Art 1
Throughout the first unit we will explore the beginning of history as we know it. But before we look into ancient cultures and civilizations we must ask the question, "Why is it important to study history in art?" If this thought has ran through your mind you're no different than myself. The more important question is, "Why study history?" The answer is simple; to learn from our past. Looking into the past can help us understand and appreciate different cultures, and possibly become aware of reoccurring themes throughout history. Studying history alongside art is no different. Once we begin to understand what has happened throughout history we can then appreciate and understand the importance of different art movements, periods, works of art, and of course artists. Perhaps we can even learn creative techniques.
We'll start looking at art history at the beginning of history, and follow along as history progresses. I'll admit, learning about cave paintings and giant megaliths may not seem so exciting, but it is necessary to understand how art has evolved. We will start with the basics just as the ancient artists did, and hopefully learn a thing or two about them in the process.
Readings throughout the year will come from "Art History for Dummies." The author does a good job of filtering out the boring parts and making it easier to understand. I'm not telling you that it'll be easy to understand, just easier. With that said, if you have any questions relating to what we're discussing feel free to ask.
We'll start looking at art history at the beginning of history, and follow along as history progresses. I'll admit, learning about cave paintings and giant megaliths may not seem so exciting, but it is necessary to understand how art has evolved. We will start with the basics just as the ancient artists did, and hopefully learn a thing or two about them in the process.
Readings throughout the year will come from "Art History for Dummies." The author does a good job of filtering out the boring parts and making it easier to understand. I'm not telling you that it'll be easy to understand, just easier. With that said, if you have any questions relating to what we're discussing feel free to ask.
Unit 1- Prehistoric and MesopotamiaN
Vocabulary
Venus Lascaux Cave Paintings B.C. Pre-history Woman of Willendorf Paleo |
Assyrians
Babylonians Sumerians Standard of Ur Ziggurat Ishtar Gate |
Goebekli Tepe
Catalhoyuk Skara Brae Cromlechs Alignments Architecture Neo Stonehenge Megalith |
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Go ahead and read the PDF below. If you finish before others you can begin watching the video linked below.
mesopotamia.pdf | |
File Size: | 4512 kb |
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Pages 146-160
1. What does Mesopotamia mean? 2. What types of architecture did the Sumerians build? Why were they tall? 3. What shapes did the Sumerians use to draw/sculpt human forms?
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Pages 160-177
1. The Standard of Ur tells a story-what is it? 2. The Akkadians were defeated by the Assyrians. What did artwork depict (show) when the Assyrians were ruling? 3. Why was the Ishtar Gate built?
Once were're finished watching the video to the left we will begin watching the 6 part series, "What the Ancients Did For Us."
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Unit 2-Ancient Egypt and Greece
vocabulary-Ancient Egypt
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Nefertiti
Tutankhamun Rameses II Akhenaten Monotheistic |
Nile River
Dynasty Narmer The Palette of Narmer Post-unification |
Canon of Proportions
Egyptian Style Mastaba Step Pyramid Rosetta Stone |
Jean-Francois-Champollion
Hieroglyphs Great Pyramids |
To the left is an example of the "Canon of Proportions" used by the Ancient Egyptians. Again, the proportions of the man was determined by drawing the hand first. You can see that the width of the left hand is the same size as the square grid used to draw the figure. Compare that to the proportions we've discussed in class with the video to the right.
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<---Critique This PictureTo the left is an image that was in the reading. Notice the difference of the figures here compared to the typical "Canon of Prportions."
Using the worksheet provided fill in the "Who, What, When, Where, and Why." Worksheet
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egypt.pdf | |
File Size: | 6311 kb |
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ancient_egypt_1-ell.docx | |
File Size: | 2168 kb |
File Type: | docx |
ancient_egypt_2-ell.docx | |
File Size: | 84 kb |
File Type: | docx |
Reading 1
pages 178-193 Review Questions 1. What are the symbols of Lower Egypt? 2. Which direction does the Nile River flow? 3. Is Upper Egypt above or below Lower Egypt? 4. Why do post-unification Pharoahs wear a double crowns? 5. What is the Palette of Narmer? What Mesopotamian artifact is it similar too? Why? 6. Why are there cow heads on either side of Narmer's name on the Palette of Narmer? 7. Why is Narmer larger than the other men on the Palette of Narmer? |
Reading 2
pages 193-205 Review Questions 1. The Canon of Proportions is an 18-unit grid that sizes a person on what? 2. What are two characteristics of the Egyptian Style? 3. What was the first stone structure? 4. What was the Coptic language? 5. Who found the Rosetta Stone? |
Reading 3
pages 210-215 pages 220-221 No questions for this reading, but I would like you to complete the worksheet. Please print it out to my Printer (HSP Art) and complete. Once you've completed the worksheet use the information to write a paragraph critiquing the artwork. A critique discusses what the artwork is about, and also mentions if the artwork is successful (good) or not. A critique can also include your opinion about the piece. |
Ancient Greece
Vocabulary-Anceint Greece
Polykleitos
Canon Doryphoros Praxiteles Hermes and the Infant Contrapposto |
Crete
Aegean Sea The Toreador Fresco Minoans Mycenaens |
Kouros
Kritios Boy Democracy Severe Style Charioteer Kore Despotism |
Doric
Ionic Corinthian Aristocracy Propaganda |
Although Mesopotamia and Ancient Egypt were fabulous cultures that contributed to the development of civilization, a lot of what we do comes from Ancient Greece.
Ancient Greece had one of the most creative cities in history; Athens. We will start out talking about the Minoans, the Archaic period, the Classical Period, and finish with more 3D pieces of art. Archaic and Classical PeriodLook at the Greek sculpture, Kouros, to the left. Do you see any similarities between this sculpture and the Egyptian style?
Notice the Left leg is stepping forward; similar to that of the Egyptian figures, yet the rest of the figure starts to take on more realistic characteristics. Although this sculpture is more realistic than the figures of ancient Egypt it is still not as realistic as the Kritios Boy above. The Kritios Boy shows a more natural and relaxed stance. The Kouros symbolizes the old ways of Greece, when there was one man in control. The Kritios Boy symbolizes the new democracy. |
The Minoans: Greeks from CreteThe Minoans were basically the ancestors to the Greeks. They lived on the small island of Crete, which is south of Greece. The traded and interacted with the Mesopotamians and Egyptians, but their culture was different.
Eventually the Minoans would be invaded by surrounding tribes, forming what would eventually become the city states of Greece. |
Golden Age and 4th Century
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geometric style, vase painting & Columns
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When talking about the Greek vase paintings, the figures first had an oriental style, which means they looked similar to stick figures. The detail increased through time as the techniques gradually evolved.
The column was invented and heavily used by the Greeks. There was and still is three different orders; doric, ionic and corinthian. |
ancient_greece.pdf | |
File Size: | 5919 kb |
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ancient_greece_ell-1.docx | |
File Size: | 993 kb |
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ancient_greece_ell-2.docx | |
File Size: | 839 kb |
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ancient_greece_ell-4.docx | |
File Size: | 4724 kb |
File Type: | docx |
Reading 1
Pages 222-233 Guiding Questions 1. The Mesopotamian and Egyptian art focused on death and war; how was Minoan art different? 2. Where do the Minoans get their name from? 3. The Minoan artwork The Toreador Fresco shows what happening? 4. Is there more women or men bull jumpers? What does this possibly tell us? 5. How do the Minoan figures contrast to the Egyptian figures? 6. When Mycenae was invaded, why was art not created for over 400 years? |
Reading 2
Pages 233-243 Guiding Questions 1. What does Kouros mean? 2. What is the female version of archaic sculptures? 3. Which Greek sculpture symbolizes democracy? 4. Which period did Greek sculptures start to show movement? 5. Severe Style means what? 6. Why was the Charioteer commissioned? 7. Which Greek sculpture symbolizes the old ways? |
Reading 3
Pages 244-254 Guiding Questions 1. Polykleitos used this style of balance. 2. A book of rules written by Polykleitos. What was the book about? 3. What ended the Golden Age? 4. What is the key characteristic of 4th century sculpture? |
Reading 4
Pages 255-266 Guiding Quesstions 1. Why did earlier vase paintings have an Oriental-style? 2. By replacing the black figure with the red figure, what did this allow when making the vases? 3. What seems to be the theme with the pictures on the vases? 4. What are the three orders? What are they based off of? |