Monday, February 9, 2015

Chapter 13 Study Guide


Gothic Europe

Gothic
      Old Testament kings and queens jamb statues, Chartres Cathedral, c. 1145-1155
      Virgin and Child and angels (Notre Dame de la Belle Verriere), Chartres Cathedral, c. 1170
      Saint Theodore jamb statue, Porch of the Martyrs, Chartres Cathedral, c. 1230
      Christ (Beau Dieu), trumeau statue from Amiens Cathedral, c. 1220-1235
      Annunciation and Visitation jamb statues, Reims Cathedral, c. 1230-1255
      Sainte-Chapelle (interior), c. 1243-1248
      Naumburg Master, Crucifixion, west choir screen of Naumburg Cathedral, c. 1249-1255

1. What are the four defining characteristics of Gothic architecture?
2. List 2 structural advantages the pointed arch had over the round arch.
3. What is the function of the flying buttress?
4. How does the representation of Christ change from the Romanesque to Gothic periods?
5. What is the main difference between French Gothic and English Gothic cathedrals?
6. What is a hall church?

Wednesday, February 4, 2015

Weekly Group Assignment (2/11)

As a group, analyze the work of art you have been assigned. Attempt to identify the subject, culture, and approximate time period of the work using visual evidence and your own knowledge of history and art. Do not simply list off facts you have found through Google. Support any conclusions you come to with specific details from the work. Discuss anything you may find interesting in the piece such as potential symbols, connections with other works, or artistic virtuosity.

Group 1:



Group 2:


Group 3:


Group 4:


Group 5:


Group 6:


Chapter 12 Study Guide


Romanesque Europe

Romanesque
      St. Sernin in Toulouse, c. 1070-1120
      Gislebertus, Last Judgment from Saint-Lazare, c. 1120-1135
      Sant’Ambrogio in Milan, late 11th to early 12th century
      Saint-Etienne in Caen, c. 1115-1120
      Durham Cathedral (interior), c. 1093
      Master Hugo, Moses Expounding the Law, c. 1135
      Eadwine the Scribe, Eadwine the Scribe at Work, c. 1160-1170
      Battle of Hastings, Bayeux Tapestry, c. 1070-1080

1. What is a relic? What is a reliquary?
2. What did people in the Christian world fear would happen in the year AD1000?
3. Draw a simple floorplan illustrating the ‘pilgrimage church’ type. Include and label the following:
            a. nave
            b. aisles
            c. transept
            d. crossing
            e. ambulatory
            f. chapels (draw at least 4)
4. What advantage did stone vaults have over wooden roofs?
5. Why were so many Romanesque churches of such great size, even though they were frequently located in isolated places with small congregations?
6. What was the Battle of Hastings and why is it important to our study of art? 

Chapter 11 Study Guide


Early Medieval Europe

Early Medieval
      Chi-rho-iota page from the Book of Kells, late 8th or early 9th century
      Saint Matthew from the Lindisfarne Gospels, c. 698-721
      High Cross of Muiredach, 923
      Equestrian statuette of a Carolingian ruler, 9th century
      Saint Matthew from the Coronation Gospels, c. 800-810
      Saint Matthew from the Ebbo Gospels, c. 816-835
      Hildesheim Doors, 1015

1. What was the only major institution to survive the fall of the Western Roman Empire?
2. The term ‘Insular’ encompasses the art of what region?
3. Who are the four evangelists and what are their symbols?
4. How did Charlemagne turn his court at Aachen into a major centre of culture and learning?
5. What does Charlemagne’s ‘Renovatio’ (Renewal) refer to? What was being renewed?

Chapter 10 Study Guide


The Islamic World

Islamic
      Dome of the Rock (interior), 687-692
      Malwiya Minaret, Great Mosque at Samarra, 848-852
      Prayer hall of the Great Mosque at Cordoba, 8th-10th centuries
      Sinan, Mosque of Selim II (exterior), 1568-1575

1. What is a minaret?
2. What is the orientation of all mosques?
3. Why is abstract patterning so prevalent in Islamic decoration? 

Thursday, January 29, 2015

Essay 2


Essay Titles/Questions

Choose ONE of the questions below and answer it in an essay that is between 2 and 3 pages long. Use specific examples of works of art and architecture which we have looked at in class and that are relevant to your argument. (Typed, 12 pt font, double spaced, Times New Roman/Arial, 1 inch margins)

1. The Influence of Classical Greece on Imperial Rome: Classical Greece (particularly Athens) had a strong influence on later generations. How is its influence felt in the art and architecture of the Roman Empire? Use 3-5 specific examples to support your argument. Consider which aspects of the examples you have chosen reflect Greek prototypes and which aspects make them distinctly Roman.

2. Etruscan and Early Christian Burial Practices: The Etruscans and the Early Christians both buried their dead in underground necropoleis. Compare and contrast the two cultures with regards to their burial practices. Consider tomb decorations and sarcophagi when choosing your (4-6) examples.

(40 points)
Due: Thursday 5 February*

* If submitting electronically, essay must be received by midnight. Send to lauren.vaughan@rccd.edu

Wednesday, January 28, 2015

Weekly Group Assignment (2/4)


Compare and Contrast

Identify artist, title, and culture/style of each image and analyse their similarities and differences in style, symbolic meaning, function, and how they are representative of their respective cultures.

Group 1:

A. 


B. 


Group 2:

A.


B.


Group 3:

A. 


B.


Group 4:

A. 


B.


Group 5:

A. 


B.


Group 6:

A.


B.


Chapter 9 Study Guide


Byzantine Art

Byzantine
      Barberini Ivory (Justinian as World Conqueror), mid-sixth century
      Anthemius of Tralles and Isidorus of Miletus, Hagia Sophia, Constantinople, 532-537
      Justinian, Bishop Maximianus, and Attendants, San Vitale, Ravenna, c. 547
      Saint Apollinaris amid sheep, Sant’Apollinare in Classe, Ravenna, c. 533-549
      Christ as Pantokrator (‘Ruler of All’), Church of the Dormition, Daphni, c. 1090-1100
      Vladamir Virgin (Virgin of Compassion icon), late 11th or early 12th century

1. What city functioned as the capital of the Byzantine Empire? What is its modern day name?
2. How does the dome of Hagia Sophia differ from the dome of the Roman Pantheon in construction and material?
3. What aspects of the relief panel of Saint Michael the Archangel reflect classical influences (list 2)? What characteristics make it distinctly Byzantine (list 2)?
4. Define iconoclasm.
5. What is the subject of the Lamentation? Name at least 3 of the 5 biblical characters (excluding Jesus) most commonly depicted in Lamentation scenes.

Chapter 8 Study Guide


Late Antiquity

Early Christian
      Sarcophagus of Junius Bassus, c. 359
      Mausoleum of Galla Placidia, c. 425
      Christ as Good Shepherd (mosaic), Mausoleum of Galla Placidia, c. 425
      The Parting of Abraham and Lot, Santa Maria Maggiore, 432-440
      Miracle of the Loaves and Fishes, Sant’Apollinare Nuovo, c. 504
      Suicide of Judas and the Crucifixion, c. 420

1. How was Christ most often represented prior to Constantine, particularly during periods of persecution under emperors such as Trajan Decius and Diocletian?
2. Why were most early major churches built on the outskirts of the city of Rome?
3. List three attributes that representations of Christ acquired after Christianity became the official religion of the Roman Empire
4. Why was large-scale sculpture rare in early Christian places of worship?
5. Define the following terms:
            a. codex
            b. parchment
            c. illuminated manuscript

Wednesday, January 21, 2015

Weekly Group Assignment (1/28)

Propaganda is media (including art and architecture) which serves to promote a certain point of view, oftentimes by manipulating the viewer. Discuss your work with regards to its function as propaganda (whether promoting an individual, a culture, an idea, or any combination of the three).

Group 1:


Group 2:



Group 3:


Group 4:

(Discuss both architecture and exterior sculpture program)

Group 5:



Group 6:



Chapter 7 Study Guide


The Roman Empire

Early Empire
      Augustus Caesar as General (Primaporta Augustus), early 1st century CE
      Ara Pacis Augustae (Altar of Augustan Peace), c.13-9 BCE
      Pont-du-Gard, Nimes, c. 16 BCE
      Colosseum (Flavian Amphitheatre), c. 70-80 CE

High Empire
      Column of Trajan, dedicated 112 CE           
      Pantheon, 118-125 CE
      Equestrian Statue of Marcus Aurelius, c. 175 CE


Late Empire
      Bust of Caracalla, c. 211-117 BCE
      The Four Tetrarchs, c. 305 CE
      Arch of Constantine, 312-315 CE
      Colossal Head of Constantine, c. 315-330 CE

1. Who were the two legendary founders of Rome?
2. Which two cultures most strongly influenced the art of the Roman Empire?
3. What technological advancement allowed the Romans to build in a more innovative manner and on a grander scale (without the necessity for internal support) than other ancient civilizations?
4. What is verism?
5. Augustus ‘found Rome a city of __________ and transformed it into a city of __________.’
6. The Treasury of Atreus was the largest dome in the ancient world for over a thousand years. Which dome of Roman construction finally surpassed it?
7. Portraits of the Tetrarchs were very different from portraits of leaders from the Early and High Empire. Describe the differences and explain why this change occurred.
9. Which Roman emperor gave Christianity official status as a state recognized religion?

The Vesuvian Sites

Pompeii and Herculaneum
      Atrium, House of the Vetii, 2nd century BCE
      Dionysiac Mystery Frieze, Villa of the Mysteries, c. 60-50 BCE

1. What catastrophic event allowed the preservation of the sites near the Bay of Naples, such as Pompeii and Herculaneum?
2. Describe each of the Four Styles of Roman painting (1-3 sentences for each style).
3. What is a still-life painting?

Chapter 6 Study Guide


Etruscan

Etruscan
      Apulu (Apollo of Veii), c. 510-500 BCE
      Sarcophagus with Reclining Couple, Banditaccia Necropolis, c. 520 BCE
      Capitoline Wolf, c. 500-480 BCE
      Chimera of Arezzo, first half of fourth century BCE

1. Pedimental sculpture was rare in Etruscan art. Where on the temple did they tend to place their statuary instead?
2. Our knowledge of early Etruscan houses is primarily derived from _________.
3. What is the major difference between the necropoleis of Cerveteri and Tarquinia with regards to tomb decoration?