptor included only those parts of the female body needed for the conception and nurture of children. Those areas associated with fertility, breasts, and buttocks. Stomach and labia (suggesting pregnancy) are treated almost to the exclusion of everything else. The figure has no face, which is not a portrayal of an individual, and no feet. The arms are rendered as mere sticks. Consequentially, Even though the aspect of the woman does not fit in the classical Venus, there is no reason to say that it was not a model of beauty at that time. As mother goddess, I think that this figure could be the most beautiful body in the world. I feel like this figure refers to beyond wealth and prolificacy.