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Mihrab, from Iran, Islamic Culture, 1354-1355 CE.

I chose this artwork because of it's beautiful shapes and colors. I was instantly struck by the deep blues that fill the work of art. The colors are created by the mosaic tiles that the artisans arranged precisely.The artisans that created this Mihrab (prayer niche) took great care in putting together a rhythmic feeling design that is very aesthetically pleasing. This particular Mihrab was re-built in the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Initially it was found in Iran, but was removed after being discovered after many years of burial. The work contains the main hallmarks of Islamic art: Organic shapes, geometric shapes, Arabic calligraphy. All of these elements come together to create an awe-inspiring work of art.

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Sword Guard (Tsuba), From Japan, 18th Century  

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During the 18th century, Japanese Samurais would carry swords into battle and they often featured a guard between the blade and handle to protect the user in combat. Many used simple circles, but some chose to decorate their swords, which is what this guard is. When I saw this artwork I was immediately hit by the contrast between black and gold. The guard is primarily created from a gold-copper alloy, with ornate gold, silver, and copper details. The right side of the guard features finely detailed peony flowers, while two butterflies dance across the left. The guard uses traditional Japanese artwork themes such as floral patterns, water patterns, and traditional writing. It is incredible to see the amount of fine details, especially considering that the guard is less than three inches in both width and length! It was originally created by a soldier named Omori Hidenaga as part of a traditional samurai weapon, but it was unknown who owned it after him. It later found its way into the hands of a collector, who donated it the MET museum in 2004. The incredible detail, fine metal work, and miniscule scale of this artwork make it truly amazing.

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Portrait of a Prince (Possibly Mohammad Mirza)ca. 1820

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I chose this art work because of the many details in the painting. It was a painting of a young prince most likely put up in the interior of a palace. This art work caught my eye because of the attention to detail on the clothes, colors, background, and features of the prince himself. There are many different colors and designs in this one painting. Even the flower vase in the back and the curtains in the back have their own designs. The painting is very detailed, colorful, and overall an amazing piece of art.

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Mother-and-Child Figure (Bwanga bwa Chibola) 1850–1899  

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I chose this sculpture because of the amazing meaning behind it. This artwork belongs to the culture of Luluwa in the republic of the Congo Central Africa. Called Mother and Child Figure or Bwanga bwa Chibola made between the years of 1850-1899. It celebrates human fertility with a mother holding her newborn child. It's believed the Luluwa society call upon this figure to boost fertility, protect pregnant women and their newborns, as well as preventing infant mortality. The hairstyle, jewelry, patterns, and details expressed the Luluwa concept of bwimpe, which unites beauty and goodness. The long neck and muscular limbs express positive aesthetic values. The large head are indicators of beauty symbolizing willpower and intelligence. As well as the strong calves of the figure suggesting a capacity of hard work. I love how this figure represents how strong women are and is a sign of protection for the pregnant women of their culture.
-Melanie Zermeno

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The Concourse of the Birds, Habiballah of Sava,  ca. 1600

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This painting caught my eye because of how detailed it is. As I was reading the description I realized that it is supposed to be showing a scene from a poem. Which is written by a twelfth-century Iranian, Farid al-Din 'Attar. Each animal in the painting is symbolizing something. For example, the birds symbolize individual souls in search of the simurgh (a mystical bird representing ultimate spiritual unity). I find it really interesting how all the other birds face the Hoopoe bird.  It is understood that the Hoopoe bird is the leader figure, as he is the center of attention.  The birds that are in this painting were meant to symbolize individual souls, each represents a human fault. The Hoopoe believes that a king could solve all the problems in the world, so he leads the other creatures through the seven valleys to the Simorgh. It is believed that there could be two depictions of stories in this painting, which are " Farid al-Din’s story" and "Peter Sis’ story". I find it so interesting and a painting could have such a story behind it. No one would have noticed how the Hoopoe bird is the center of attention of the event happening in the painting. Paintings are an excellent way to portray stories. Especially done in such great detail the ducks, the peacock, every animal is defined by every brush stroke the artist made.

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Koto, origin Japan. Early 17th century. Artist Unknown.

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I chose this koto from the MET art gallery. I found it interesting because it's not only a beautiful, historic piece of artwork, but it's actually a musical instrument. It was added to the "Art of Music: Time" exhibit, along with 5,500 other instruments. This koto is made from various different materials, including multiple types of wood, ivory, tortoiseshell, gold, silver, cloth, paper, and lacquer.  These piece is very well put together, with so many small details and exceptional craftsmanship. I also like the way the red and orange accents the dark body of the case. I love how artwork doesn't need to just be a painting or a sculpture, but can also be objects, like this musical instrument. This piece is also very well preserved, so it's clear that the owners cherished it and took good care of it throughout the centuries. This piece shows how Japanese cultures cared for their work and also enjoyed creative activities, like playing music. I'm intrigued to know how this instrument would sound and how ancient Japanese cultures played it. The instrument itself is actually large and is played by plucking it with their fingers, and is still used today.

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Ceremonial Helmet, China, Qing dynasty (1644–1911).

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This helmet from the Chinese Qing dynasty was made during the 1600s. It was used for the Imperial court and by The Emperors at the time. This particular helmet was made for important ceremonies. It is well decorated with gold engravings on the top of the helm. There are Sanskrit characters written in gold, suggesting great importance on the wearer of the helmet. I chose this piece because I found the detail of the helmet fascinating. The fine amount of detail on each part of the helmet is very beautifully done. An interesting part of the helmet is that it looks fancy and ornamental, but is also created with similar protection as the helmets worn into battle. Perhaps the wearer was proud of their military success and wished for a helmet deserving of their pride. Perhaps a general or the emperor himself wore this into battle.

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This is the Damascus Room. I chose it because of its elaborate detail in decoration. What struck me most was the geometric designs on the floor. Also, the color lines that borders the tile squares seem to offer a nice  aesthetic transition from the floor to the wooden panel walls so as to not conflict too much but just enough to create interest.  Another thing I will add to that is the golden decoration on the big center tile on the lower level matches beautifully with the golden inlays and lettering in the walls as well as some of the items on the shelf. It is a work of excellent craftsmanship and design. These type of rooms would be found in homes during the Ottoman-period in Damascus, Syria and would function as decorative reception rooms filled with design and fashion to match current trends of that time. Ornate rooms like this infer status and wealth to families who construct these works of art. Also, the lettering inlayed at the top of the lower-level wall is Muslim poetry which we learned from the "Empire of Faith" video to be greatly appreciated and of vast significance in Muslim culture. This particular Damascus room was a gift of the Hagop Kevorkian Fund, 1970.

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Moai ancestor figures, Ahu Nau Nau, Easter Island (Chile), Polynesia, before the 15th century 

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For this topic, I chose the sculptures on Easter Island. The early Rapa Nui people created these sculptures to honor chiefs and other important ancestors. The Easter Island sculptures consist of both heads and heads with torsos ranging from ten to sixty feet tall. The sculptures were “carved out of volcanic rock and scattered around the island” and number in the thousands (DeWitte et al. 456). Some of the sculptures have hats of different colored rocks that mark them as “ancestor chiefs and thus providing a connection between the present and the past, the natural and the cosmic realms” (DeWitte 457). To simplify, the people of the island believed that their ancestors became deities. I think the Easter Island sculptures are a really cool way to connect the present to the past. In my opinion, these sculptures are also an example of Community Art (which was a topic I really enjoyed) since they had to have been created by a group of people for a group of people. These statues kind of remind me of Stonehenge and the mystery behind it. How did the people of the island move the statues around? Was there another purpose for the statues? Is there another legend/story that historians have missed that explains the statues? I really like theorizing about art so I enjoyed reading about this one.

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Dragon and Clouds, Sadiqui Beg, from Islamic Culture, Ca.1600 

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I choose this art because I love how calligraphy looks. Calligraphy is the art of producing beautiful handwriting. The beautiful tones of gold colors got my attention immediately. The medium is ink and water color on paper. In this drawing a dragon strides across a landscape and twists its head toward the cloud-swept sky. A leafy tree with lightly tinted rectangle leaves rises to the right behind the dragon. The lines in this image relies on the artist's varying the pressure on his reed pen. The style of draftmanship, marked by lines of variable thickness, develop in Iran in the 1590s by Riza-Yi" Abbasi.

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I chose this painting because I found it very beautiful. It is by the famous artist Mahmoud Said who was the central figure in modern Egyptian Art. It was the second most expensive Arab painting labeled 'The Whirling Dervishes'. I love how beautifully and peacefully they are performing the Sufi dance. I have always had a dream to travel to Turkey and watch a live performance because I think that is where it came from.

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Hawaiian figure, Kona style, representing the god of war, Ku Ka’ili Moku, circa 1780-1820

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I choose this art because I find the complex detail of Oceanic art so fascinating. I think it’s really interesting that a large proportion of Oceanic art is made from materials found from the islands and carved out by hand. The statue is of a Hawaiian god, Ku the Hawaiian god of war. The statue was made out of breadfruit wood and the artist used a metal tool to carve it. This statue has the world record for the most expensive Oceanic art piece sold. What I really like about this piece is how the artist really focused on every detail and perfected every crease by hand. I like how the artist made the god appear strong and fearless by adding flexed muscles in the arms and legs. I also like how he appears frightening at the same time with his teeth showing with a fierce face. The head crest makes the god appear like a warrior which contributes to him looking very powerful. Overall, I feel the statue is a very beautiful and powerful piece.

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This ancient African Art piece is called Male head. It was created in the years of 550-50 BC. The mouth on this work atf ancient art here is slightly open. It might be hinting that the face has something to say to us. The face seems to be in the middle of conversation. The eyes and the eyebrows show that the figure is calm and collected. This work of ancient art stands out to me because of the style that the head is in. The shape and sharp shape-like features of the face really stick out to me. The way that he is also talking or trying to say something also adds to the story of this figure. This figure is really interesting to look at and analyze the more you look at it. - Carter Jackson

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Earflare, WarriorA.D. 390–450Moche (Loma Negra) 

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When viewing the pages of artwork, this one stuck to me. I saw a miniature man standing tall, which intrigued me to look into it more. I found out it is a high-status warrior. If you look closely, there is the bluish-greenish color of what looks like beads around the ear and something inside the ear. As I continued to read, I found out they were stones. Adding to that, the lower half of his headdress is an owl with wings. The warrior is holding a war club which symbolizes power. It was fascinating to read that the circular disk is an ear ornament usually worn by men. The gold color on the rim is authentic gold. The piece of artwork has so much meaning behind it, and it is lovely.

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The Night of Perpetual Day. Yang Yongliang. 2013

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I chose this painting by Yang Yongliang because I feel like it represents the suffering we go through. Yongliang is a Chinese painter and with Buddhism originating in Asia, I feel this painting could represent what the religion stands for.The painting has an ominous tone to it that comes from days going back to dark after a while. Buddhist believe that everybody suffers on Earth and the only time they reach "nirvana" is when they mediate. I like that the painting is literally called "The Night of Perpetual Day" because I feel the darkness symbolized the suffering. Because I don't practice that religion, I don't feel like my life is all suffering but seeing this painting and realizing that even perpetual days have a dark night, I connect more to the religion. I could see how I wouldn't feel right unless i was in "nirvana" or when the day turned to light again. I also like how even though it's night you still see the beauty of nature. It looks a little scary but it's still something you enjoy when looking at it.

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This art stood out to me because it is from the Quran. I am Muslim and this part of the Quran is read at least 5 times a day. This piece of art stands out to me because of the design. It has a circular design with Arabic calligraphy of the words of the part of the Quran. I like the contrast of the golden colored words against the bluish-grey background. I also like the emphasis of the middle being bigger than everything else on the screen.

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The Great Wave off Kanagawa, Around 1829-1833

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I chose the Great Wave off Kanagawa simply because I think it's a beautiful painting. The painting investigates the effect of western culture and the progression it had on traditional Japan. It gives a period stamp of the circumstance of Japan changing from its old way to its modern way of life. Otherwise called The Great Wave also called, The Wave, is a woodblock print by the Japanese ukiyo-e craftsman Hokusai. It was distributed at some point somewhere in the range of 1829 and 1833 in the late Edo time frame as the principal print in Hokusai's series Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji. Moreover, since it was created 184 years prior, Katsushika Hokusai's work, otherwise called the "Incomparable Wave," has been prepared as an image of tidal waves, yet tropical storms and plane collides with the ocean. One reason for the accomplishment of The Great Wave in Japan was that it was imprinted in a new and fascinating shading, obscure to Japan preceding this work. I also realized that the painting showed a lot of art elements in its design. Components of Design, for example, Pattern, Emphasis, and Proportion are obvious in fine art. The utilization of rehashing colors makes an example from dull to light. The wave is colossal to guarantee that it rules the arrangement expanding the feeling of approaching destruction.

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Hi everyone! For this weeks last discussion I choose an art work called The Lovers. It was created by an artist who name is Riza-yi 'Abbasi. This beautiful artwork was made in the A.H 1039/ A.D 1630. What I really love about this piece is the color scheme that the artist chose. The beige/gold in the background allows the beautiful fair skin color of the lovers and their outfits stand out and that is what really caught my attention. While doing research on this piece, I was able to find out that it was made of ink, watercolors, and gilding on paper. The artwork depicts a couple of lovers embracing each other in entwined. The relax attitude demonstrated a sensuality in the reign of Shah Safi. When you examining the painting, you see the man is behind the woman, and his hands are reaching inside of her clothing. There is a half empty bottle of wine by her feet and a plate with fruits on the ground. As I did further research, I found out that art historians believe the woman may be a prostitue and the man her customer. I found that very shocking, but prostitution was allowed during the Safavid Dynasty. None less I still thought the painting was beautiful and it was fun learning about it.

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The African art piece that I chose was the Seated Figure, by an unknown artist. It was discovered from archaeological site in the ancient city of Jennie-Jeno. It is believed to have been created sometime between the 13th and 16th century. It is a terra cotta figure of a seated man. He is hunched over with his legs crossed. To me, he looks like he is sleeping. He also has round raised spots on his back. It is believed that the artist was able to sculpt freely, as he had details of jewelry on him. I thought that this was a very interesting artifact. It amazed me that they could find something so old at a site. The sculpture was in very good shape.

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The Great Wave off Kanagawa, Hokusai from Japan, sometime between 1829 and 1833

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I chose this artwork because it has always caught my eye whenever I would see it. It has a great contrast in colors that cover the entire painting. The image depicts an enormous wave threatening three boats off the coast of Sagami Bay. It is hard to tell if it is a tsunami or a large rogue wave. The Great Wave off Kanagawa is known to be one of the most well known work of Japanese art in the world.

It is also pretty cool how this artwork was made. This artwork was made in Japanese woodblock printing. Meaning that it is taken to a block carver, who glues thin washi paper to a block of cherry wood and then carefully carves it away to form the lines of the image. After that they place the printing paper on each block consecutively and rubs the back with a hand tool known as a baren. It is likely that the original woodblocks printed around 5,000 copies.

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A dōtaku is a Japanese bell made from bronze that was traditionally very well decorated. It was used for around 400 years in Japan. It was used mostly for decorative purposed as well as in rituals, and according to folklore the bells were once used as an emergency bell during attacks. I like that its a simple concept as any bell or decoration can be, yet there is great detail flushed with pattern, odd shapes in it structure, and small images. Its interesting that the images of animals on the bell are there because they are natural predators to the pests that destroy harvest, which is why the bell is used in rituals praying for a good harvest season. The size of the bell is something that stands out to me because it stands as a great piece of art that would be eye catching in any setting, it also resembles the great ritualistic value during harvest prayers. I suspect that many of these bells have similar if not the same structure and designs because they are intended for a specific purpose, and i believe art will functional purpose is amazing because it covers a visual and conventional aspect.

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静岡県浜松市浜松市北区細江町中川悪ヶ谷出土_六区画袈裟襷紋銅鐸_(複製).JPG

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This painting says "Allahu Akbar" in Arabic which means (Allah is the greatest). As a Muslim myself we use this phrase in many different situations to express pride and joy. I chose this artwork because I personally love the meaning, and the colors used to paint this piece. The patterns and choice of color create a beautiful back ground and gives off a warm theme. The artist is unknown, but the painting was made in the year of 2020.

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This sculpture is simply called the "canoe" by Chief Chinasapitch created in 1961. However there is nothing simple about it, the canoe was essential to the way of live for the Asmat people. It was used for fishing and the only means of transportation. i chose this artwork because i myself fish and i found it very interesting how dependant people were of such structures years before. the length if the canoe is very interesting i can assume that it was made that long in order for multiple people to be able to fit at once. Another reason being that once food was caught it could be out inside to transport back home. It is also truly incredible how stabilising the canoe is made to be. When using the canoe one must stand on it to paddle through the water. What is truly amazing is the designs on the canoes itself. Does that were used for communal purposes were adorned with images of ancestors and headhunting symbols. Like i mentioned earlier the canoe is made to be almost 50 ft. and able to hold 20 people thats longer than a school bus! The detail, design and the usage of this structure is truly amazing.

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Ancestral Shrine, from Korea, 19th Century

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The artwork I chose is titled "Ancestor Shrine" and dates back to the 19th century. Although the artist is unknown, we know the painting was of the Joseon Dynasty. The Buddhist temple and shrine for their ancestor show that the religion of origin is Buddhism. Some believe that government workers would worship their rulers before this painting. What initially drew my attention was the vivid and rich primary colors used. However, after looking for it a while longer, I began to notice the details, such as the candles and food laid out for their ancestor's shrine. The artwork is eyecatching yet simplistic and beautiful, which I admire. I also enjoyed this painting because it reminded me of a part of my own culture. In Mexican culture, there is a traditional holiday called Dia de Muertos, which translates to Day of the Dead. During the Day of the Dead, families create altars for their ancestors, like the shrine shown in the painting. We also use bright colors and layout our ancestors' favorite foods to celebrate their lives.

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An image depicts only a section of the Koranic passages and Arabic decorations on this architectural tower in Delhi, India. Though Islamic commercial establishments have existed in India since the 700s. This trade post has India's first Indo-Islamic minaret. It was constructed by Delhi's early Islamic Sultans. Qutbu'd-Din Aibak was Delhi's first Islamic Sultan. The minaret is approximately 72.5 meters tall and built of brick. This makes it the highest minaret in the world, although it is less practical. The project took nearly a century to complete. In addition, various restorations have occurred as a result of natural catastrophes like as earthquakes and lightning strikes that have damaged the minaret. The minaret was constructed between late 1369 and early 1199 AD. The minaret is a religious symbol of Islam. For areas, Islam offered an uniting language, culture, and trading norms.

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A King Offers to Make Amends to a Bereaved Mother (1597-98)

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A King Offers to Make Amends to a Bereaved Mother (1597-98)

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I chose this artwork because of the figures in the center. I also liked the colors and the story that went along with it. The artist, Miskin, used folio from a Khamsa (Quintet) of Amir Khusrau Dihlavi for the painting. The title of the painting conveys what is going on in the piece. A king mistakes the boy for a bird and gives the mother a choice of slaying his head off or choose the pot of gold and the mother chooses the pot of gold. The painting consists of different inspirations. Some of the people on the side were are European inspiration. The rocks and are inspired by Persian. The main figures in the middle are of Mughal. Even though the stories made by Amir Khusrau Dihlavi  were from a different time, poems like his were a major influence to Islamic religion. Another reason why I like this painting is because I don’t see a lot of art where someone of royalty willingly give up their life for a mistake.

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Javier Perez Eşrefoğlu Mosque (Beyşehir, Turkey)

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Javier Perez Eşrefoğlu Mosque (Beyşehir, Turkey)

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What struck me about this piece of art is the way the red and teal blend and make a nice pattern. Islamic Art is known for its geometry and this piece doesn't disappoint. The different patterns of each shape inside the big looking tower are a joy to look at for hours. One of the things that fascinated me the most about Islamic Art is the way Arabic is written in it. Some letters are written on top of each other which makes it more difficult for a new Arabic learner to read. The Eşrefoğlu Mosque was built in the 13th century and is one of the few remaining wood-columned mosques. Wooden mosques were more common back in the day but fires put most. This is one of the few wooden mosques left and is the best reserved one. In addition to its magnificent painted capitals and ceilings, it has a fine mihrab made of tile mosaic. Islamic art has inspired many people into incorporating geometry into their art pieces.

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Portrait of a Lady (Post created by Marissa Lerma)

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Portrait of a Lady (Post created by Marissa Lerma)

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The following painting show above is called the Portrait of a Lady which was made in the mid 17th century. While the painter is unknown the medium used was oil on canvas. It is said to be a reflective piece of art that has embodied the cosmopolitan spirit of Isfahan. The religion of origin within the Isfahan Province, Iran was known to be Muslim, those who worship one. What I like about this piece is the decorative clothing that the woman is wearing as it is indicating that she may be Turkish or Persian. The innovative and creative use of color being shown because of the rich texture of gold and silver along with other vibrant colors is something that great about it. While both men and women in this province were seen to elegantly dressed, this work comes to give a better view of that to their audience. I also liked the shape of the portrait itself, indicating she both looked upon through a window and able to see out as well. Another interesting fact about this painting is that the city was known fairly well for its architecture. This goes back to the style presented in the art. The idea of of a temple or palace is slightly shown within the structure of the the woman is viewed in.

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Monday market, the Great Mosque in Djenne, existed around 800 and 1250 C.E. It became a universal and center of commerce and was held every week. I have chosen this artwork because it reminded me of my life back. Moreover, I also chose it because of its shapes, sizes, and a colorful multiethnic crowd of merchants and buyers. The three towers in this artwork represent the faithful praying in the Muslim region in Mali. Great Mosque has become the center of cultural life and religion of the country. This art is unusual mosque as instead of having a traditional mosque design with has a central dome flanked by semitones, it has ostrich eggs which symbolized the fertility and purity of people in Mali.

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Monday market, Great Mosque, Djenné, Mali, Africa ( 800-1200 C.E.)

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Ancestral shrine painting (Joseon) 19th century 

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I chose this painting by Joseon of the ancestral shrine. This was painted with ink and color on paper. I liked this painting because we can see the composition of the elements within the frame. There are a few similar versions of this painting with different significance. I liked the contrast of this one as it has more diversity. Every aristocratic home was expected to have a shrine. This was where they believed the spirts of the family's ancestors were housed and honored. For wealthy families they had a separate building in the family compound. In smaller homes it was a simple cabinet or even just painting. This is considered Korean art under Asian art.

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 Buddha from the Mogao Caves (replica of cave 45 in Dunhuang Museum),618–907 CE, Dunhuang, China

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Why I choose the image of Buddha because it catches my eyes. Buddha from the Mogao Caves (replica of cave 45 in Dunhuang Museum), 618–907 CE. It is in Dunhuang, China.  The Mogao Caves are the best known of Chinese Buddhist grottoes. The Silk Road is a huge trading system and the route of Buddhism that has been used in Asia and Europe for centuries to spread. The city more than 1,200 miles away, Dunhuang in northwest China marks the intersection of the two branches of the Silk Road. Grottoes were first carved by monks. In the fourth century AD and began to be used as Meditation place for weary travelers. A handprint of a painted Buddha tells us that he is preaching. When I saw him sitting dignified, I couldn't help feeling serious and admiring. I hope I can travel there in the future.

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Ceremonial Saddle Decorated with Peony Blossoms. China, Qing dynasty (1644–1911)

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I chose this artwork because it is a saddle that was used for ceremonies. Since it was very ornate, it can give us a good idea of how powerful figures lived during that time period. The peonies on the saddle represent the national flower, but they also had a deeper meaning. You can see through this saddle the different beliefs they had since they believed that a ceremonial saddle that had peonies on it would bring good luck and a good year. With this saddle, you can see how important this flower was in their culture and get a good idea of how peonies were a symbol of powerful people and reflected luxury. The saddle itself also provides a lot of insight into how important they viewed horse riding to be. Many high-ranking people thought it was necessary to have an elaborate saddle to showcase their skills. The red color of the saddle also shows the amount of expert craftsmanship that was necessary for making this piece. Since it was unprecedented, it also showed the influence, wealth, and strength of the emperor compared to others.

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Figure: Bird of Prophecy(Ahianmwen-oro), 16th-19th century, Nigeria; Court of Benin

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I chose this artwork because it was simple yet beautiful. The culture is from Edo peoples. The medium is brass, the classification is metal-sculpture and it is a piece under the arts of Africa. The details in this metal sculpture caught my attention because it shows the bird holding the piece in its beak. The way the feathers are detailed into layers shows the texture of the sculpture. The wings being spread apart symbolizes to me that the bird is getting ready to fly off, or it gives a position of certainty in completing its task.

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The Hungry Tigress, panel from the Tamamushi Shrine, Horyu-ji Temple, Nara, Asuka period, c. 650. Lacquer on wood. Horyu-ji Treasure House, Japan.

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This artwork caught my attention right away so I’d like to share it with everyone and let you know what I liked about it. It’s called The Hungry Tigress, and it is a rectangular painting located on one of the sides of a wooden shrine - the Tamamushi Shrine. In a single pictorial space, the unknown artist creates a narrative from top to bottom. It is considered a jakata tale (or a story from the life of Buddha before achieving Enlightenment). The story begins with Buddha taking off a piece of cloth on a cliff. Then you can see him mid-air after jumping off the mountain; and finally, he lies at the the bottom, where a tigress and her cubs devour him. The whole story represents the act of selfless compassion of Buddha, since he offered himself to starving beings in despair. While I believe it is quite shocking and brutal, I can also find it interesting because of the elements of storytelling: it is a three-act narrative put just in a two-dimensional surface and it has meaning behind it. I appreciate it because it creates human and spiritual connection with a blend emotion and tragedy.

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Enameled and Gilded Bottle-13th century-Islamic

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I chose this artwork because of how detailed and colorful it is. If you look at the middle of the bottle, you can see a fight going on. The scene is colorful with horsemen carrying shields, bows, and other weapons. On the top half of the bottle, the artists added hint of different dots that looks glitter. It makes the bottle not look plain. On the top middle, you can see a blue circle. I think the detail looks interesting and cool. The colors goes well with one another and nothing seems out of place. I don't like anything too poppy. Overall, every color and details goes perfectly with one another in my eyes.

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1930-50

Artist:

Senufo
Côte d’Ivoire
Northern Africa and the Sahel

This drum representing a woman of rank balancing a load on her head celebrates women’s prominence in Senufo society, where they act as family founders and spiritual mediators and guardians. It is embellished with designs that allude to the knowledge and power of diviners. This particular drum may have been played by a woman during commemorative funerals for members of the influential all-female associations known as Sandogo and Tyekpa.

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This is the art work that I chose to talk about. It's a painting of a lady in a Turkish costume. What caught my eye was the attention to detail in this painting. My favorite part of this lady's costume is the see-through fabric. I also really like the colors used, the gold belt gives the red dress a nice look to it. Something else I like is that there isn't a lot going on in the background so you can really pay attention to the woman. I can tell she had a bit of makeup done, I also notice that she has a pinky ring. These are little things that I probably wouldn't have noticed if there were more things in the back. There's even small red jewels on her belt. The tights she's wearing also have a lot of detail. They have flowers and swirls and small pops of color like blue, yellow, green and pink.

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I picked this artwork because it reminded me of what to be a warrior. The lion like hair or grass that hangs down makes it look terrifying and captivating to the eye. The masks, known as kpeliye'e, feature delicate oval faces with geometric projections at the sides. Raised and incised scarification patterns ornament their smooth, glossy surfaces. Though there is not much history on the piece it was created in mid 19th and 20th century. It was actually used in rituals and dances for the public and their people. Considered feminine, the masks honor deceased Senufo elders with their grace and beauty. Its crazy to believe something I thought to be terrifying today was beautiful in another time. Although I did happen to find the feathers and animal horns attached to this example are unusual, and may have reflected its owner's power to counteract negative forces in the community. Information on the colors and pieces were never found but I loved how interesting the colors reflected the sandy areas of Africa.

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Painting from a Ceremonial House Ceiling
1970

Abwiyeti, Wanyi

I chose this artwork because it shows distinctive patterns and shapes used by the artist. As well as the many steps it goes through in order to create this kind of paintings. This was inspired by the Kwoma a small group of people living in the north hills of the Sepik river in the northeast New Ginea. This artwork are made on sheets of bark or sago palm trees. This painting goes through many process it is trimmed and flatten creating a rectangular shape. The artist continues by covering the smooth sides of the sheet with wash of black clay. It is then outlined, colored and have designs representing specific animals, objects or anything associated with the village of the artist. The paintings have abstract and each have specific type of designs. I as well find it amazed how when it is completed it the painting is tied to the rafters of the ceiling arrange in a specific way. I find this interesting on how people do their own kind of ceremonial rituals using art. This piece or artwork is one over 270 original paintings created by kwoma artistsin the village of Mariwai 1970-73

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Pierced Window Screen, from India, Islamic art, Circa 1580

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This is a pierced window screen, also called Jali. It is made of a single slab of sandstone which was drilled through to create this intricate interlocking design. This artwork showcases one of the themes of Islamic art which is geometric decoration. These screens were used as windows, railings or room dividers. Light filtering through this screen would have cast a lovely pattern on the floor, creating a playful effect of light and shadow. I picked this artwork because of its really beautiful intricate design which reminds me of henna ink designs, that are drawn to decorate women's bodies on special occasions such as weddings. The henna designs also originated from ancient India.

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Pierced window Screen, from India, Islamic Culture. Circa 1580.

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This artwork is a pierced screen, also called Jali. It is made of a single slab of sandstone which id drilled through to create this beautifully intricate interlocking design. These pierced screens are used as windows, railings or room dividers and they showcase one of the themes of Islamic art which is geometric decoration. Light filtering through the screen would have cast a beautiful pattern on the floor, creating a playful effect of light and shadow. I picked this artwork because of its beautiful and intricate interlocking pattern, which reminds me of the henna ink designs that are drawn of women's bodies on special occasions such as weddings in the Islamic culture.

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Pierced Window Screen, from India, Islamic culture, Circa 1580

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This artwork is a pierced window screen, also called Jali. It is made of a single sandstone which was drilled through to create this beautiful, interlocking design. Pierced screens such as this were used as windows, railings or room dividers and showcased one of the themes of Islamic art which is geometric decoration. I selected this artwork because of the beautiful, intricate design. Light filtering through this screen would have cast an intricate pattern on the floor, creating a playful effect of light and shadow. It reminds me also of the henna ink design that is used to decorate women's bodies on special occasions such as weddings, in the Islamic culture.

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Title: Kneeling female figure with bowl and child Date Created: late 19th or early 20th century Artist: Unknown   Culture: Kongo peoples, Yombe group 

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I chose this because it dives into African culture in one sculpture.
According to Google Arts & Culture, "This kneeling female figure and child (pfemba) represents an important woman. She has a high, miterlike coiffure or headdress and wears five bracelets, which exceed the number worn by ordinary Yombe women, on her left wrist. Her filed teeth, visible through parted lips, indicate she was properly initiated into womanhood, and the painted marks may represent scarification. The white kaolin covering her body has the ashen quality of the dead, but it also refers to purity and moral correctness, both important Yombe values. She probably represents a clan founder" (Google Arts & Culture). Initially, when I saw this, it was apparent that it was a mother and her child because, from my experience, the mother is usually seen as the guardian angel of sorts for her child. There are countless songs in African culture that explain the mother's importance and divinity when raising children. Even in our modern culture, more money is spent on mothers day than fathers day because most people love and cherish their warm, protecting mothers. Like in art, the mother was the largest to symbolize her importance, but I also saw it as her almost overtaking the child to keep it from harm's way. Cause the child and mother were both looking up as if they saw something or someone, and the child looks guarded, and the mother is almost reassuring the child it's going to be okay. The analysis by Google Arts & Culture mentions, "Taken together, the attributes of this figure-its coloring, posture, and gesture-and the presence of the child and the medicine indicate this woman's contribution was that of a "spiritually imbued mother," who was a great healer and protector of children" (Google Arts & Culture). This aligns with my views that the mother has great significance in African and modern cultures. When they have a problem, most people feel upset and go to their mothers for advice or comfort.

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Cherry and Maple Trees, Sakai Hōitsu, Japanese culture, early 1820's. 

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I chose this art work because I love cherry blossoms and Japanese style art. I think this tree was very beautifully done. I also really enjoy how minimal background is but it still makes a statement of how pretty simple nature is. The background is simple, yet decorative and abstract. I also enjoy how unique each small element is. This also depicts Spring time, which is my favorite time of the year. Spring is known for blossoming and refreshing new beginnings, which I feel is signified in this painting. This painting also represents appreciating our world's natural beauty. I think this shows how nature can be so inspiring and how much it influences art. Nature not only inspires paintings, but music, poems, sculptures, dance, and more. This painting is a small reminder to take a breath of fresh air and enjoy what our beautiful planet has to offer.

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Rafter Finial in the Shape of a Dragon's Head and Wind Chime, 10th Century 

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I chose this artwork because of how ancient this art piece looks. I've always liked and admired how sculptured dragons tend to look, and that was another reason for my selection for this sculpture. I've always loved how detailed people tend to make dragons in their artwork. From the horns to the eyes and every little detail about it just never fails to captivate my attention. I really like this art piece because of all the detailing that was put into it making everything look so well put together. This art piece is said to, originally have been attached to a corner rafter of a royal hall or a Buddhist temple building. But it's first known origin was in London Gallery in Tokyo, Japan. It was in Japan until 1999, when it was sold to The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. In Asian tradition the dragon is considered as a symbol of protection and fierceness, and I see that being demonstrated in this sculpture. I see it representing fierceness anywhere from his bulging eyes to his elaborated scales and horns. Overall, this art piece is very detailed and in my opinion a work of art.

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Rafter Final in the shape of, Asian Culture, 918-1392

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I chose this artwork because of it's beautiful color and detail. I was struck with aweness of the metal in this piece in fact its one of the finest metal works of Goryeo period. This piece is well known in the Korean art and culture its considered as the protector of humans as well as warding off evil spirits. It is made of gilt bronze. It was originally supposed to be hung after a royal hall. I love multiple arts of Asia but this one stuck with me the most its very different from the rest. This one is not a statue but a beautiful beast with bulging eye's and flaring nostrils which puts out fierceness.

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Under the Wave off Kanagawa, about 1830–31, Katsushika Hokusai. Woodblock print 

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I chose this artwork because the level of detail it shows emotion through the waves almost seem to come out at you, it was created by Katsushika Hokusai his medium was by carving a relief image onto a woodblock. Which is quite amazing of just how detail these prints were. The ocean waves are quite unpredictable. One minute they are there and the next minute they are gone, and we only experience them in the process of disappearing. Hokusai had an uncanny ability to capture waves in all their diversity. Hokusai made many kinds of works of art that contains waves but this one is my favorite and it the most recognized works of art from Japan. In many Japanese artwork Mt Fuji, is the most beautiful and most admired mountain in Japan, it is a popular subject. it usually appears powerful and majestic, dominating the composition, but in this print, the artistic Hokusai has put a clever twist on the artwork, seemed he tried to mock mount Fuji. due to the size being so small in the distance.

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Title: Vishnu
Period: Thakuri period
Date: 10th–11th century
Culture: Nepal (Kathmandu Valley)

I choose this artwork because Vishnu, one of the three gods that make up the Trimurti, is immensely important in Hindu belief. This is largely because of his role alongside Brahma the Creator and Shiva the Destroyer. With Vishnu considered to be the Preserver, his duty is to maintain the balance of the entire universe, therefore meaning that everyday life in the Hindu religion is reliant on Vishnu’s overseeing of the relationship between good and evil. Every Hindu god with many arms has multiple qualities which are represented by their different hands. It shows the immense strength and power of the Gods. Multiple hands also show that they can perform numerous tasks at a single time. Vishnu has ten avatars or worldly appearances, which are people, animals or a mix of both. Vishnu also represents freedom and the beauty of life. This is why to me it is an inspiring work of art.

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Incense Burner of Amir Saif al-Dunya wa’l-Din ibn Muhammad al-Mawardi by Ja`far ibn Muhammad ibn `Ali. Created: A.H. 577/ A.D. 1181–82

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Hello! I chose this artwork because it looked, at first, like a sculpture of a dog and, more specifically, a Xoloitzcuintle. I love Xolos, so this artwork attracted me immediately. Not sure what animal it is since it's been described as lion/bird-shaped, but either way, I clicked as fast as possible. This zoomorphic incense burner was made of metal! I was so impressed because it is so precisely carved by the Arabic calligraphy bands in its body. It is also inscribed with the artist's name, patron, and the manufactured date, engraved with fine lines. It is so mind-blowing that the creator had a lot of patience and dedication with etching everything in such a harmonic way; I loved how it turned out! Being made out of metal, I give a lot of respect to Muhammad ibn 'Ali for his commitment and precision. Furthermore, I chose this artwork because the sculpture is an incense; it is pierced from the neck down to the whole body, where the smoke escapes. Honestly, I would buy this if I could afford it! All around, this is a stunning piece of art.

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Built by Raja ibn Haywa, Yazid Ibn Salam. Built Between AD 685 and 691. Located in Jerusalem 

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I chose this artifact for several reasons. For one it is spectacular to look at. From the artistic point of view, it is just fascinating to look at. The several colors along with the calligraphy that is intricated into the design is very unique. The dome placed on top is a great addition that attracts the eyes of many. There is great significance to Islamic art present throughout the artifact, it is said that the artifact commemorates the journey of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) to heaven. What stood out the most to me are the brilliant colors, inscriptions of the Quran and structure of the artifact itself. The dome of the rock was the first monument to represent Islamic art, and became a stepping stone to how Mosques would be constructed in the future.

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Title: seated figure
Date: 13th century
Culture: Middle Niger civilization
I chose this art work because it shows anxiety. The person in the sculpture has his leg hugged to their chest to consult him/herself trying to feel better. At the same time the person is saying a prayer. I really chose it because I do deal with anxiety. Sometimes when it gets real bad i do tend to sit in the same position. It makes me feel safe within myself. It kind of comforts me to make me feel ok all over again.

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I chose this art piece for its meaning and beautiful calligraphy. The artist is Mohamed Zakariya and the calligraphy reads " I entrust my situation to Allah". Calligraphy is ink on paper. This piece by Zakariya is part of the Collection of Art in Embassies in Washington D.C. I was unable to find the creation date. Calligrapy, while flowing expects a precise touch and due to its curves and winding strokes it can make an ugly word somewhat soothing. The gold and black and white(silver) coloring to the art adds to its translation due to its richness. In arabic we say " In-sha-Allah" this means if Allah wills it by entrusting our situation to him, he inturn wills what we seek of him. The phrase written in Arabic/calligraphy and all of its coloring speaks volumes.

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Title: Robe (Kosode) with Shells and Sea Grasses

Period: Edo period (1615–1868)

Date: early 17th century

Culture: Japan

I choose this beautiful Japanese kimono simply because I love how traditional Japanese robes can tell a story. This kimono is from the early seventeenth century during the Edo period. It is one of the earliest Japanese garments to have small sleeve openings. Additionally, the kimono is embroidered with beaches scattered with sea shells and sea grass inspired by the natural scenery of Japan’s coast. The white, undecorated foundation cloth, woven in an exquisite key-fret design with floral patterns, was most likely imported from China. Then it was resist dyed to appear as irregular sandbanks, and the aquatic elements were embroidered on top. The light blue alternating bands were further enhanced with gold leaf embellishments.

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The piece I chose is called Rough Waves. It was created  by Ogata Kōrin from 1704-1709 in Japan. The first thing I liked about this piece was the shadowy blue-gray color scheme.
I also really liked the use of negative space to make the shapes of the waves. The artist laid down the ink to make a background that the waves would stand out against. I think that the soft edges of the ink and the hard edges of the waves are very effective. The contrast created by the soft dark background and hard white space helps make the foam on the wave crests stand out.
Another thing I like in this piece is the sense of movement. The waves feel very alive. You can almost see the water surge up and come crashing down.

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 "Jonah and the Whale", Folio from a Jami al-Tavarikh (Compendium of Chronicles). Date: ca. 1400. Islamic artwork. 

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The artwork above is titled 'Jonah and the Whale' made approximately CA. 1400. What I like most about this art piece is the message behind the art. The artwork shows an angel above Jonah ready, with some type-of garment after being emitted out of the whale's stomach. This Image illustrates God's merciful love and compassion for Jonah and the powerful message of his forgiveness by having the whale eject him back out. Not only is the meaning nice, but the artwork itself is beautiful too. Although the colors are opaque, there is incredible attention to detail throughout the entire art piece. The attention to detail is most noticeable on the whale's gills and the angel wings. As we can notice, the angel has the most color to it; it makes you gaze your eyes around the beautiful colors the angel is painted with, and then your eyes follow all around the incredible details of this art piece. The blue background of the water and the details of the gold trim is another aspect I also like. It is a very beautiful Islamic art piece, both the art itself and the message.

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I chose this artwork because the colors grabbed my attention. I love the many different colors that are in this picture and how each of them, even though subtly different really come together, not clashing, to make the finished project really beautiful. This room was typically called a residential winter reception room, probably used to entertain guests. It is clear from the Muslim poetry inscribed on the walls, that this room was part of a wealthy family. The room is divided into two sections: a lower and a higher section. The higher section also called tazar was used for seating. The lower section, also called 'ataba was just a small antechamber that opened into a courtyard. The woodworks were made from gesso which was covered with gold and tin leaf templates which were then tinted with bright egg tempera paint. The room was also decorated with over forty stanzas of Muslim poetry. This room was so beautiful and now I wish that I could have a room just like it.

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This beautiful jug was created in 1215 A.D.  It is made of clay that has been intricately carved, painted, and glazed and looks like a metal cast. The outside is carved with pictures of four-legged animals, harpies, sphinxes, and scrolls. It is painted with black and cobalt blue and covered with turquoise glaze. Verses of poetry written in Persian decorate the rim of the jug and run around the base suggesting that it might have been a gift for a loved one.
I chose to write about this jug because I was drawn to the beautiful colors and design.

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The title for the name of this piece is Rafter finial in the shape of a dragons head and wind chime. Its origin of culture was korea in the 10th centurty during the early Goryeo dynasty (918-1392). The product is of a scultupture form with the material being Gilt bronze. One of the reasons why I really liked this piece is because it reminds me of my culture and religion. The piece is used in a royal hall or a buddhist temple. Dragons are known to be devine creatures known to have incredible power and knowledge. One of the chinese zodiacs is an actual dragon symbolizing strength. From the piece you can see its big eyes, the nose with horns coming out of them and the rustic scales on the scultupre show its mysterious aura along side its ferociousness. This piece also contained a bell and it had buddhist symbols on them showing how buddhism was portrayed back in the past. Aside from its outside looks the material used to make the dragon is one of my favorite materials, bronze. Bronze was an abundant material back in the day and it was also very easy to shape, you just needed to melt it. Gilt Bronze is known to have a gold sheen, gold symbolizing luck in asian culture. With the combination of the color along side the ferocious dragon it symbolizes my culture and what my parents grew up teaching us. " Be strong like a dragon and use luck to your advantage."

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New York. The Metropolitan Museum of Art. "Hidden Jewels from the Mary Griggs Burke Collection," July 3, 2004-January 9, 2005.

New York. The Metropolitan Museum of Art. "Arts of Korea," June 10, 2008-October 24, 2008.

New York. The Metropolitan Museum of Art. "Contemplations on the Moon Jar," November 16, 2009-April 25, 2010.

New York. The Metropolitan Museum of Art. "Arts of Korea," May 19, 2010-November 7, 2010.

New York. The Metropolitan Museum of Art. "Representation/Abstraction in Korean Art," November 23, 2010-March 20, 2011.

New York. The Metropolitan Museum of Art. "Patchwork Textiles Across Cultures," August 24, 2011-December 5, 2011.

New York. The Metropolitan Museum of Art. "Art of Korea: Buddhism and Buddhist Art," December 9, 2011-June 3, 2012.

New York. The Metropolitan Museum of Art. "Korean Art," June 8, 2012-November 11, 2012.

New York. The Metropolitan Museum of Art. "Flora and Fauna in Korean Art," June 15, 2013-June 1, 2014.

New York. The Metropolitan Museum of Art. "The Still Life in Korean Art," June 7, 2014-February 1, 2015.

New York. The Metropolitan Museum of Art. "Korea: 100 Years of Collecting at the Met," February 7, 2015-March 27, 2016.

New York. The Metropolitan Museum of Art. "Expressions of Nature in Korean Art," April 2, 2016-September 18, 2017.

New York. The Metropolitan Museum of Art. "Splendors of Korean Art," October 1, 2016-September 22, 2018.

New York. The Metropolitan Museum of Art. "Essential Korea," June 7, 2018-September 22, 2019.

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Rafter finial in the shape of a dragon's head and wind chime | Korea | early Goryeo dynasty (918-1392) | The Metropolitan Museum of Art

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New York. The Metropolitan Museum of Art. "Hidden Jewels from the Mary Griggs Burke Collection," July 3, 2004-January 9, 2005. New York. The Metropolitan Museum of Art. "Arts of Korea," June 10, 2008-October 24, 2008. New York. The Metropolitan Museum of Art. "Contemplations on the Moon Jar," November 16, 2009-April 25, 2010.

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Ushnishavijaya Enthroned in the Womb of a Stupa

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I chose this artwork because this is something I grew up with. This is one of the earliest images from the early 1500's that represents the Buddhist goddess Ushnishavijaya. As a manifestation  of the Buddha's head protuberance, or ushnisha, she is associated with wisdom. She embodies a magical spell recited by practitioners to reach liberation through the accumulation of merit. The power of multiplication in Buddhist merit making is suggested by the many small stupas.

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Title: Headdress:Janus Date:19th-20th Century Culture: Ejagham or Bale peoples

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This piece of artwork stood out to me because of the colors and level of detail. The colors are vibrant and and it's unlike anything i have ever seen. Headdresses are owned by associations with individuals from the same generation and membership is sometimes restricted. There are three types of headdresses and each is worn differently. The way they are made is pretty interesting. An artist carves the form from a single piece of wood and covers it with antelope skin, once dried all the additional details can be done. I really enjoyed reading about how this was made and what it represents. Learning about different cultures helped me appreciate their artwork so much more.

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Hello! This artwork is titled "Bahram Gur Sees a Herd of Deer Mesmerized by Dilaram's Music", Folio from a Khamsa (Quintet) of Amir Khusrau Dihlavi. Made in years 1597-98 by artist Miskin. This is a painting made using ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on dyed papers. This painting shows the king Bahram Gur with his slave girl, Dilaram, who could make animals sleep or awaken with the sound of her music. I chose this artwork because it caught my eye as soon as I saw it. It's so much going in the picture, which I enjoy. You have all these different animals, many different colors, etc etc. The shadowing effect, the unity, the sense of movement, etc. etc. Not only that, but this painting also shows some type of illusion as well. I just really love all the detail as well that is shown. Coming from a musician themselves, who plays Trombone, I wish I could spawn anything I want with the sound of my music.

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I picture seen here is of the Blue Mosque in Istanbul. The reason this Mosque is given its nickname "Blue Mosque" is because of its sappier hues that pervades the decorations from ceiling to carpet. The beautiful blue hues overlining each other gives a more open and bright look within the Mosque. The different shaped artwork in the Mosque gives a more modern look to it. The many different shaped stained windows contrast each other yet gives it an elegant look. It also provides most of the light within the mosque. All of these designs come together in the end and give it such a beautiful look.The words of "Allah" are written in calligraphy on the top. This mosque also has six minarets. Lastly, the Mosque is made up of 20,000 blue tiles.

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Bowl Emulating Chinese Stoneware, 9th century, Iraq

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This pottery caught my eye, not because of elaborate markings and extensive designs, but because of its simplicity. The seemingly mundane and pleasing marking, when closely inspected, turns out to be calligraphy spelling the Arabic word "ghibta," meaning happiness. The bowl is reminiscent of something you would see today, and it really speaks volumes of how we still incorporate art from years past in our everyday life. The ivory ceramic stands as a backdrop for the dark blue inscriptions and designs painted on the bowl. Ceramics such as this bowl are among the first examples of artworks containing calligraphy. The Iraqi porters were trying to imitate the appearance of Chinese wares, so they covered the ceramic in a white glaze to get that shine and look. The repetitive embroidery, even the twice repeated inscription, propels Islamic art's essence- symmetry and repetition.

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Medallion with return from a spring outing, late 16th–early 17th century, China.

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I am interested in this artwork. This artwork immediately caught my eye. Actually, when I saw this for the first time, I wondered what this was. However, when I zoomed in on the picture, I was amazed by the fine details inside. This ivory is only 3.2 cm tall and 8.3 cm in diameter. The background of this work is a literati returning from a spring trip. The literati were riding horses, the boy and the servant were carrying the literati's luggage, and the servants in the courtyard had come to open the door for the literati. The plants and trees in the works complement each other with the characters, creating the joy of the literati returning from their travels. The reason why I like this piece is because the atmosphere gives a comfortable, happy and relaxed feeling to me. At the same time, it also lets us know that the creativity of the ancients is powerful.

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The painting ‘Old Plum’ was created by Kano Sansetsu in 1646, and it is currently being preserved at the Minneapolis Institute of Arts. The Japanese painter created the artwork during the Edo period, where this art style was very prevalent. While it is unclear whether it's directly related to a particular religion, the Eight Daoist Immortals theme was present in the reverse of these panels. The painting was adapted to fit sliding-door panels in someone’s home, which downsized the original composition of the artwork. I like this painting because of the amount of detail put into the trees and its arrangement within the space it surrounds. The delicate planning of the lines that form the tree branches demonstrate how much thought went into the composition of the painting. The artwork is well-balanced because the branches are placed in complementary angles and the harmony of the painting as a whole. Additionally, because of the somber mood it creates, the painter only stuck to a handful of colors and shades that allowed the viewer to focus on the details of the piece. Whenever there are colors that deviate from the color scheme of dark browns, they are so small and subtle that they can only be perceived when paying close attention to the flowers growing from the trees. All in all, the art piece is quite complex and pleasing to the eye, which has attracted people and led to its conservation as the years passed.

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What I really liked about this piece is how simple and creative it is. It is just bag made to hold bedding and it has a very intricate and colorful design. Many cultures have similar objects in their homes that are everyday items but also beautiful pieces of art. Even things like rugs, sheets, and blankets can be very mesmerizing and unique. I also find it very impressive how they would make these bags. Weaving these bags would have very time consuming and I would probably find it difficult to make the intricate designs. I think that it would also be very fun to work on these bags and create them with whatever designs or colors I want. Bedding bags are very simple objects but also creative pieces of art. Even though it is an everyday object that can be found in many different parts of the world. I like the designs that can be found in Islam and I enjoy how creative objects like this can be.

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Islamic art 14th century: Textile fragment, made in Spain, Al Andalus

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This is the art I chose because I think it’s really different and unique. This textile shows lots of varying patterns, some including interlacing calligraphic inscriptions. This actually reminds me of a rug my mom use to have in her room when I was little. It looked very similar to this textile including the colors and fringe used. I love how it has different patterns and colors including the cute fringe on the bottom. I really liked that the texts conveys wishes for happiness, good fortune and prosperity. Knowing that it conveys that message makes me happy because by just looking at it I wouldn’t have known that. I’m glad I looked into this piece of art. This silk fragment woven in bright colors and richly decorated with geometric and epigraphic motifs could have been made for such a ceremonial purpose. The brightly colored fragment, contrasting red, green, and gold also characterize the textiles produced during Nasrid and later periods in Spain and North Africa. This textile fragment was one of the most frequently employed and subsequently most widely distributed, for examples of it are found in most Hispanic-Islamic textile collections.

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One-Pillar Pagoda, in Vietnam. Thiền Tuệ. Built in  1049. Buddhism. 

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I chose this artwork because it is not only artistic but also has historical value. Its architecture is very unique, along with it is the historical value of thousands of years of Vietnam. It attracted me by a temple but only one main pillar. This is a photo that has been restored many times because of the effects of war through the ages.

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For my topic of Art of Asia, I chose this ceramic wine ewer from the 13th century in Korea. The actual name is "Wine Ewer with Chrysanthemums and Lotus Flowers." The period of its creation was in the Goryeo Dynasty which ranges from 918 to 1392. It's made of ceramic, with white or black slip put over the engraved designs before the artist fires it in a kiln, with a celadon glaze. Creating the gentle almost dainty look of the flowers. Although the artist is unknown, they definitely were talented, with it being hundreds of years old, and yet it has aged well. My favorite part about this piece and why I mainly chose to pick this one, is the delicate look of the wine ewer. I also love the jade-like color, something that is represented a lot in Korean and Japanese art. Even though it's just basically a wine teapot, it's beautiful. The design of the flowers and how narrow the nose and handle of the pot give it a more illustrious feel. The added little details give this piece an extra personal touch. Every time I look at it I feel calm and can imagine myself having tea or wine out on a wooden patio surrounded by chrysanthemums and lotus flowers.

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This artwork drew my attention because of the beautiful colors that came through the stain glass window, and I immediately imagined how I would feel if I was standing there looking at the way colors looked as they passed through the glass. I brief history of how they made it. The material form which they made it from is still unknown. But they would use a process called Luster painting. During this process they would apply metallic pigments during the glassmaking. Then they would add gilded, painted and ensembled glass with shapes and motifs. There was one problem with this technique, when the adornments grew more intricate, the quality of the glass decreased, which made the glass turn to a brownish-yellowish color. After the invasion of the mongol of 1260, they stopped making that type of glass.

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Floral Tent Panel

ca. 1635

The Floral Tent Panel is from Indian descent, made of silk, gold, and velvet, as well as painted on. This artwork caught my eye immediately because of how simplistic yet really well put together everything was. The media it was made from was surprising to me, I figured it was a textile made of multiple colored threading, not of gold. The variety adds even more to discovering that it is a very well made and unique panel. Looking at the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s website, the technique is what made it really come together. The tent panel was created for the interior of a tent complex most likely for Raja Jai Singh l. That is indicated because of the color amber, historically setting the ambiance in such tent cities. The velvet is the main component, and silk is engraved within, with the floral and leaf scroll under an arch painted on. The gold was created with gold leaves by sticking it over an adhesive substance, beating it onto the surface where the adhesive was placed, and further burnishing it. This technique was used for a majority of textiles imprinted with gold during this time period in South Asia. This feels like an artwork that would be passed over, but has a lot of history that makes it unique, interesting, and gives a story to tell.

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I chose this artwork because of the kinds of canvas and color the artist used. I also chose this because of what is represents. This artwork were painted on sliding door panels which were made for a temple in Kyoto. The artwork represents a belief that the immortals were able to transcend the bound of the natural world and live on forever. One amazing fact is that the artist Kano created hundred of panels like this but only 4 survived a fire in the 1800. The last 4 are now displayed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.

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Cizre  Great Mosque Door, Turkey, Islamic Culture, 13th century

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What strikes me at the door is the beauty of the knocker and details that are noticed when you look carefully. Different geometric shapes are harmoniously intertwined with each other, and it is a surprise to see some shapes that you did not notice at first glance. The knocker is also a work of art in itself with its creativity, symbolism and aesthetics. The door belongs to a mosque but it is displayed in Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts. This double-door door is made of wood, decorated with bronze and brass.

Each door wing has three round shapes one under the other. This round shape consists of a twelve-pointed star and a palmette motif located between the corners of the star. Between the circles on both wings, there are half-circles that are completed when the door is closed. The space at the intersection of the round shapes is filled with another shape: a square made of a circle and four palmette motifs around the circle. On the wings of the door, there is a knocker made of bronze, consisting of a dragon on both sides of a lion's head. However, one of the knockers was removed and is currently displayed in a museum in Denmark. There is a border with a clover motif on the sides of the door and there is an inscription on top of the door.

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Cizre Great Mosque Door, Turkey, Islamic Culture, 13th century
What strikes me at the door is the beauty of the knocker and details that are noticed when you look carefully. Different geometric shapes are harmoniously intertwined with each other, and it is a surprise to see some shapes that you did not notice at first glance. The knocker is also a work of art in itself with its creativity, symbolism and aesthetics. The door belongs to a Mosque but it is displayed in Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts. This double-door door is made of wood, decorated with bronze and brass.

Each door wing has three round shapes one under the other. This round shape consists of a twelve-pointed star and a palmette motif located between the corners of the star. Between the circles on both wings, there are half-circles that are completed when the door is closed. The space at the intersection of the round shapes is filled with another shape: a square made of a circle and four palmette motifs around the circle. On the wings of the door, there is a knocker made of bronze, consisting of a dragon on both sides of a lion's head. However, one of the knockers was removed and is currently displayed in a museum in Denmark. There is a border with a clover motif on the sides of the door and there is an inscription on top of the door.

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This is a sculpture of Buddha. The title of this, according to the website, is  "Buddha, Probably Amitabha." This sculpture was created during the Tang dynasty (618–907). The religion of origin is buddhism.
One of the reasons why I chose this sculpture of Buddha because this is what I am most familiar of. In Vietnam, where I was born and raised, buddhism is the most common religion. We can see temples every where and it is likely for households to have sculptures of Buddha inside our houses. When I first look at this sculpture, I was impressed by the ancient looking of it. the colors of the rust on the body of Buddha is what makes the sculpture unique . Also, I love the peaceful feeling when I look at this sculpture. Looking at the position of Buddha, we can see that he is meditating. The technique that people used to create this sculpture is also interesting. It is called the dry-lacquer technique, the core of sculpture will be filled with wood and then covered with clay and wrapped with many layers of cloth. These layers will be saturated with a tree resin that will be hardens eventually when the sculpture exposes to oxygens.
Name: Vi Ho

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The image above is called Brush holder with lotus decoration. This brush holder originated from Korea, during the Joseon dynasty of (1392–1910). The holder was made from ceramic porcelain. This brush holder was created for scholars to hold their ink brushes. I am quite fond of Korean culture and had watched many historical K-drama. I know that back then in the 19th century not everyone knew how to read or write, those with high status had only such knowledge. I like that the brush holder holds such a deep value showing the scholars status in the society back then. Lotus is one of the biggest symbolism that ties to not only Asian culture but also a religion. Buddhism's writing and scriptures always presented the lotus as purity and enlighten. The scholars own these porcelain brush holders that symbolize there intelligence and status.

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The Kaaba, c. 608 C.E. built by Prophet Ibrahim and his son Ishmael

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The Kaaba is not only one of the most beautiful architectural structures in Islam, but also one of the most important places to those who practice the religion. It is located at the center of Islam's most important mosque, Masjid al-Haram in Mecca, Saudi Arabia. The Kaaba is the most sacred site in Islam because it represents the metaphorical House of God and the oneness of God in Islam. It is a cuboid-shaped structure made of stones which was originally white but has been thought to have turned black over the years from the millions of people who have touched the stone in seeking forgiveness from God and in hopes of their prayers being answered. Muslims all around the world face toward the Kaaba during their five daily prayers. The Kaaba is also important for the pilgrimage that many Muslims perform called Hajj and Umrah. To perform Umrah, Muslims circle the Kaaba counterclockwise seven times while reciting supplications to God, then walk between the two hills traveled by Hagar. As a practicing Muslim myself, being able to witness the beauty of the Kaaba in person was the most surreal and amazing experience in my life. The full beauty of it cannot be captured through a lens the way it does in real life.

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This piece is titled "Bird Mask (Ge Gon) and is dated 19th- mid - 20th century from the Dan culture. This artwork immediately captured me because of its exaggerated features and the fact that it was a mask. Naively, I have subconsciously kept a negative association with masks since in my culture or even in America, masks are usually used to scare off entities. Despite African culture also having that, this mask in particular with its bird-like beak and oval eyes had been originally described as a mask of wisdom. With time progressing it has become more for entertainment and the appeal it brings when performers use it to dance in bird-like movements. For the Dan society, they experience forest spirits that translate into human face masks. Even if they are not worn they still become spiritually charged. This results in male performers experiencing insight and being allowed to dance by the mask's spirit. It is all very interesting and unique to the usual associations with mask-wearing from culture to culture.

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This album captured my attention because of it's exquisite detail. The artist Fathallah Shirazi knew what they were doing when they wanted to make something subtle, but beautiful. This album is called Album of Flower Painting, which Fathallah Shirazi painted in 1880. The detail of the pattern alone is captivating because there are two different patterns which contrast each other by their colors. The bigger pattern has a yellowish hue, which to me reminds me of a frame capturing the bigger picture. The different flowers blooming remind me of how love can grow and be such a beautiful thing to feel. The little addition of butterflies represent the care you provide for the love to bloom. Overall, the album is beautifully displayed and deserves more attention especially due to the contrast of colors and detail.

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Night Rain at the Double-Shelf Stand, Suzuki Harunobu, ca. 1766, 

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The staggered girls along the mid-ground of the picture is what had caught my attention about this art piece and made me choose it. According to 'The Met' website, this is a girl lulled by the sound of soft boiling tea set on a portable hearth of the type used during the summer. It playfully alludes to "Night Rain," which is one of the Eight Views of the Xiao and Xiang Rivers in China, a very venerable theme in Chinese and Japanese paintings. What was most interesting to me about this piece was the middle girl who is adjusting her hair. Personally, it gives off a comforting feeling. It had reminded me a lot of a sister bond or a mother and daughter bond. The girl is taking care of the other girl by doing her hair, all three sharing a calm company. The use of different shades of yellow is what brought my attention to this art as well. It is seen in their dresses and on the wall. As I stare more at this piece I feel myself at peace.

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The name of this piece is Brasero. It was created in the late 15th - early 16th century. The artist of the plate is unknown. The style of the ceramic plate called Lusterware. This was the most significant luxury ceramic for both local and international export. The details and color of this ceramic plate really stood out to me. All of the patterns are different, but they come together nicely. It is ornamented with an eagle blazon in the middle. This type of dish is called “ gadrooned ware”. This pattern style is shown around the outer rim and inner raised boss. It seems to me that it took a lot of work and effort to create this type of art work.

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Brock Pfrommer, Sword Guard (Tsuba), From Japan, 18th Century

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Hello, for this week's discussion I choose the art of Asia. I chose the art of Asia because their culture interests me the most out of the four. The reason I believe Asia stood out the most was my indirect exposure to their culture. Growing up I've always been an anime fan. I have watched numerous animes and have fallen in love with their culture. Out of the shows Ive watched I noticed that Japan has a fascination with swords, and so do I. I loved how the Asian culture valued swords. So when I saw this Tsuba it instantly stood out to me. I loved the design on it and how it represented peace on such a violent weapon. The Color scheme and its shape stand out too.

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Portrait of a Lady, Islamic Culture, mid-17th century

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I chose this artwork to talk about. This is a Portrait of a Lady wearing a Turkish costume. This artwork was painted in Iran during the 17th century. The outfit was initially intended for a niche of the same shape in a palace or pleasure pavilion in 17th century Isfahan. The portrait would have been displayed alongside other paintings of men and women wearing different costumes, reflecting Isfahan's cosmopolitan spirit. It consisted of Persian, Indian, and Northern European styles. These are among the earliest oil on canvas paintings made in Iran. I find this piece of art to be very beautiful because of the diverse style of the clothing itself. The dress is very detailed, and like nothing I've seen before. I was also very biased in choosing this over the others because of my simple fascination with Turkish culture. I choose Islamic culture over the rest because I've been interested in religious art ever since we started to talk about it a little earlier this semester.

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This is a painting made in Japan called The Parinirvana of the Buddha, 1086 Otoku. It is a celebrated work, arguably one of the most significant and well-known Buddhist paintings ever made in Japan. It is the 11th-century parinirvana painting that's seen here in the collection of the kongobuji temple on Mount Koya in Wakayama prefecture. The parinirvana refers to a seminal event in the life of the historical buddha Shakyamuni in which, in his 80th year on the outskirts of the northern Indian city of
Kushinagar, he laid down and entered nirvana thus marking his exit from the cycle of endless rebirth, known as samsara. This pseudo-death of the buddha was traditionally imagined as a scene in which the buddha lay prone out in a natural setting as you see here surrounded by a throng of followers. The iconography of this image was developed earlier on in South Asia. As witnessed by the sculptural diorama of the buddhas parinirvana and the Ajanta caves believes too dates to the early 6th century. In Japan, from the 10th century onward, painted versions of the Parinirvina began to be widely used in temples as a part of annual ceremonies that commemorated this event on the 15th day of the 2nd month of the lunar calendar. These rituals were performed at pretty much every Buddhist temple. Hundreds survived to the present but this 11th-century version on mount Koya is considered the most significant example. Not only does it reflect the highest levels of artistry and Heian painting, but it bears an inscription dating it to the 3rd year of the Otoku era or 1086, making it the only Buddhist painting of the period with such an inscription on its front side in the lower right corner.

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One Hundred Famous Views of Edo by Hiroshige

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This beautiful art work is part of a series created by Hiroshige. Hiroshige's “One Hundred Famous Views of Edo,” actually composed of 118 splendid woodblock landscape and genre scenes of mid-nineteenth-century Tokyo, is one of the greatest achievements of Japanese art. In order to protect these very special prints, the Museum can only physically display them periodically, but they are presented here in this ongoing online exhibition. The series, reproduced online in its entirety, contains many of Hiroshige's best loved and most extraordinary prints. It is a celebration of the style and world of Japan's finest cultural flowering at the end of the shogunate. The series goes through what the seasons look like in Japan. I chose this piece of art because it has amazing details that were created through wood print. Since learning of woodblock printing in this class I have been fascinated with Asian art and this piece is definitely one of my favorites.

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Tosa Hiroshige 1855                Nicholas almanza

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Tosa Hiroshige 1855                Nicholas almanza

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I Chose this print Name Tosa  made by Utagawa Hiroshige a Japanese artist who created this in 1855 by ink. Paper with a color woodblock print  which he made these painting as a photo of old japan areas . He would make as a guide for people to be able to see this view of japan. Which were on guide books so he would illustrate his view of the pictures so it could show the beauty of the light blue sea. The mountains in the distance with the trees and showing a man rowing by on the calm sea. if just feels as if it a piece of japan to view to just imagine the landscape and just think of all other view and country side life it has were it so calm and just wonderful beauty of the land. But this is just one of the many art he created to impose the views and landscape to visit to see the wonders it had to offer. Or even for the one who could afford to go  and see could still have a little piece of art to look at and imagine to be there to escape to the country side.

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This beautiful work of art is titled the Night Rain At The Double- Shelf Stand which was created in 1766 by Suzuki Harunobu. I love the calmness in this photo and how close this family is seen. Something I have been wanting to do as of recently was travel to Japan and imagining a life there. I’d like to imagine this is me in a couple of years with my family as we’re in our living room area. The beautiful mix of soft colors caught my eye since I have a piece of artwork very similar hanging. In this picture you can see a young women being being “lulled” which means resting or soothed to the sounds of tea boiling which makes me feel at ease. I know that I love having my hair softly played with and how fast I could fall asleep with someone playing with my hair especially sitting up. What also makes me tired is sounds of rain which in this photo it was raining outside which I think is what makes this seem that much more relaxing.

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Shangaan by Anton Van Wouw/ 1907/ Bronze & Mid-Brown Patina. 

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There are a lot of things that I found remarkable about this piece by Anton. At the first layer of impression, I really appreciated the craftsmanship of the Hair. This sculpture is made of Bronze. A metal medium that was warped to mirror the tight coils of most African Hair. I loved the sort of hyper-realistic pose the muse is doing. If I didn't have my glasses on, I would've thought it was a real person. Also the shadows and highlights the metal brings to piece. It really imitates the look of Brown moisturized skin in the sun or Moonlight. On a secondary level. I love the change in intensity for African Diaspora. Most African pieces are very complicated, and supernatural to the eye. Whilst his is just hyper-realism of an African as a sculpture. Personally I like to see variety in themes.