Egyptian art is primarily religious in nature. Ancient Greek art depicts naturalism. They portray human forms in a realistic and anatomically correct manner. Their art has a conservative form with a very complex detail. Roman art developed as a new source of artistic creativity much more progressive than the conservative Greek art, The diversity of its form and its variety inspired the modern attitude in art. Byzantine art was purposely made to glorify the Christian religion and to express its mystery. It is tilled with spiritual symbolism, illustrates a love tot splendor. It was a combination of Eastern (decorative art forms) and classical Western art (naturalistic art).
Romanesque art was characterized by its very vigorous style in painting and sculpture, lavishly decorated manuscripts, and retained many basic features of Roman architectural styles. It Vass also greatly influenced by Byzantine art with a highly innovative and coherent style. The basic characteristics of Gothic art styles reinforce symbolic meanings. The church symbolizes the transcendence of the soul, and the underlying philosophy is to create buildings of height and light Different eras different styles, different characteristics and functions of the arts occurred but all of those contributed in the development and establishing the importance of arts in our lives today.
Page 141 WHAT TO KNOW: In this lesson, you will learn about the different characteristics, functions and types of art forms (painting, sculpture, architecture) from PreHistoric (including ancient Egyptian art forms), Classical(Greek and Roman) up to Medieval era (Baroque and Romanesque art forms. ) Try to analyze chart form and discover how they develop in every period. PREHISTORIC ERA Pre-historic includes all human existence before the emergence of writing. Their art is of interest not only to the art historians but also to archeologist and anthropologist, for whom the art is only one clue- along with fossils, pollens and other finds to an understanding of early human life and culture.
Paintings from the Pre-historic Era Their paintings were found inside the caves which may have been their bay f communicating with each other. It may also be for religious or ceremonial purposes. These paintings may be more an artifact of the archeological evidence than a true picture Of humans’ first created earl Prehistoric drawings of animals were usually correct in proportion. Image from Treasures of the World, 1961 ICP Library Cave of Lascar, 15000-10000 B. C. – Stone Age The dominant features in the painting were large animals native in the region. It was discovered on 12 September 1940 and given statutory historic monument protection. The painting has nearly 2,000 figures composed mainly of animals, unman figures and abstract design.
Some sections have been Western Classical Page 142 Unit I identified inside the cave such as: The Great Hall of the Bulls, The Lateral Passage, Thatches of the Dead man, The Chamber of Engravings, The Painted Gallery, and the Chamber of Felines Paintings from Ancient Pet The purpose Of Egyptian paintings is to make the deceased afterlife place pleasant. With this in mind, themes include journey to the underworld introducing the deceased to the gods Of the underworld their protective deities. It emphasizes the importance Of life after death and the preservation Of the knowledge of the past. Most paintings were highly stylizes, symbolic, and shows profile view of an animal or a person. The main colors used were red, black, blue , gold and green taken derived from mineral pigments that can withstand strong sunlight without fading.
Paintings from Sarcophagus of Tutankhamen XVIII dynasty, 1362 AD. – 1253 BC (Images trot Treasures tot the World, 1961 ICP Library) Page 143 The paintings Of the walls on the tomb shows events Of the life Of the king While he was still on earth and the scenes he expects to encounter in the underworld after his death. Paintings from Classical Greek Era Paintings during the classical era were most commonly found in vases, panels and tomb. It depicts natural figures with dynamic compositions. Most of the subjects were battle scenes, mythological figures, and everyday scenes reveals a grasp of linear perspective and naturalist representation. Most common methods of Greek painting: 1.
Fresco- method of painting water-based pigments on a freshly applied plaster usually on a wall surfaces, Colors are made with grind powder pigments in pure water, dry and set with a plaster to become a permanent part tot the wall. Ideal for murals, durable and has a matte style. . Encrusting- developed to use by Greek ship builders, who used the hot wax to fill the cracks of the ship. Soon pigments (colors) was added and used to paint a wax hull. Page 144 Judgment of Paris (370-BIBB c. ) (Image from Treasures of the World, 1961 ICP Library) Vase painting Checker Style also referred to as Checker Vases are red-figured pottery named after the place where it was found, Shapes commonly found are: 1. Apelike (wine container) 2. Alkalis (a low bowl with two horizontal handles and a low broad toot) 3. Lobes gamines (with high handles and lid use to carry bridal bath) 4. Rater (bowl use or mixing wine and water) Most common motifs were mostly scenes from the life of women (often exaggeratedly idyllic), mythological benefiting were popular among the people of the black sea, or a scene form mythical story or event. Alt used a technique Page 145 called polychrome, combination of different colors specially the brilliant one in an artistic manner. Panel Painting There are paintings on flat panels of wood. It can be either a small, single piece or several pensioned together, Most of the panel paintings no longer exist because of its organic composition. The earliest Novak panel painting is the: Pitas panel (Archaic Period between 540 and 530 B. C,E,) Tomb / Wall Painting Tomb or wall painting was very popular during the classical period. It uses the method frescos either tempera (water-base) or encrusting (wax).
It has a sharp, flatly outlined style of painting and because it uses water-based materials, very few samples survived. Page 146 Tomb of the Diver, Pasture 480 BCC Image from Treasures of the World, 1961 ICP Library The image wastepaper using a true fresco technique with a limestone mortar. It depicts a symposium scene on the wall. In tomb paintings, artists rely on the shade and hues of paint to create depth ND life-like feeling- Paintings from the Romantic Era Most of the paintings in this era were copied or imitated from Hellenic Greek paintings. Fresco technique avgas used in brightly colored backgrounds; division of the wall into a multiple rectangular areas (tic-tact-toe design); multiplying perspective; and a trope-l’-oil effect.
