Studies at Lascaux (1988-99) show that the paintings were consistently constructed over time according to a fixed order: horses drawn first, then aurochs, then stags, corresponding to the life cycles and mating cycles of the animals: spring, summer, and autumn, and thus representing life cycles and regeneration

bc/bce = before common era

paleolithic art = 50-10,000 bc

Reconstructed with tinted plaster to resemble flesh; inserted seashell fragments for eyes;

Implication of belief: something survives of a person after death

Neolithic Art: C. 8000-2000 B.C

permanent settlements

domestication of animals

specialized skills pottery weaving etc

Figurines 4 ½” (11.5 cm)

2 found together in a tomb

Represent the deceased? Mourners?

New: negative space under arms and legs

Looks modern! Essence, everyday poses

Square, hollow tubes decorated with lines and abstract faces/ round disks

Found in graves

True jade (nephrite); very hard—cannot be carved, incised with knife

Had to be incised by rubbing grains of sand

Clearly symbols of intentionality and much effort

We don’t know what they mean; perhaps forerunners of later symbols of rectilinear shape referring to the earth and round shape referring to the sun, sky

Babylonian: ca. 1700 BC

Assyrian: ca. 700 BC

Late Babylonian: ca. 600 BC

Persian: ca. 500 BC

times to roll an impression onto wet clay to seal

documents)

Heraldic or Hero Pose:

a symmetrical

composition where two

figures are positioned as

mirror images flanking a

central object or figure

Orthostat = upright stone slab on the wall

Middle Kingdom: c. 2000 BC

New Kingdom: c. 1500 BC

Amarna Style: c. 1350 BC

Necorpolis is the city of the dead

A mathematical standard of

proportions for representing the

human figure in art

Ka = life force

Corbel arch = an arch-like construction formed by layering stones or
bricks that progressively extend inward from each side of the opening until
they meet at the top

post and lintel arch. corbelling around. relief sculpture triangle thang

cyclopean masonry weapons

amphora - used for storing oils / wine

Krater = vessel for
mixing wine and water

contrapposto - standing with weight on one leg - asymmetrical

Kylix =
A vessel with two
handles used for
drinking wine

Arcade = a row of arches; Barrel vault = an elongated arch that forms a tunnel

basilica: public building

Basilica = a large public building with a long central hall (often
a law court) that was typically built alongside the town's forum.

Arcade = a row of arches; Barrel vault = an elongated arch that forms a tunne

Oculus = a circular opening
(Latin for “eye”)

Painted illusions that open
up the room (usually with
architectural features)

Decorative panel painting

Loculi=shelves for dead bodies that would be sealed

Basilica= a long building similar to a Roman basilica, used as a Christian church

Icon=image of sacred person
Iconoclastic Controversy
c. 726-843

Pantocrator =
ruler and
judge of the
universe

Psalter = A book that contains
the Book of Psalms from the
Old Testament

Minaret=Tower for calling people to prayer

Mughal Empire (1526-1857)
Akbar (r. 1555-1603)
Jahangir (r. 1603-1627)
Shah Jahan (1627-1658)

Muqarnas = form of ornamental vaulting (also called honeycomb or stalactite vaulting)

680.

with attached

columns or shafts

Champlevé = an enamel process where the surface to be enameled is
carved or etched with a design prior to enameling

Mandorla = full body halo

Cloister = a covered walkway, typically surrounding a courtyard or garden,
found in monasteries and convents

Historiated capital=a capital that tells a storyTympanum = a semi-circular recessed space typically found above a
doorway, often decorated with sculptureTrumeau = a central
vertical post or pier that
supports the lintel and
tympanum of a large
doorway

Jamb = a vertical
element of a doorway or
window frame, often a
side pos

Belgium, & Netherlands)

Attention to detail

Religious symbolism

Naturalism

Oil paint: subtle effects of light and dark,

modeling, greater details, glowing colors

Art can be owned by middle class (especially

prints)

Mostly religious, also portraiture

Details of modern life (cityscapes, interiors, etc.)

Fantastical creatures/demons (Bosch,

Schongauer)

Demons, ca. 1480-1490

apron scenes =

Small scenes on either side of a main altarpiece painting

Giornata = A day’s work

Painted altarpiece =

A painting on wood set

above and behind

an altar

above and behind

an alta

A raised platform in

a church from which

a preacher delivers

a sermon

new naturalism

rich colors, materials

symbolism

many small details

aristocratic patrons, tastes

elegant figures, expensive dress

patterns, repetition

the Country (far right), Sala della Pace, Palazzo Pubblico, Siena. 1338–40