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Formal Analysis Prehistoric Art & Mesopotamian Art Review By AP Art History 2012. Age ? Physical, Stylistic or Documentary Evidence. Documentary. Style Personal, Regional, Period Style Stylistic. Subject Mater/Context Religious, Mythological, Landscape, Genre, Gender, Still Life.
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Formal AnalysisPrehistoric Art &Mesopotamian ArtReviewBy AP Art History 2012
Age ?Physical, Stylistic or Documentary Evidence Documentary
Subject Mater/ContextReligious, Mythological, Landscape, Genre, Gender, Still Life
Prehistoric: Paleolithic Cave Paintings Lascaux & AltamiraTwisted Perspective, Contour Lines & Silhouettes, Descriptive not Optical
Human Figure with Feline Head,HolhensteinStadel, Composite Creature, Carefully Incised with details
Neolithic Revolution!Controlled environment, herding & farming, established religion & law, created tools, pottery & writing system…(Sumerians 1st w/ cuneiform) i
Tower of Jericho & Jericho SkullsNeolithic Revolution1st Permanent Stone Fortification, Religious Significance
CatalHuyukLandscape with Volcanic Eruption1st LandscapeRectilinear Shaped
CatalHuyuk, Deer Hunt1st Pictorial Narrative, Large Organized Group, Individuals, Rhythmic Patterns
Stone HengeMegaliths, Post & Lintels, Religious/Funerary Significance
Ancient Near EastMesopotamia, Land between Two Rivers,Tigris & Euphrates,Fertile Crescent
Sumerians1st writing system (cuneiform), math system, wheel, irrigation, city-states, gigantic architecture 60+60=120
Ziggurats,White Temple,Temple of Ur,Temple of the godsMud Brick & BitumenBent AxisCella or Waiting room for gods
Statuettes of worshipers from the Square Temple at Eshnunna, Iraq 2700 BCE Gypsum inlaid with shell and black limestone, tallest 2’ 6“Votive Figures • Perpetual Prayer • Found under • Temple Floor • Head tilted, gaze up • Big eyes, little hands • Disproportionate • Simple Forms • Cone / Cylinder • Arms @ chest in prayer • Clothing
Victory Stele of Naram-SinStele commemorates the victory over the Lullubi people.The god-like Akkadian kings ruled with absolute authority. Storming the mountain, like scaling a ladder to the heavens (like building ziggurat towers)Organized and disciplined troops He’s a god on earth but also the humans' intermediary between them and the other gods The first time a King is represented as a god. He is wearing the horned helmet showing his god-like status and is carrying numerous weapons including spears and a bow.Composite view/ Hierarchal Scale
Law code of Hammurabi Stele from Susa, Iran, 1780 bce BASALT • Hammurabi is portrayed receiving the laws directly from Shamash the sun god(a parallel to Moses). • Shamash is the dominate figure: • seated on his throne • wears a crown composed of four pairs of horns • holds a ring and staff • has flames issuing from his shoulders Although Hammurabi is subservient to the god he still makes a powerful authority statement by addressing the god directly.
Lamassu(winged, human-headed bull) Citadel of Sargon II,Iraq720-705 BCE. Limestone, approx. 13' 10 highLamassu were depicted as hybrids, winged bulls or lions with the head of a human male The horned cap attests to their divinity, and the belt signifies their power.The sculptor gave these guardian figures five legs so that they appear to be standing firmly when viewed from the front but striding forward when seen from the side.Composite creature & man
Persepolis (royal audience hall or Apadana) Iran, 521–465 BCEDuilt by Darius I & XerxesVictory NarrativePropaganda