Please respond to the discussion questions below. Each response should be 1-2 PARAGRAPHS
dream86
Weektwodiscussionresponse.docx
Darrien DeLeon
Week 2 Discussion
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Part I:
The art of the Paleolithic Period are the oldest forms of ancient artworks, dating back to as early as 30,000 BCE, focusing more on the concepts of basic human functions and survivability. For example, paintings found in the Lascaux caves are almost all of animals, possibly highlighting the early civilizations’ need to hunt and provide for themselves. Another example is the female statuettes found near Willendorf, Austria of possibly pregnant female figures that represent and encourage pregnancy and childbirth (Getlein, 2010, p. 322).
Closely following the Paleolithic period is the Neolithic period, carrying with it works of art that exemplify the gradually advancing development of human life with the introduction of new tools and new practices/approaches toward survival. For example, the rock painting found in Algeria, Women and Cattle, communicates the domestication of animals, a practice not developed until around 5000 BCE (Getlein, p. 323).
There are four main reasons given in the text as to why these ancient artworks have survived over the course of time. First, they were worked in durable materials such as stone and fired clay. Second, the environments were not destructive to the artworks. Third, the cultures were organized enough to house most of their art in cities or places of high population to create rich troves of artwork. Lastly, most cultures cached their artwork in places of limited/no accessibility, such as caves or tombs (Getlein, p. 324).
Part II:
The main shift in the Roman Empire that created Byzantium is the adoption of Christianity as the official state religion, which evolved its art style to represent the grandeur of a powerful earthly kingdom. Most Byzantium artworks primarily focus its images on divine icons of power with the use of silver, gold, and jewels, such as the mosaic of Christ in the Cathedral of Monreale (Getlein, p. 353, 354).
Animal style was prevalent in the art of northwestern Europe, depicting images of abstracted animals accompanied by ribbons and bands, as shown in a purse cover found in the Sutton Hoo ship burial (Getlein, p. 356, Fig. 15.11). The Carolingian art style, named after Emperor Charlemagne, took root after Charles the Great took control of Western Europe. This art style introduced marble mosaics to the architectural style of Rome, as seen in the palace chapel of Charlemagne (p.357, Fig. 15.13). During the later High Middle ages, two periods of art known as the Romanesque (1050-1200) and the Gothic (1200-1400) are born and spread from northern France. The Romanesque art style is best represented through the churches/chapels being rapidly built during that time, boasting the massive, thick stone walls with round arches and barrel-vaulted stone ceilings that are reminiscent of ancient Roman architecture. A French abbot named Suger wanted to further develop the grandeur of these churches, believing that an ideal church should reach up to the heavens, and carry harmonious characteristics. This introduced the new Gothic art style, which is represented in the cathedrals in France through their stained-glass windows, pointed arches, and flying buttresses (Getlein, p.359).
References
Getlein, M. Living with Art. [BryteWave]. Retrieved from https://shelf.brytewave.com/#/books/9781259360640/
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9 hours ago
Kyle Graham
Week Two
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Part One:
There are many cultural and developmental changes that occured between the Neolithic and Paleolithic period. As life and living conditions evolved from struggling to survive, to a more built up city area more focus was able to be put into art and design and other things. One of these changes is the development of more durable materials in art media and tools. According to Getlein in 'Living With Art 2011' there are four different ways that art survives through time. New and more durable tools and art material helped to prevent art from depreciating. Another example he gives is the climate in places like egypt, this hot dry climate helps works made of clay and stone to remain in tact for longer. The more developed area with structures housed the most valuable pieces protecting them from the elements, or the pieces were stored in areas with little to no access to them such as tombs or caves. A piece that struck me as a large change was the statue of 'Constantine the Great' (Fig. 15.5, Pg. 352). This was made of Marble, a much more durable than piece from the paleolithic era which were made predominantly of limestone. One of the biggest differences that I noticed in the readings was that the artworks shifted from items such as statues and artifacts, to pieces that were created in association with buildings or larger works. By creating murals as a part of a larger structure they could not be transported or handled wrongly and possibly damaged.
Part Two:
The roman empire in its vast amount of land, like all large entities had to be divided. Constantinople, the main hub of the empire became Byzantium. This capital city became, according to the roman empire much more important than the rest of their land. Perhaps this is why the culture and history thrived more than other cities which eventually fell. Art from this era, and region surpasses most other art due to its intricacy and value. Pieces were made of very rare materials like gold and ivory, such as ‘Plaque with enthroned virgin and child’ (Fig. 15.10, Pg. 355). There is other evidence to point specific works towards certain regions. Works such as ‘Purse over from the Sutton Hoo Ship burial’ (Fig. 15.11, Pg. 356). This represents a term called animal style, coined from the ancestors of Northwestern Europeans which were migratory herders. A style called Carolingian, named after the emperor Charlemagne. These arts are very intricate pieces similar to the piece stated above, ‘Plaque with enthroned virgin and child’. Other than pieces of art two styles arose, these were Romanesque and Gothic. These two styles of architecture are similar in appearance, but have small details that make them distinct. Romanesque designs are very ornate and detailed. The church of ST. Foy (Pg. 358) is one of the earliest examples of romanesque design. Notice the tall spire and how the roof moves in horizontally and then proceeds upwards, this keeps your focus around the horizontal ring of the spire. Compare this to the gothic style is defined by tall, cascading designs, drawing the eye upwards when viewing it, such as the south tower of Chartres Cathedral, France. This tower goes almost straight up towards the sky.
Jennifer Steinhauer
DB 2, week 2
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Part 1:
The Paleolithic (Paleo, meaning old. Lithic, meaning stone) period took place between 2.6 million years ago to 10,000 years ago. The Paleolithic period was also known as the Old Stone Age. The New Stone Age, or the Neolithic (Neo, meaning New) period took place starting around 10,000 B.C. and ending between 4,500 B.C. and 2,000 B.C.
It was the people of the Paleolithic period that created rough stone tools and discovered fire. These people survived by being hunters and gatherers. They lived in caves and huts. The art of this time consisted of cave paintings.
The people of the Neolithic period created farm equipment, such as plows, which were much needed since their discovery of agriculture. The Neolithic people also used tools with polished stones. They lived in homes made of mud bricks that were supported by wood, therefore, the art of this time period were wall paintings.
Art preservation depends on a few things according to Getlein. First, the material used must be somewhat resilient, like stone or metal. Second, the environment must be non-destructive. Also, the culture must be highly organized and affluent. Lastly, the artwork must be securely stored with little, to no access to ensure preservation. The wall paintings and the cave paintings of these periods were preserved since they were in a dry environment, had limited access, and the paintings were created on stone. Had these paintings been created on the outside of the cave walls, or on a rock/stone that was unprotected from the elements, it would not have survived. Without these paintings, we would not be allowed a glimpse into the past, and develop ideas about the people and traditions that once were.
Part 2:
The Byzantine Empire was the eastern continuation of the Roman Empire after the Western Roman Empire's fall in the fifth century CE. It lasted from the fall of the Roman Empire until the Ottoman conquest in 1453. The Byzantine Empire shifted its capital from Rome to Constantinople, changed the official religion to Christianity, and changed the official language from Latin to Greek. The Byzantine Empire was a society that was dominated by its military and used this to expand its territory.
The art from the Byzantine Empire was very impressive. The interior of the Palace Chapel of Charlemagne, Aachen, 792-805 (Getlein, Fig. 1 5.13, P. 357). This style is considered to be Carolingian. Named so after a member of the Carolingian dynasty. Relating to the Frankish dynasty, founded by Charlemagne’s father (Pepin III) that ruled in western Europe from 750to 987.
Romanesque is a style of architecture which prevailed in Europe c. 900–1200, although sometimes dated back to the end of the Roman Empire (5th century). A beautiful representation of this style can be seen in a still standing church, The Church of Saint-Foy, in France (Getlein, Fig 15.14, P.358).
During the 12thcentury, or what is known as the High Middle Ages, the Gothic style emerged. Gothic isthe style of architecture prevalent in western Europe in the 12th–16th centuries, characterized by pointed arches, rib vaults, and flying buttresses, together with large windows and elaborate tracery. An impressive representation of Gothic style can be seen in the beautiful pointed arches in Cathedrals, like the Nave, Cathedral of Notre Dame de Reims, France. 1211-c.1290. (Getlein. Fig. 13.11, P. 292) and in the stained glass in Cathedrals, such as the Rose window and lancets, north transept, Charles Cathedral, (Getlein. Fig. 15.23, P. 362).
Animal motifs were also seen in art, a great example is Page with lion, from The Gospel Book of Durrow, Scotland, (Getlein. Fig 15.12. P. 357). This is known as Animal Style, which is an approach to decoration found from China to Northern Europe in the early Iron Age, and the barbarian art of the Migration Period, characterized by its emphasis on animal motifs.
References:
Getlein, M. (2016). Living with art. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill Education.
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