Hellenism
vocabulary
Hellinism was a style of Greek art during the period of Alexander the Great. Although Alexander the Great wasn't Greek, but Macedonian, he was very cultured in Greek society. As he expanded his empire he didn't force the Greek ways on the eastern cultures, yet allowed them to maintain their own beliefs, creating for one of the first melting pots of the world.
Hellenistic art can be distinguished from earlier Greek art by the suffering and pain felt within the figures. When looking at "The Dying Trumpeter" you can see the lost look on the man's face as he slowly fades into death. Similarly, in "Laocoon and His Sons" you can easily see the struggle to fight off the serpents. |
The Etruscans and Rome
vocabulary
If you recall, the Greeks were responsible for the three Greek orders (doric, ionic, and corinthian), which included the column. If the Greeks can be remembered for the column, then the Romans are most definitely remembered for the arch. To the left is the Pont du Gard, part of the Roman aqueduct system.
|
Reading 1 pgs. 274-280
Guiding Questions: 1. What other civilization/culture was developing at the same time as the Etruscans? 2. The Etruscans borrowed Gods from Greece. What are two other things they borrowed from their neighbors? 3. Why was most of the Etruscan Architecture gone? 4. How have we learned about the Etruscans if much of their world was destroyed? 5. Compare the early Etruscans' view on death vs. the later Etruscans. (hint: was it good or bad?) 6. How was the Etruscan civilization similar to ancient Greece? 7. What shape were the Etruscan temples? |
Reading 2 pgs. 281-294
Guiding Questions: 1. Why did wealthy people serve in the Roman Senate? Why were there civil wars at this time? 2. Why did early Roman art look like Greek or Etruscan art? 3. What type of person is a patrician? What type of person is a plebeian or plebe? 4. Once Augustus Caesar was emperor Roman art took was used as propaganda. What statue depicts Augustus as a great ruler? 5. What does the armor represent in the Augustus of Primaporta? What does the toga represent? 6. The ninth Roman Emperor Vespian was a normal, down-to-earth general who fought his way to the top. What major architectural structure did he have built? 7. What is the purpose of Trajan's Column? |
Reading 3 pgs. 294-312
Guiding Questions: 1.How do we think the Romans learned to paint realistically? 2. How did the Romans create the illusion of 3 dimensionality? 3. What were Roman murals made with? 4. How was the positioning of Roman buildings determined? 5. What kind of columns are used in the Maison Carree? 6. What is the Pont du Gard? 7. How were the stones of the Pont du Gard held together? 8. Approximately how many years did it take to build the Colosseum? 9. The Pantheon is the temple of Roman gods. How tall is the dome? What is the name for the opening in the top? How wide is the opening? |
Early Christian Art
vocabulary
Constantinople
Constantine Christ Enthroned and the Apostles in Heavenly Jerusalem |
Icons
Emperor Leo III Justinian Mosaics Iconoclasts Shade Tint Saturation |
Reading document below
|
Reading Assignment 1
pgs. 270-281 Guiding Questions: 1. What capitol was moved and became Constantinople? 2. What religion did Constantine bring to Rome? 3. In 476 A.D. Rome collapsed. What was the style of art in the Eastern Empire? In the Western Empire? 4. Why did early Christian art not depict life-size, free-standing sculptures? 5. In the mural painting, "Christ Enthroned...," list 3 different characteristics. Please define the blue vocabulary terms. |
Reading Assignment 2
Guiding Questions: 1. What did Emperor Leo III order? 2. What are icons? 3. Who were the Iconoclasts? |
eARLY AND MIDDLE BYZANTINE ART
JUSTINIAN MOSAICSMosaics were not a new idea. The Romans had made mosaics on the floors of their buildings using various shades of marble. Justinian was a Byzantine emperor from 527-565 A.D. Under his rule mosaics were made using various glasses, which allowed for much more intense and vibrant colors than those used in the Roman mosaics. However, since they were made from glass they were made on the wall rather than the floor.
To the left is The San Vitale mosaic of Empress Theodora and her attendants ( on the south wall of the apse). |
|
Icon Crashers vs. Icon lovers
|
Throughout the Byzantine Empire and Early Christianity the artwork started to take on less of a governmental influence. Religious icons became very popular.
In 726 A.D., Emperor Leo III came along and banned all artwork which included pictures of people, or religious icons. At this time Christianity had divided into two churches, Eastern Orthodox and Western. Eastern Orthodox sees itself as the original church founded by Jesus Christ. In the Ten Commandments it states "Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven images." Emperor Leo III was Eastern Orthodox, thus any pictures of people were made illegal. The images to the left depict various religious icons such as Constantine, Jesus, and Mary. Although Jesus and the Virgin Mary are religious figures their icons were still outlawed. The Iconoclasts (image breakers) came to an end when Theodora came into power. She was the wife of the last emperor, Theophilus, to support the destruction of icons. So, after 117 years icons were no longer illegal. |
- It’s Midnight my love
And leave behind my
Golden slipper
For you to find
Making sure that
There will be another
Evening of pure delight
The destruction of icons wasn't popular in Italy. Many of the popes didn't support it, which is why we still have many of them today.
Notice how each variation above is very similar to one-another. This is because the Orthodox Church believed St. Luke painted Jesus and Mary, and knew what they looked like, so every time an artist painted Jesus or Mary they tried to copy St. Luke's original. Also notice how the faces seem boring. Byzantine artists used symbolism instead of facial expressions to communicate spirituality. They felt facial expressions were too common for spiritual icons. Instead of facial expressions many icons wear specific colors or hold specific objects. |
|
Islamic Art
|
If you remember, Emperor Leo, III banned all graven images, or pictures of people. Ancient Islam was no different. Actually Emperor Leo, III was influenced by the ideals of Islam as well as taking the Ten Commandments literally. None-the-less Muslims were strictly forbidden to create any artwork which depicted man. This resulted in artwork shifting towards complex patterns and magnificent architectural structures. Many of the architectural structures were Mosques, places of worship for Muslims.
At this time Islam was very popular. It had spread west across the Mediterranean into Spain and to France, not to mention south into Africa. |
Medieval Art and the Bayeux Tapestry
Complete the reading below up through page 332, stopping at "Romanesque Architecture: Churches That Squat." Then begin watching the movie to the side about the Bayeux Tapestry (use headphones).