lecture4 ancientart

ART 101: Introduction to Art

Art and Cultural Mythologies

James Greene | Visiting Assistant Professor | 1110 CAC | [email protected]

Art & Cultural Mythology:

Parthenon reliefsculpture depicting

The battle of the Lapiths and the Centaurs

Marble

477-438 BC

The myths we know today form a living link to the creation of the earth and the origins of humanity.

Some ancient myths still form the basis for living religions today, such as Hinduism.

Art & Cultural Mythology: Myths an Religion

The Creation of the Cosmic Oceans and the Elements, from The Shiva Purana, c. 1828

Mythic stories recur across more than one cultural tradition.

Art & Cultural Mythology: Recurring Themes

The story of the Great Flood appears in the Sumerian, Muslim and Christian myths.


Paleolithic Art


Artist’s rendering of Earthduring the last Ice Age.

Art & Cultural Mythology: PALEOLITHIC ART

Europe during the last Ice Age (reaching maximum coverage c. 18,000 BC and retreating fully ca. 9,000 BC)



Detail of painted ceiling in Altamira Cave (Santander, Spain) c. 14,000-12,000 BC


Bison, Altamira Cave (detail) c. 14,000-12,000 BC


Dead bison, Altamira Cave (detail) c. 14,000-12,000 BC


Hall of the Bulls (left wall) Lascaux, France c. 15,000-13,000 BC

“Chinese Horse” detail of right wall of Axial Gallery, Lascaux, France c. 15,000-13,000 BC, approx. 4’ 8” long


Venus of Willendorf (Austria) c. 28,000-23,000 BC, limestone, approx. 4 ¼ “ high



Mesopotamia


Art & Cultural Mythology: MESOPOTAMIA

Art & Cultural Mythology: MESOPOTAMIA – Sumerian Art

Reconstruction of the sacred precinct of Ur, as it may have looked in 2100 BC.


Ziggurat, (southeastern facade with restored stairs), Ur, c. 2100 BC


Ziggurat, (view from the north), Ur, c. 2100 BC


U.S. Soldiers from the 17th Fires Brigade make their way up the reconstructed stairs of the Ziggurat of Ur, Iraq, near Contingency Operating Base Adder, May 18, 2010

Reconstruction of the city of Uruk, c. 4000 - 3100 BC


Example of clay tablet with cuneiform impressions, Uruk, Sumeria c. 2000 BC


Cuneiform tablet containing the story of Gilgamesh, Uruk, Sumeria c. 2500 BC



Modern-day site of the ancient city of Uruk, near As-Samawah, Iraq.

Art & Cultural Mythology: ASSYRIAN ART


Reconstruction of Ashurbanipal’s throne room, Nineveh, Iraq c. 669-633 B.C

Lion Hunt Scenes, Palace of Ashurbanipal, Nineveh, Iraq, bas relief panel, limestone c. 669-633 B.C.


Dying Lioness, Palace of Ashurbanipal, Nineveh, Iraq, bas relief panel, limestone c. 669-633 B.C.


Lion Hunt Scenes, Palace of Ashurbanipal, Nineveh, Iraq, bas relief panel, limestone c. 669-633 B.C.



Battle of Til-Tuba, Palace of Ashurbanipal, Nineveh, Iraq, bas relief panel, limestone c. 669-633 B.C.


After the Battle of Til-Tuba, Palace of Ashurbanipal, Nineveh, Iraq, bas relief panel, limestone c. 669-633 B.C.


Ancient Egypt


Art & Cultural Mythology: ANCIENT EGYPT


A concern with death and the afterlife is characteristic of Ancient Egyptian culture throughout their multi-millennia run.


“Nothing would be lacking that had been enjoyed on Earth.”Below: The Inventory of earthly belongings in the tomb of Tutankhamun.

Art & Cultural Mythology: ANCIENT EGYPT – Predynastic Period

Palette of King Narmer (front and back) Hierakonpolis, Upper Egypt, c. 3000 BC, slate

Art & Cultural Mythology: ANCIENT EGYPT – Predynastic Period

Palette of King Narmer(front and back)

Hierakonpolis, Upper Egypt,

c. 3000 BC, slate

Art & Cultural Mythology: ANCIENT EGYPT – Old Kingdom

Great Pyramids of Gizeh. From left: Menkaure, c. 2525-2475; BC, Khafre, c. 2575-2525 BC; Khufu, c. 2600-2550 BC


Great Pyramid of Khafre, c. 2575-2525 BC


Cross-section of the Pyramid of Khufu, Gizeh.


Pyramid complex facing Khafre & Khufu, Including causeway and Great Sphinx, Gizeh.


Great Sphinx (with Pyramid of Khufu in the background) Gizeh, c. 2575-2525 BC approx. 65’ high, 240’ long


Great Sphinx (with Pyramid of Khufu in the background) Gizeh, c. 2575-2525 BC; approx. 65’ high, 240’ long


Jean-Léon Gérome General Bonaparte Before the Sphinx, oil on canvas, 1867-68


Khafre (Left and right sides)from Gizeh, c. 2575-2525 BC.Diorite, approx. 5’6” high


Menkaure and KhamerernebtyFrom Gizeh, c. 2575-2525 BCApprox. 4’6” highSlate

Art & Cultural Mythology: ANCIENT EGYPT – New Kingdom

Hypostyle Hall (exterior), Temple of Amen-Re, Karnak, Egypt, 1275-1225 BC


Hypostyle Hall (detail), Temple of Amen-Re, Karnak, Egypt, 1275-1225 BC


Temple of Ramses II, Abu Simbel, c. 1275-1225 BC. Colossi approx. 65’ high


Pillar statue ofAkhenaton fromThe temple ofAmen-Re,Karnak,New KingdomSandstone,painted.c. 1356 BC


Queen NefertitiFrom Tell-El-Amarna1355-1335 BC Painted limestoneApprox. 20” high


Ancient Greek Art


Art & Cultural Mythology: ANCIENT GREECE – Early Agean Art

Art & Cultural Mythology: ANCIENT GREECE – Early Agean Art

Cycladic IdolFrom Amorgos(front view)c. 2500-1100 BC

Art & Cultural Mythology: ANCIENT GREECE – Archaic Period

Temple of Hera I, Paestum, c. 550 BC

Art & Cultural Mythology: ANCIENT GREECE

A comparison on Greek column orders:

Doric Ionic Corinthian


Kouros FigureFrom AtticaGreek(Archaic)marblec. 600 BC


KroisosFrom AanavysosGreek(Archaic)marblec. 530 BC

Art & Cultural Mythology: ANCIENT GREECE – Early Classical Period

Kritios BoyFrom the Acropolis, Athensmarblec. 530 BC

PolykleitosDoryphoros (The Spearbearer)Roman marble copy of Greek bronze original450-40 BC (original)

The Principles of Design: PROPORTION

Art & Cultural Mythology: ANCIENT GREECE – Early Classical Period

Riace Warrior(front and detail of torso)From the sea off Riace (Italy)Bronzec. 460-450 BCApprox. 6’6” high

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