MODULE 7: Neolithic farmers who started civilization.

Man
PREHISTORIC ART became civilized when he stopped being
AND EARLY EGYPTIAN nomadic and settled down and created
ART communities that grew crops and tamed wild
animals. The designs used on clay pots were
GEC 006 | CE22S4
commonly derived from plant and animals
Prehistoric Art forms (Caslib et al., 2018).

As a term that refers to Stone Age,

Paleolithic and Neolithic art and artifacts,
literally referring to the time before recorded Stone Age
history. As the first building blocks of art history, - They used stones for a living
prehistoric artifacts provide crucial insights into - They have artworks in their caves
the origin of image- and craft-making; they take - They used feeds and ground pigments
the form of tools and small objects, as well as a for painting/ coloring their arts
select few architectural ruins. Art from this Paleolithic
period was a powerful form of communicating - Hunter-gatherers; longest phase in
information between tribes and generations; for human history; hardest time; 27 years
instance, the Lascaux caves in Southern average life span
France demonstrate hunting techniques - Painting is used to communicate among
through the use of basic narrative structure and hunters or SHAMAN (spiritual leader)
iconography dating back to 15,000 B.C. (Refer - Houses are made of animal bones or
to Cave Art 101). Another iconic Prehistoric caves depending on geographical
artwork is the Venus of Willendorf (est. 24,000- location.
22,000 B.C.) a bulbous, palm-sized figurine of a Mesolithic
woman, thought to be a symbol of fertility and - Beheading of dead - paint it; symbolizes
also the earliest surviving depiction of the their religious belief
female nude. The representation may show the Neolithic
importance of taking care of these body parts - They can move places/ build homes to
for procreation and consequently the survival of be more comfortable
species. - Farming -- preserve food
Venus of Willendorf
By 4000 BCE, there were several - 11.1 cm tall, made 30 years ago, made
monumental and architectural structures of Oolitic Limestone, fertility figure, good
erected. One of them is Stonehenge (Refer to luck totem.
as Stonehenge Monument) located in Southern Stone Henge
England. The purpose of this fascinating edifice - World's most famous prehistoric
remains a mystery up to this day and age. monument
Some regard it as a temple while others see it - Created by Merlin (according to
as a complex calendar that tracked the FOLKLORE) who magically transported
movements of both the sun and the moon. the massive stones from Ireland when
Others ascribe some magical element to it by giants assembled them.
associating Stonehenge with Merlin the
Magician from King Arthur’s story. For whatever
purpose it was built, it still remains one of the
architectural wonders the world has ever seen.
Neolithic art reflected the great shift in living
conditions. The naturalistic art style of the Ancient Egypt
hunter gatherer of the Paleolithic had been
replaced by geometrically abstract art of
 "As the Neolithic Period drew to a close, also known as the Great Hierakonpolis
it was evident that different elements of Palette or the Palette of Narmer, is a significant
civilization flourished in various parts of the Egyptian archaeological find, dating from about
world" (Caslib et al, 2018, p. 109). the 31st century BC, belonging, at least
nominally, to the category of cosmetic palettes.
Egyptian Art It contains some of the earliest hieroglyphic
inscriptions ever found.
Art is an essential aspect of any
civilization. Once the basic human needs have Why was the palette of Narmer created?
been taken care of such as food, shelter, some Narmer was the first king of the First
form of community law, and a religious belief, Dynasty of Egypt and the Narmer Palette was
cultures begin producing artwork, and often all most likely created to celebrate his military
of these developments occur more or less victories over Lower Egypt. Narmer, then, was
simultaneously. This process began in the Pre- the first king of the First Dynasty of Egypt and
dynastic Period in Egypt (c. 6000 - c. 3150 the Narmer Palette was most likely created to
BCE) through images of animals, human celebrate his military victories over Lower Egypt
beings, and supernatural figures inscribed on
rock walls. These early images were crude in What does the palette of Narmer represent?
comparison to later developments but still This object depicts the unification of
expressed an important value of Egyptian Upper and Lower Egypt into the "Kingdom of
cultural consciousness: balance. Egyptian the Two Lands" under the divine king. This
society was based on the concept of harmony object is a ceremonial palette used in the ritual
known as ma'at which had come into being at of mixing and applying the King's eye makeup.
the dawn of creation and sustained the
universe. All Egyptian art is based on perfect OLD KINGDOM- NARMER PYRAMIDS
balance because it reflects the ideal world of
the gods. The same way these gods provided PERMANENCE- MUMMIFYING; THEY GIVE
all good gifts for humanity, so the artwork was PROPER BURIAL TO THEIR DEADS
imagined and created to provide a use. RELIGIOUS / SPIRITUAL
Egyptian art was always first and foremost
functional. No matter how beautifully a statue MIDDLE KINGDOM- POLITICAL
may have been crafted, its purpose was to SCULPTURES AND FRESCO PAINTINGS
serve as a home for a spirit or a god. An amulet
would have been designed to be attractive but Fresco painting
aesthetic beauty was not the driving force in its
creation, protection was. Tomb paintings, Fresco is a mural painting technique
temple tableaus, home and palace gardens all that involves painting with water-based paint
were created so that their form suited an directly onto wet plaster so that the paint
important function and, in many cases, this becomes an integral part of the plaster.
function was a reminder of the eternal nature of
life and the value of personal and communal What are the characteristics of fresco painting?
stability. Lifted from the Italian word 'fresco'
('fresh'), the term refers to wall paintings
generally made on wet plaster so that the
colored pigment is absorbed into the surface of
the wall, resulting in brilliant, vibrant colors.

Narmer Palette NEW KINGDOM - SCULPTURES AND

MONUMENTS ( TOMBS)
 black colored wax. The second eye-inlay was
2 Rulers never completed. The bust was discovered by
German archaeologists in 1912 when they
1. King Tutankhamun was nicknamed the Boy excavated Thutmose’s workshop in Egypt.
King because he began his reign when he was
only nine years old! Nefertiti Bust
Title: Nefertiti Bust
Tutankhamun died when he was only Date: 1345 BCE
18, and his body was mummified, which is how Material: Limestone and stucco
the ancient Egyptians preserved their dead. His Dimensions: H: 48 cm (19 in)
golden coffin was buried in a tomb in the Valley Discovered: 1912: Amarna, Egypt
Of The Kings, surrounded by 5,000 priceless Museums: Neues Museum, Berlin
treasures. Along with a golden burial mask,
King Tut’s sandals were also found in the tomb. MODULE 8: ANCIENT
These had paintings of his enemies on the GREECE AND ANCIENT
soles – so everywhere the king went, he ROME
trampled all over his foes. GEC 006 | CE22S4
Ancient Greece
2. “Nefertiti Bust” represents the Great Royal
- They believe in ideologies
Wife of the Egyptian Pharaoh Akhenaten and
● poetry
Egypt’s Queen during 1370 B.C. – 1330 B.C.
● drama
● philosophy
The statue is renowned for the skill of the
- They trained their minds to live accordingly
sculptor Thutmose, the well-preserved coloring,
and the beauty of Nefertiti herself.
4 periods:
● Geometric period- geometric shapes;
The bust is a painted stucco-coated limestone
patterns
work, believed to have been crafted in 1345
● Archaic period- human figures
B.C. by the sculptor Thutmose, because it was
● Classical period- Sculpture and
found in his workshop in Amarna, Egypt. It is
architecture emerged
one of the most copied works of ancient Egypt.
● Hellenistic Period- Emotions and reality
As a result, Nefertiti has become one of the
most famous women of the ancient world and
Ancient Rome
an icon of feminine beauty.
- Master builders
The name Nefertiti means “the beautiful one - Fusion between Greek and Roman Arts
has cometh forth.” As the Great Royal Wife, she Example: Colosseum sculptures of
was the chief consort of the Egyptian Pharaoh Gods and goddesses
Akhenaten of the Eighteenth dynasty of Egypt.
MODULE 9: MEDIEVAL
Akhenaten initiated a new monotheistic form of
TO MODERN
worship called Atenism dedicated to the Sun EUROPEAN ART
disc Aten. He was the first Pharaoh to adopt GEC 006 | CE22S4
monotheism; however, it did not survive as the
state religion after his death. Medieval Period

The bust is made of limestone, which is

The medieval period of art history spans
covered with modeled gypsum. The eye is
from the fall of the Roman Empire in 300 AD to
inlaid with crystal, and the pupil is attached with
the beginning of the Renaissance in 1400 AD.
In the Middle Ages, art evolves as humans traditions, Renaissance art sought to capture
continue addressing the traditional and the new, the experience of the individual and the beauty
including Biblical subjects, Christian dogma, and mystery of the natural world.
and Classical mythology. This lesson
introduces a few concepts from three periods—
Early Christian, Romanesque, and Gothic. Timeline:
❖ C200 - 500 CE - Early Christian
During the Early Middle Ages, the Catholic ➢ Murals, fresco paintings,
Church financed many projects, and the oldest illuminated manuscripts, and
examples of Christian art survived in the mosaics.
Roman catacombs, or burial crypts beneath the ❖ C300 - 900 CE - Migration
city. By 350 AD, the Church had two power ➢ wearable/ animal figures
centers, Rome in the West and Constantinople ❖ C330 - 1453 CE - Byzantine
(the capital of the Byzantine Empire) in the ➢ Serious, marriage, society, and
East. Medieval artists decorated churches and religion
work for public appreciation using classical ❖ C1000 - 1150 CE - Romanesque
themes. For example, Roman mosaics made of ➢ Massive, thick-wall, round arch,
small stone cubes called tesserae offered sturdy pier, and large tower
Christian scenery. In about 350 AD, Rome’s ❖ C1135 - 1300 CE - Gothic
Santa Costanza, a mausoleum built for ➢ Pointed, human figures, and
Constantine’s daughter, included a vault facial expression
decorated with mosaics. Nearby, in Santa Maria
Maggiore, the mosaic called Melchizedek Kinds of Arts
Offering Bread and Wine to Abraham was ❖ Murals, fresco paintings, illuminated
constructed 80 years later. Early Christian manuscripts, mosaics, stained glass,
mosaics used muted colors like classical metal works, and tapestries
mosaics, but in the fourth century, mosaicists
moved to brighter colors and patterns. Characteristics
❖ Biblical tales/ classical times
Renaissance Period
Focus
Renaissance, the period immediately ❖ Religion
following the Middle Ages in Europe saw a
great revival of interest in the classical learning Influenced
and values of ancient Greece and Rome. ❖ Christianity
Against a backdrop of political stability and
growing prosperity, the development of new Medieval Painting Style
technologies–including the printing press, a ❖ Gothic
new system of astronomy, and the discovery
and exploration of new continents–was Paint
accompanied by a flowering of philosophy, ❖ red ochre, yellow ochre, umber, lime
literature, and especially art. The style of white
painting, sculpture, and decorative arts Why Medieval Art is important?
identified with the Renaissance emerged in Italy - Beliefs
in the late 14th century; it reached its zenith in - Expresses – Idealistic expression and
the late 15th and early 16th centuries, in the interest in Christianity and faith.
work of Italian masters such as Leonardo da
Vinci, Michelangelo, and Raphael. In addition to
its expression of classical Greco-Roman Baroque
 word baroque describes something that is
According to Merriam-Webster’s elaborate and highly detailed.
dictionary, the etymology of the term, Baroque,
is from Middle French baroque or Portuguese Factors (Most important)
barroco. Both mean irregularly shaped pearls. ❖ Reformation | Counter-Reformation
Spanning from 1600 to 1750, the Baroque (Protestant Reformation)
period originated in Rome, Italy, which was a ❖ Reformation is the religious movement
response to Protestantism. Even though it initiated by Martin Luther in the 16th
followed the Renaissance, Baroque artists century to reform the Roman Catholic
developed their style and techniques. Baroque Church.
artists applied colorful palettes and
ornamentation in their works. Moreover, Development
expansion became an important theme that ❖ Catholic Church
was clearly shown in their artworks. Other
considerations by the artists during this era Popularity
were motion and space. These were achieved ❖ Catholic Church
using dramatic lighting and the concept of time ❖ Religious themes/response to
(Caslib et al., 2018). Protestant Reformation

Apart from art, music also thrived Painters

because “people believed that music could ❖ Peter Paul Rubens
serve as a powerful tool to communicate ❖ Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio
messages that can evoke certain feelings (Caravaggio)
among its listeners. Baroque music was able to ❖ Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn
clearly distinguish loud from soft and solo from (Rembrandt)
ensemble” (p.120). Because of its birthplace,
most of the composers like Vivaldi, Corelli, and Late Baroque - Rococo
Monteverdi were Italians. In the long run,
Baroque influenced other European countries. Architecture
Hence, other composers from Germany such ❖ Bold spaces, domes, and large masses
as Bach and Handel became renowned.
Through their music which attempted to evoke Counter-Reformation
particular emotions from their listeners, ❖ Beginning of Catholic Revival – started
Baroque musicians composed more complex with the Council of Trent – One of the
compositions and performances. The only Roman Catholic Church’s most
setback to this kind of music was intended for important ecumenical meetings, held
powerful institutions like the Church and people between 1545 and 1563 in northern
such as the patrons. Nevertheless, these Italy; it was prompted by the Protestant
performances became accessible to the middle Reformation and has been described as
class and the masses in the end. the embodiment of the Counter-
Reformation.

Chiaroscuro
❖ The treatment of light and shade/
The Baroque is a period of artistic style that uneven
started around 1600 in Rome, Italy and spread
throughout the majority of Europe during the Music
17th and 18th centuries. In informal usage, the ❖ Long and flowing
Characteristics
❖ Dramatic, emotions (exaggerated),
spirituality, eye-catching, strong facial
expression, use light, brush stroke,
muscular figures.