Final Week

This quarter was very interesting! I really enjoyed all the sculpture and pottery, especially in the time periods of prehistoric times and of ancient Greece. The prehistoric art, which I really enjoyed all of it, had a fascinating look and history. The Greece art, I really mostly enjoyed the sculpture and pottery, and just the aesthetics of the art.

Prehistoric art, as I said before was all interesting. I really liked the controversy with some of the pieces, and the fact that they were made so long ago, we may never know what the real intention of the art was. I particularly liked The Lion-Human (pg.5 in the Ancient Art book) I found the lack of knowledge… or perhaps just the different view point the people from this time period had. Mixing the human form with an animal form, this was not like the Egyptian art, which were worshiped. But the prehistoric people seemed to have a unique and innocent form of art. Just the material in the Lion-Human sculpture is fascinating. Some parts are carved intentionally, and the artist used the grooves, and cracks in the wood to enhance the form. The Lion-Human is sculpted in the round, which automatically makes me want to pick it up and examine it!

Another piece I am partial to is on page 21 in the Ancient Art history book. Early Pottery: Franchthi Cave, Greece, I loved this little pot! It is pottery in one of its earliest forms, and one of the simplest forms of pottery. Although there is no decoration or design, I feel like the color of the clay and the uneven and lumpy parts on the pot make it look very authentic, real, and beautiful. It also makes in interesting and special because it was the beginning of the widespread art form of pottery. It was one of the ‘founding fathers’ if you will.

Greece art. This was an amazing time period for art too. By this time the pottery has become extremely elegant and detailed. The ceramic vessel call Funerary Krater (pg. 103 Ancient Art history text book) is a huge difference then the little pot made in the prehistoric times. It has a narrow foot and a wide all the way up from the body to the lip. This vessel was made for a person who died, and is connected to the importance of the person. The pot shows people morning with their hands to their head with anguish. So much anguish they are pulling their own hair out. But this vessel was made during the geometric period which explains the explicit shapes. There are line, triangles, rectangles, diagonals, spirals, cross-hatching covering this piece of pottery. It gives it a very detailed and precise look to the vessel.

Overall, this class is very interesting. Love looking at the different styles and meanings each piece of art holds. I never really looked into the formal analyses of art, and really looking at the style, compositions, different types of sculpture, all of it, was really remarkable. But overall Prehistoric and Ancient Greece art are my favorite.

Week 9: The Hildesheim Cathedral

The Hildesheim Cathedral doors have panels with intricate carvings of scenes from the Bible. On one side of the panel it portrays the creation Adam and Eve, to the murder of Abel. On the other side of the door the panels portray scenes from the New Testament. It starts at the Annunciation and goes to the Noli me tangere. These two panels were paired together make the door a whole. All the events that are shown in the left panel which shows the Old Testament are countered by the right side panels by events that happened in the New Testament. There is not a huge difference in style or composition between the two panels, but I do see the panels show more, what you could call modernization once the New Testament scenes start to be depicted. But the meanings in each panel are related to each other.

The left side of the door has panel from the creation of Adam and Eve to Cain’s murder of his brother Abel. This panel is read from the top to bottom. The first scene is God creating Eve, and directly under it is God presenting Eve to Adam. It shows life in paradise, with no sin. There is not much background to the scene, because creation had just started. Houses and buildings had not been built yet.  The scenes on the right side of the door complement the creation of Eve and God’s presentation of her to Adam. The right panel is read from bottom to top, so it is the last of the scenes on this door. But it signifies the promise for a return to paradise. The scene shows the three Marys outside of Jesus’ tomb, then the resurrection of Jesus and him getting called back to heaven. The panel on the right side show building in the background, also telling us that this is in later times then the first scene on the left panel. 

The next two panels on the left side of the door depict the temptation and fall that Adam and Eve had, along with the accusation and judgment on them that took place. You can see Adam and Eve picking the forbidden fruit off the tree, and directly below that you can see God coming up to them, and Adam and Eve cowering down with guilt and shame. The scene on the right side of the door complements the fall and judgment with the event that took the sin of Adam and Eve and all who came after away. It shows the judgment that Jesus went through before Pilate, and his crucifixion. 

The next scenes on the left panel are the punishment that Adam and Eve received. They are first kicked out of the garden, then they need to provide for themselves with their own labor. Now you start to see a few buildings in the background of the scene. The panel on the right of the door has the complementary act of the birth of Jesus, and the magi worshiping him. Adam and Eve were put into the world or work and labor, and Jesus was born into the world of work and labor. But Adam and Eve were banned from the Garden; Jesus was being presented to the temple. 

In the last two scenes on the left side of the door are about Eve’s children. It first depicts the offerings that the brothers Cain and Abel made. Adel’s offering was better, and his brother Cain was jealous and murdered Abel. The right side of the door compliments the event from the left side of the door with Mary’s child. The nativity scene is directly across from the offerings of Eve’s children, and the annunciation, or the announcement from God’s angel the Mary was pregnant.

It’s obvious these panels are related to one another and are set up in a manner that shows Jesus as the one who saved and is the reason it is believed that all that went wrong in the beginning is forgiven. All that happen in the beginning, the original sin, is made new, and paradise is still offered.

Week 8: Bust if Cammodus and the Portrait of Caracalla

The two statues, Bust of Cammodus and the Portrait of Caracalla are both statues of power and high authority. It is obvious both of these men are confident. I do not think it takes a specific audience and can be widely understood, although specific groups of people may understand it more clearly than others.

Both statues appear to have a high authority and power. First of all, the fact that the statue is him as Hercules tells us he is God like, and a strong, powerful, and successful leader. The Bust of Commodus as Hercules has a tiger or lion head as a hat or crown, or a victory item, and the claws are wrapped around his neck, holding the cloak up. He is holding a weapon of some kind as well. All these aspects of this statue of this man show power. Defeating the tiger or lion is powerful. His figure is also very chiseled with bold muscles in his arms and chest. His authority not only comes from the power of his physical strength, but in the position he carries himself in. He is up right, relaxed and has a very calm look to his face. It gives me the feeling that he has just finished a long day of battle, and is just about to collapse in tiredness, which is not a sign of weakness. It is a sign of a man who works hard, and defeats (the lion head shows he has had a successful battle). But I feel it is look more so as almost boredom. With his facial expression fairly blank and his eyes part way closed, as if the life he has is not active and vibrant enough to keep him on his toes. The propaganda message this statue sends is mostly his powerful and strong appearance he gives. It would give the people looking at it comfort in knowing that he is capable and strong. 

The Portrait Head of Caracalla also appears to show high authority and power, but in a slightly different way than the Bust of Commodus as Hercules. This statue is only the head of a man. The man in the statue gives off the feeling of power and authority with just his facial expression. He does not need trophies of his success to make him look powerful. His face is very stern. His eyebrows are furrowed and his eyes are looking upward. It gives the impression that he is thinking very hard about something, or looking at something in the distance or above him very intently. When I see his expression it makes me think there is danger and he is concentrating intently on how to handle it. It is a very deep feeling of strength and confidence. His face gives no room for doubt of his leadership, or power.

Both of these statues look very blemish free overall. The edges and lines in the figures are evident and clear. But I feel like the Bust of Commondus as Hercules is slightly more idealized then the Portrait head or Caracalla just because the Bust of Commodus has the lion head and claws, and the large weapon, whereas Portrait head of Caracalla is a more realistic facial expression and no extra props to show his power.

Week 7: Parthenon Marbles

The beautiful Parthenon Marbles are currently located in London, and came from Athens. The Marbles never should have made it to the British Museum in the first place. It was a very selfish move on Lord Elgin part to have such an amazing piece of art with such a grand historical background brought from its original environment to be placed in his personal home. But now that it has been in London for a while, I think it may as well stay there. The fact that the British Museum focuses more on aesthetics over historical context bothered me at first, but I have come to the conclusion that either way is okay. It is based off of the culture, values, and goals of the British Museum. 

Having the British museum focus on the aesthetics more than the historical aspect of the marble like I said before, bothered me at first. Why would people want to see study artwork that was no longer in its original form? It takes away part of the story behind the art. It is sad to see art being gushed over, when it’s not even close to how it was created to be. But I decided, just because the marble is no longer in the original form, does not mean it is not beautiful, and does not mean it is no longer a piece of art. It can be admired simply for the talent it took to make it. London and much of the world really value the aesthetics in art, so it is not a surprise they value the aesthetics over the history in this particular piece. 

 The Parthenon Marble has been very popular in London, and considering the hundreds of art students who have used it as a tool of study just gives the marbles a purpose to stay in London, where it can continue to be seen, and admired. Not that it wouldn’t be in Athens, but I feel like London does get slightly more visitors, and obviously has already had many art students already pass through looking and studying the Parthenon Marbles. 

Overall, it is ok that the Parthenon Marbles stay in the British Museum, although I think the original intent of their movement was selfish, there is not a pressuring reason for the Marble to be moved back to Athens, other than the people who are upset that it is gone…. Well it was saved from getting completely destroyed. So there is not much to complain about. The perspective of looking more at the aesthetics then the history is just how many pieces of art are looked at, especially if the art no longer is in its original form.

Week 5: Woman or Goddess with Snakes and Ruler of Gudea

                    The two pieces of art, Votive Statue of Gudea, page 37 in the book and Woman or Goddess with Snakes on page 88 in the book. Both of these figures are important and a position of high power, considering one was a ruler and the other a possible goddess and are both wearing some kind or crown or hat. Yet they look completely different. There physical form is very different, as is their style of clothing. The Ruler of Gudea has a much more simplistic feel, a quiet confidence, and the key to life. On the other hand the woman or goddess had many details, and colors, and is holding snakes which for many cultures are considered evil, and a sign of death.

                     The Ruler of Gudea seems very simply composed compared to the woman/goddess with the snakes. He has a realistic look, soft edges, strong composure and the detailed writing on his robe he does not have the busy detailed look the woman has because of the lack of color. The Ruler of Gudea has some smooth places, such as the top of the robe, his arms, and face resulting in a more simplistic look. The Ruler of Gudea with his stern and relaxed form, while holding the cup of overflowing water also has a look of confidence. The woman/goddess has many more curves, and limbs, and spaces surrounding her body. Her arms are out from her body making more space. The woman has a long dress with folds of beautiful color in her skirt and her body is painted, along with intricate designs everywhere on her clothing. Her waist is very small; I feel it is slightly unrealistic. The woman or goddess with all her decoration , detail, color and the posture of holding two snakes up in either hand makes her look confidant in herself, or perhaps in what she stands for. But she is also holding two snakes. As soon as I see the two snakes I think of deception, evil, and death. When I see the ruler I see water overflowing with fish swimming, well, I think of life, healthiness, and power. I am pretty sure there are very few civilizations that viewed snakes as a positive thing…especially when being held up in a position of, “I am going to stab something with these snakes.” (That’s what is come across to me anyway)  So the women/goddess gives me the feeling of deception. I keep thinking of it as, a beautiful woman with a deadly ‘pet’. Then there is the ruler. I see life in the kind face of the ruler. He has overflowing amount of water, and fish. He carries and provides both food and water. The woman or goddess, has sharper straighter lines, while the ruler has softer appearance. I feel the ruler was obvious a good person, who helped his people. But I would really like to know exactly who this woman was, and what her purpose was.