- 1. Art History: The Ancient Far East Banpo, China Ancient
Japan
2. Terms to Know: Earthenware: Pottery made of clay that hasbeen
fired to a porous state. Porous: Permeable to water and/or air.
Lugs: Small knob-like handle on the side of avessel. Kiln: An oven
designed to heat ceramicmaterial. Bisque: A firing process for
ceramics where thematerial is fired and hardened without a glaze.
3. Terms to Know: Glaze: A liquid solution that, when applied
tobisqued ceramics, can add decorative qualitiesand extra
protection to the ceramic work. Whenfired again, it hardens into a
glass-like coating. Vitrification: The process of turning a
substancelike glaze into a glass-like coating. Relief: A sculptural
work that is projected off ofa two-dimensional surface. Bas-Relief:
A relief where the sculpture is raisedslightly over the
two-dimensional surface. High-Relief: A relief where the sculpture
isprojected far away from the background. 4. Parts of a Vessel 5.
Banpo (Circa 5,000 BCE) Discovered in the 1950s. One of the
earliest permanent villages found inAsia. Considered to be a
precursor to Yangshaoculture. Much like all early civilizations,
this was a river-based society. It was situated near the WeiRiver.
6. Banpo Society Used mud and wood in their constructionefforts.
The village was surrounded by a large ditch,assumed to be a
protective moat. Relied on aquatic food more than landagriculture.
7. Pottery Banpo was one of the first civilizations todevelop the
kiln. A kiln is a large oven designedto heat ceramic material to
extremetemperatures. Some of these kilns could havereached nearly
1000 degrees Celsius. Banpo society would also paint their ware
intwo colors, red and black. 8. 4,800 BCE Added lugs. Designed to
sit in water. 9. 2,000 BCE 10. Ancient Japan: Jomon Culture(14,000
300 BCE) In circa 20,000 BCE, a community of nomadscrossed a land
bridge from Korea to Japan. Itmarked the beginning of the Jomon
culture. They are well known for their pottery carvedfrom stone,
and later molded through clay. They had developed kilns that could
reachtemperatures of nearly 900 degrees Celsius. 11. Jomon
PeopleThe early potters lived during the Jomon period (c. 11,000
400BCE), named for the patterns on much of the pottery
theyproduced. They made functional earthenware vessels,probably
originally imitating reed baskets, by building them upwith coils of
clay, then firing them in bonfires at relatively
lowtemperatures.They also created small humanoid figures known as
dogu,which were probably effigies that manifested a kind
ofsympathetic magic. Around 5000 BCE agriculture emergedwith the
planting and harvesting of beans and gourds. 12. Jomon Pottery The
term Jomon means rope-patterned. Thisrope pattern has become a
distinctive quality inthe style of Middle and Late Jomon
ceramicworks. Large Jomon pottery was typically narrow andlong at
the base and eventually widenedtowards the lip. Considered to be
earthenware, and lacks aproper glaze. Bisque fired. Not vitrified.
13. Stone Pot (Circa 10,000 BCE)Jomon Culture 14. Pit-Fired Kiln
15. Middle Jomon Work (3,000-2,000BCE) 16. Jomon decorative works
17. Late Jomon Pottery(3,000-2,000 BCE) 18. Dogu Famous sculptures
from the Jomon people. Small works portraying a woman deity.
Traditional qualities: wide hips, slender waist,large eyes,
decorative incisions made on thefigures body. Likely used for
spiritual purposes. Possiblysuggests fertility. 19. Dogu Types:
Heart-Shaped 20. Dogu Types: Horned-Owl 21. Dogu Types: Goggle-Eyed
22. Dogu Types: Pregnant Woman 23. MesopotamiaStele of
Naram-SinAkkadianc. 2200 BCc. 6 7" tall 24. Terms to Know:
Metallurgy: The practice of experimentation andproduction of
metals. Manuscript: Any form of hand-writtendocument.
Mortise-and-Tenon Joint: Simpleslot-based joint that joins twoitems
at a 90 degree angle.Used mostly by woodworkersand metallurgists
25. Terms to Know: Negative Space: Empty space around a figureor
object. Can be the area between thesubjects legs or the sky around
the figure. Facade: The front of an architectural structure. Ground
Plan: An overhead view of the layout ofa structure. It is
essentially a map of thestructure. Capital: The top element of a
column. Patron/Patronage: Individuals or groups whosupport the arts
financially. 26. Where are we?Mesopotamia A geographical location
situated in between theTigris and Euphrates River also known as
theFertile Crescent. The region is predominantly inIraq, but also
extends into Syria and Turkey. The name means Land Between Rivers
Also identified as the Cradle of Civilization Low lying dry plains
made each communityhighly susceptible to attack from outsiders.
Lack of resources meant that mud would be theprimary building
material. 27. When are we?3,500 BCE 641 CE In its most basic
division of art andachievement, Mesopotamian works can
becategorized into two broad periods, Bronze Ageand Iron
Age.-Bronze Age (3,600 BCE -1,200 BCE)*-Iron Age (1,300 BCE 600
BCE)**Bronze Age and Iron Age of Mesopotamia: This is the range
provided toMesopotamia alone. The Bronze and Iron Age began at
different timesdepending on the the location and the advancements
of its people. 28. Major Features of the Bronze Age(3,600 BCE 1,200
BCE) Urbanized society Proto-writing transitions into writing.
Copper and bronze materials begin to replacethe bluntness of stone.
29. Major Features of the Iron Age(1,300 BCE 600 BCE) Mastery of
metallurgical practice(experimentation with metals). Advanced
fromprimitive alloys (a metallic mixture like copper tomore advance
iron-based alloys like steel. Improvements in written records and
literature. 30. Art History of the Ancient Near East 31. Who are we
looking at?Civilization Time Period LocationSumeria 3500-2340
IraqNeo-Sumeria 2150-2000 IraqAkkadia 2340-2180 IraqBabylonia
1792-1750 IraqNoe-Babylonia 612-539 IraqHittite 1600-1200
TurkeyAssyria 1000-612 IraqPersia 559-331 Iran 32. Cradle of
Civilization These societies were the first to introduce:-organized
government-organized religion-bronze casting-writing-city-states
33. Overview of Mesopotamian ArtHistory: Mesopotamian art
introduced art as a means ofstrengthening the state, government,
andreligion (propaganda art). Art through mythology and
anthropomorphicfigures tied to new religious cultures. First
organized narrative works (Lion Reliefs ofAssyria). Kings become
the first patrons. Theyunderstand art to be a tool of power and
amethod of preserving ones legacy. The permanence of community
allowed forlarger sculptures, paintings, and reliefs. 34.
Mesopotamia and Architecture Used mud brick. Buildings did not
serve the sole purpose ofproviding shelter, but also provided a
location ofgovernance and worship. 35. Ziggurat Considered to be
the first large-scale functionalstructures in the world. Created as
large temples that may have servedsome political purposes as well.
Mesopotamianculture was polytheistic, and it is suspected thateach
of these ziggurats belonged to one deity. Made from baked mud
bricks. Porous state ofthe bricks made the vulnerable to erosion,
butthe abundance of mud bricks made repairs asimple procedure. 36.
Subject Matter of Mesopotamia Human figure: Human portrayal
inMesopotamia returns to more representationalshapes and forms.
Humans are now wearing aclothes and are more anatomically
correct.Common depictions involve praying, hunting,battles, and
rituals Lamassus: Anamorphic creature that is partman, part bull,
and part bird. 37. Example of a Lamassu 38. Cuneiform The first
written language. It was carved intoclay with a stylus
(wedge-shaped tool). Began as pictographic symbols and were
laterabstracted into a series of logograms. Used to record taxes,
documents, andliterature. New narratives and epics arise from
thisinnovation. Illustrations oftentimesaccompanied these stories.
39. Cylinder Seal Depressed carvings of various scenesengraved on
small cylinders. Introduced in 3,500 BCE in the city of Uruk. These
were personalized works that oftendepicted short stories. The
themes of whichwere related to heroic myths, social life,
orreligious significance. Made from stone or glass. Rolled on
doors, amulets, cloth, bricks, andenvelopes. 40. Exploring the
CulturesCivilization Time Period LocationSumeria 3500-2340
IraqNeo-Sumeria 2150-2000 IraqAkkadia 2340-2180 IraqBabylonia
1792-1750 IraqNoe-Babylonia 612-539 IraqHittite 1600-1200
TurkeyAssyria 1000-612 IraqPersia 559-331 Iran 41. Sumeria3500-2340
Earliest Mesopotamian art. Human subjects are clothed. Social
statusvisually manifests itself through scale andamount of clothes
worn. Balanced sizes between man and woman. Introduced negative
space to sculptural forms. Figures are static. 42. Tell Asmar
Statues, EshnunnaTemple 2,700 BCERow 1 Row 2 Row 3 Row
4024681012Column 1Column 2Column 3 43. Tell Asmar Statues Votive
Figures: Representational sculpturesthat are dedicated to a deity.
These figures were set up in front of a largerimage of their deity.
These sculptures were purchased by donorscommitted to their god or
goddess and servedas stand-ins. The figures are perpetually in
prayed. Major qualities: Gaze, folded hands, clothesprovide a
cylindrical form. These figures had inscriptions on their
backdenoting that their were committed to worship. 44. Bronze Age
Theme: Human isSuperior to Human 45. Ziggurat (4,000 BCE - 600 BCE)
Sumarian mud-brick stepped pyramidstructures of worship. Towering
monuments meant to get the priestsand nobles closer to the gods.
Walls were built at a slight angle to help watertrickle down the
structure. Buttress: Architectural projections set againstthe
exterior wall of a structure to serve asfurther support. The
majority of the structures mass came fromthe base. A small temple
would sit on top. 46. Akkadia2340-2180 Akkadians came from northern
Sumer. Little isknown of their culture priory to their conquestfor
the Fertile Crescent. Under the leadership of Sargon I in 2340
BCE,the Akkadians took over Sumeria, making Kishtheir capital and
later in Akkad. Sargon ruled the worlds first empire, spanningfrom
the Mediterranean to the Persian Gulf. They preserved Sumerian
culture andcuneiform. 47. Akkadian Art Introduction of deification
of royal figures. Theydo not rule under the guidance of gods,
butrather stand in line, if not above them. Rulers like Sargon I
would be come legendsthrough imagery and literature. Their
mythsoutlasted their society. Stelai (Stele): A large stone marker
indicatingan important religious or political narrative.Some were
used as burial markers. 48. Head of Akkadian Ruler2,300 BCE - 2,200
BCE Unknown subject. Could be arepresentation of idealized
manrather than a realistic portrait. Life-size Braided hair
represents royalty. Damage in the eyes and earsmay come from
iconoclasticpractices of ensuing rulers. 49. Victory Stelle of
Naram-Sin(2254 BCE - 2218 BCE)Akkadian Naram-Sin, grandson of
Sargon I, marches upthe mountain, towards the heavens. Suns
represent the gods approval. Emphasis on the hierarchy of scale.
Symbolizes his achievement, but not anaccurate depiction of the
event. Intentionallyexaggerated. 50. Lyre Soundbox 2,600 BCE, Ur
Materials used, lapis lazuli, wood, and gold. Part of a string
instrument known as a lyre. Theme of its registers are not known,
but itincorporates many anthropomorphic figures. The human figures
are in frontal position whilethe animals are in full profile. This
work was part of a larger instrument. Likethe Standard of Ur, it
was used as a funeraryoffering. 51. Standard of Ur, 2,600 BCE
Mosaic: A work created by the assembly ofsmall pieces of glass,
stone or other coloredmaterial. Materials used: limestone, lapis
lazuli, andshells. Sumarian artifact uncovered from an ancientroyal
cemetery. Double-sided historical narrative: war andpeace Could
have been a fragment of a largerinstrument. 52. War 53. Peace 54.
Standard of Urs Narrative: War: An unnamed king examines the
aftermathof a battle. The king only appears in the top
row(register). Peace: The king celebrates at a large banquet.He is
accompanied by six nobles. The lowerscenes depict peasants parading
anassortment of animals and food. Facial features of each subjects
(even slaves)are considered with strong detail. 55. Ziggurat of Ur,
circa 2,100 BCENeo-Sumerian 56. Characteristics Corners pointed
incardinal directions. Stairs led from threedirections to a
guardpost. Mountainous form Dedicated to thegoddess of themoon, Sin
/ Nanna. 57. Gudea, circa 2,100 BCE. LagashNeo-Sumerian One of
twenty remaining sculptures ofthis king. Gudea, ruler of Lagash,
was dedicated torebuilding temples and committed himselfto the
cause through votive figures. Small and made from diorite, a
preciousimported stone. Presents himself as calm and peaceful.
Similar to older Sumerian aesthetics, hiseyes are widened to
perpetually worshiphis deities. 58. Babylon1792-1750 Founded by
Hammurabi of the Amorites. First evidence of uniformity through
written law. Babylonian worshiped the Sumerian gods. Revival of
Sumerian culture and language. Introduced glazed tiles. 59. Stele
of Hammurabi, 1780 BCEBabylon The Sun god, Shamash, hands
Hammurabikeys to the city. First set of written laws engraved over
theentire surface. The relief on the top suggests that
Shamashcrafted these 300 laws and gave them toHammurabi. Hammurabi
directly interacts with Shamash.Shamash has a fuller beard and is
therefore stillconsidered more significant to Babyloniansociety.
60. If any one ensnareanother, putting a banupon him, but he can
notprove it, then he thatensnared him shall beput to death.If any
one bring anaccusation of any crimebefore the elders, anddoes not
prove what hehas charged, he shall, ifit be a capital
offensecharged, be put to death. 61. If any one bring an accusation
against a man, and theaccused go to the river and leap into the
river, if he sink inthe river his accuser shall take possession of
his house.But if the river prove that the accused is not guilty,
and heescape unhurt, then he who had brought the accusationshall be
put to death, while he who leaped into the rivershall take
possession of the house that had belonged tohis accuser.If a judge
try a case, reach a decision, and present hisjudgment in writing;
if later error shall appear in hisdecision, and it be through his
own fault, then he shall paytwelve times the fine set by him in the
case, and he shallbe publicly removed from the judges bench, and
neveragain shall he sit there to render judgment. 62. If any one
steal the property of a temple or of the court, heshall be put to
death, and also the one who receives thestolen thing from him shall
be put to death.If any one buy from the son or the slave of another
man,without witnesses or a contract, silver or gold, a male
orfemale slave, an ox or a sheep, an ass or anything, or if hetake
it in charge, he is considered a thief and shall be putto death.If
any one steel cattle or sheep, or an ass, or a pig or agoat, if it
belong to a god or to the court, the thief shall paythirtyfold; if
they belonged to a freed man of the king heshall pay tenfold; if
the thief has nothing with which to payhe shall be put to death.
63. If any one lose an article, and find it in the possession
ofanother: if the person in whose possession the thing is foundsay
"A merchant sold it to me, I paid for it before witnesses,"and if
the owner of the thing say, "I will bring witnesses whoknow my
property," then shall the purchaser bring the merchantwho sold it
to him, and the witnesses before whom he bought it,and the owner
shall bring witnesses who can identify hisproperty. The judge shall
examine their testimony-both of thewitnesses before whom the price
was paid, and of thewitnesses who identify the lost article on
oath. The merchant isthen proved to be a thief and shall be put to
death. The ownerof the lost article receives his property, and he
who bought itreceives the money he paid from the estate of the
merchant.If the purchaser does not bring the merchant and the
witnessesbefore whom he bought the article, but its owner
bringwitnesses who identify it, then the buyer is the thief and
shall beput to death, and the owner receives the lost article. 64.
Hittite (1600 BCE -1200 BCE) Coming from Turkey, The Hittites had
access tomore resources like stone. They often set large uncut
boulders at the baseof their fortifications. 65. Hattusha, 1,400
BCE. TurkeyHittite Lower walls were constructed from stone,
whilethe upper portion was made of mud brick. The stones at the
base served as frames forportals and as a platform for high
reliefsculptures. Lion Gate: A high relief of two lions
protrudingout of the lower stone. They stand asguardians. 66. Lion
Gate of Hattusha 67. Assyria1000 BCE - 612 BCE Militaristic
society. Expanded on the fortification techniques of theHittites.
Used shallow stone base for walls.Some walls extended to five miles
in length. Begin to use limestone and alabaster for morecommon
structures such as houses. Portals were often accompanied by
Lamassu. Walls decorated in low relief scenes of religiousritual,
war campaigns, and royal activities. 68. Dur-Sharrukin (Palace of
Sargon II)721 BCE 69. Dur-Sharrukin (Palace of Sargon II)721 BCE
Walls neared 40 feet in height. Covered in narrative and political
propaganda. Lamassu lined the portal entrances. The kings courtyard
was covered in low reliefscenes of people offering their tribute to
theking. Featured a ziggurat with seven steps (eachapproximately 18
feet tall). 70. Lamassu Guardian figures ofMesopotamia. Part bull,
bird and man. Stoic in frontal view,while in motion onprofile. 71.
Nineveh Assyrian city ruled by Assurnasirpal (reigned669 BCE 627
BCE). Depicts several royal scenes throughout thecity in alabaster
low-relief. 72. Lion Hunt, 640 BCE Nineveh Bold contours Emotions
in the animals,but not humans. Lion is a representationof the beast
of nature.Dominating the beastcan be interpreted asdominating
nature. Commemorates anactual royal hunt. 73. Neo-Babylonia612-539
Revival of old Babylonian culture after the fall ofthe Assyrians.
Notable rulers: Nebuchadnezzar I and II. Fell to the Persians under
Cyrus the Great 74. Ishtar Gate, 575 BCEBabylon Gate was situated
at the end of a major roadinto Babylon. It was the ceremonious
entrance. Mud brick interior with a blue glass glaze on theoutside.
Lions and dragons (Marduk, god of war andpatron god of Babylon),
bulls (Adad, god ofstorms), and lions (Ishtar, goddes of love
andsex) portrayed around the gate. Four crenelated towers. 75.
Persia559-331 Far more expansive than any other
previousMesopotamian empires. Considered to be current day Iran
Primary religion was Zoroastrianism Notable rulers: Darius I and
Xerxes I 76. Persepolis (550 BCE - 330 BCE) Constructed under the
rule of Darius the Great(Darius I) and Xerxes. Built upon a
man-made terrace. Though the complex consisted of somepalaces, its
primary function was to hostfestivals and receptions. Built from
mud and stone Most reliefs depict visitors arriving at the site
topay tribute. Design and some construction provided byBabylonian,
Egyptian, and Greek cultures. 77. Treasury Possessed the wealth of
Persian Empire. Maintained by up to 1,200 people. 78. Apadana An
audience hall in aPersian Palace. Visitors awaited theking and paid
tributehere. 70 x 70 Meters The Apadana ofPersepolis wasconstructed
underthe rule of Darius theGreat. 79. Columns of the Apadana
Decorative and utilitarian 30 Meters in height 80. Persepolis
Capital 81. Stair Bas-Relief in Persepolis 82. Portal to the Palace
of Darius 83. Gates of All Nations 84. Bas-Relief of Persepolis 85.
Palace of Shapur I (c. 250 CE) Constructed by Sassanian rulers
Large mud brick Apadana Much of the architectural features
wereinfluenced by Roman design (barrel vaultingand blind arcades).
86. Palace of Shapur I (c. 250 CE) 87. Arcades Arcade: A series of
columns set in a row,connected by arches. Blind Arcade: A series of
columns also set in arow, but sealed by a wall. 88. Example of the
Sassanians RomanInfluence
