A History of Western Art

Prehistoric

Period: 40,000 BCE to 3000 BCE

Before written history.

Woman from Willendorf / Paleolithic Era / 24,000 - 22,000 BCE

24,000 BCE

Found in 1908 by the Austro-Hungarian archaeologist Josef Szombathy, this is an important artifact due to it being one of the oldest artifacts found from the Paleolithic Era. With it, we can hypothesize about how the people from that era lived and what was important to them. The figure is small enough to be carried around, allowing it to be carried and moved from place to place. Emphasis on the breasts and crotch as well as the overall roundness suggest importance in fertility and child-rearing.

Hall of Bulls / Paleolithic Era / 15,000 BCE

15,000 BCE

Found in 1940, the Lascaux Caves are important because of the numerous drawings that have been preserved. With formal analysis, we can theorize that the one(s) who drew the bulls worked carefully with their lines (they're not messy) and attempted to portray 3D space on a 2D plane by manipulating the sizes of the bulls (with the larger ones being closer and the smaller ones being farther). The large size of the cave can also help us hypothesize that perhaps it was used for rituals or meetings.

Çatalhöyük / Neolithic Era / 9,000 - 6,000 BCE

6000 BCE

Çatalhöyük is an important Neolithic era site because of the architect and artwork it has provided in order to identify the transition from a nomadic lifestyle to a settlement one. People and wild animals have been drawn on walls, sculpted into figures, or carved into stone. Because of this, it has been hypothesized that perhaps the figures (due to their poor states) had been used for good luck and the drawings for teaching.

City of Uruk / Sumerians(?) / Bronze & Iron Ages / 3200 - 3000 BCE

3000 BCE

The city of Uruk is important because it is thought to be known as "the first city in world history." This is due to its size and also because of the text written in proto-cuneiform on many clay tablets which have been deciphered to be lists of important occupations as well as recorded economic data. It is through these tablets that the rebus principle was realized in which symbols could represent "both an object and a concept."

Non-Prehistoric

Period: 3000 BCE to 1700

After the appearance of writing.

The Palette of Narmer / Early Dynastic Period / 2950 - 2150 BCE

2950 BCE

The Palette of Narmer is important because it symbolizes the unification of Upper and Lower Egypt and places importance on the first king conquering his enemies. While telling a story, it is believed that this palette was also used in religious ceremonies due to its size and weight. The circular area where the necks of two beasts are elongated is thought to be where the king's eye makeup was made.

Great Pyramids of Giza / 4th Dynasty / 2575 - 2450 BCE

2450 BCE

The Great Pyramid of Giza, the tomb of the pharaoh Khufu of the 4th Dynasty of Egypt, is most importantly known as one of the Seven Wonders of the World. This is because the size and weight of the blocks that make up the structure are so large and heavy and are also so precisely placed that it's a mystery how the people at the time were even able to build such structures. It is believed that they were able to accomplish this because of their power, stability, wealth, and resources.

Seated Scribe / 5th Dynasty / 2450 - 2324 BCE

2324 BCE

Among the statues found tied with Ancient Egypt, this one is important because of how unusual it is compared to the others. His seated position is thought to be reserved for those of the royal family, possibly representing him as someone of importance. He is intricately made, from the position of his hand and the papyrus scroll on his lap, down to his most stunning feature: his face- particularly, his eyes, inlaid with polished crystals.

Stele of Naram-Sin / Akkadians / Bronze & Iron Ages / 2254 - 2218 BCE

2218 BCE

The Stele of Naram-Sin is an important artifact because it marks a height in the Akkadian Empire. Formal analysis establishes the king's power, victory, and importance over the defeated people, while the writing itself found on the stele proclaims he is, "king of the four quarters of the universe."

Stele of Hammurabi / Bronze & Iron Ages / Babylonians / 1792 - 1750 BCE

1750 BCE

The Stele of Hammurabi is important because it is one of the oldest artifacts with the longest amount of writing that has been deciphered. It is also called the Code of Hammurabi because it states a series of laws and punishments which appear to have been recorded based on actual rulings. Through formal analysis, the relief at the top symbolizes Hammurabi being handed the laws by a divine being while portraying that Hammurabi himself is also an important figure by being on the same level.

Anavysos Kouros / Archaic Period / 600 - 480 BCE

530 BCE

"Kouros" means "youth." This Anavysos Kouros is important because in comparison to other Kouros before it and to the human form, it shows the progress of sculpture becoming more lifelike and naturalistic. Rather than details being drawn on, they're actually shaped and rounded out. It gives a nice flow and consistency to the form which helps it look more realistic. However, there are details such as the archaic smile and fists connected to legs which prevent it from fully achieving that feel.

Krater with the Death of Sarpedon / Archaic Period / 600 - 480 BCE

515 BCE

Krater with the Death of Sarpedon is an example of red figure pottery. It shows Sarpedon, a son of Zeus, being lifted by two winged beings to carry him off after his death during the Trojan War. This is important because it signifies the worry of the body being neglected after death. Also, Sarpedon's frontal view of the body distinctly shows the beauty of youth as can be seen with the lines detailing his abs and the peaceful look on his face to symbolize the high honor of dying in battle.

Kritios Boy / Late Archaic Period / 600 - 480 BCE

480 BCE

Kritios Boy is important because it was created between the Late Archaic and the Early Classical style sculpture that allows us to see the transition between the styles. It is believed that it was created after a newfound sense of self-determination after the Greeks victory at the Battle of Marathon against the Persians. Rather than having taken a step forward or being completely still compared to its previous counterparts, the form appears to suggest movement that is about to take place.

Darius of Julius Caesar / The Republican Period / 509 - 27 BCE

44 BCE

Julius Caesar was the first Roman politician to have his portrait issued on coins. The fact that he was able to tells of his power, wealth, and influence. This is important because the image of the coin is said to fit Julius Caesar's likeness and because it is the starting point for future rulers to also have their portraits minted on coins, allowing for present day historians to learn the names and faces of the ones who ruled at the time.

Augustus of Primaporta / Claudian Dynasty / 1st Century CE

20 BCE

Augustus of Primaporta is important because it is used as a representation of religious and political power. The chest plate of Augustus' Roman armor has carvings that signify that he has the gods on his side. His outstretched pointer finger commands attention. The Cupid by his leg symbolizes his connection to his adopted father Julius Caesar and to the goddess Venus while the dolphin symbolizes his naval victory against Cleopatra or that he was sent from the gods.

The Taj Mahal / 1632 BCE - 53 CE

53

The Taj Mahal is important as a great architectural achievement. It is theorized that it is the tomb of the Emperor's wife as a "symbol of love" or a representation of a "Divine Throne - the seat of God - on the Day of Judgment." Its structure is astonishingly symmetrical with its intricate gardens, long water channels, red stone gates, and marble structures with Qur'anic verses inscribed. The remains of the emperor and his wife lie underneath cenotaphs in the center of the main chamber.

Wall Paintings of Pompeii / Flavian Emperors / 69 - 96 CE

79

The Wall Paintings of Pompeii are important because paintings are less durable than sculptures and architecture, but the fallen ash from the erupted Mount Vesuvius that covered the Roman villa were able to preserve them for scholars to study. From these studies, four different styles of painting were examined. Greek and Egyptian influences could be seen in these paintings, and the Fourth Style was a mix of the three previous ones, combining paint, sculpture, and architecture together.

The Church of Hagia Sophia / The Golden Age of Justinian / 532 - 537 CE

537

Hagia Sophia means "holy wisdom." Built and rebuilt under Emperor Justinian, it is a great architectural achievement in terms of proportion and spirituality. The capitals of the column are designed in such a way that it seems as if divine power is allowing it to hold weight. From below, the gold dome above appears to float due to the many evenly spaced windows where the sun shines through and reflects light onto the gold mosaic decorating them. The church was used as a connection to the divine.

The Barberini Ivory: The Emperor Triumphant / The Golden Age of Justinian / 527 - 565 CE

565

The Barberini Ivory: The Emperor Triumphant is an important piece of work because of its use of symbolism, registers, hierarchic scale, and high relief sculpture that presents the emperor's militaristic, religious, and political power. In the top register are figures that symbolize blessing and victory. In the center is the emperor on his horse who are portrayed the largest with the greatest motion with foreshortening. Defeated enemies as well as more symbols of victory are below.

Virgin and Child with Saints and Angels / Late 6th Century

600

Virgin and Child with Saints and Angels is an important preservation of Byzantine artwork. We get a sense of hierarchic scale due to the size of the Virgin Mary on the throne: she would be very tall if she were to stand up. The darkness of her clothes and her spot in in the center bring attention towards her, and then to the Child Christ on her lap. Their divinity is displayed with their halos and regal expressions while the angels even more so with their angled heads and more transparent halos.

The Kaaba / 631 - 632 CE

632

The Kaaba [ meaning "cube" in Arabic ] is a square building draped in a silk and cotton veil that acts as a holy site. It is thought to have been created by Abraham and his son Ismail and believe to be the housing place of God. It is the direction in which Muslims pray and is the holiest shrine in Islam. It is the most important pilgrimage site for Muslims to journey to if they are able, in which they pray and walk around the structure in hopes of touching or kissing it.

The Dome of the Rock / 685 - 692 CE

692

The Dome of the Rock is important because it is thought to be one of the first Islamic buildings ever constructed. In the center is a large rock which is said to have been the place where Abraham was about to sacrifice his son Ismail as proof of his believe in God. It is also believed that it was the place where Muhammad was dropped off by the Angel Gabriel one night, who flew him there from where he slept near the Kaaba. At the rock, he journeyed to heaven to meet the other prophets.

Basilica of Saint-Denis / Gothic Period / 1140 - 1144 CE

1144

The Basilica of Saint-Denis is important because it is marked as the birthplace of Gothic art and architecture. Due to the weight of the stone, columns needed thick, heavy walls to support the weight which reduce the space where windows could be placed. However, with the architectural ingenuity to create pointed arches which distributed weight downward rather than out, ribbed vaults and flying buttresses to help channel the weight down as well, more windows could be placed to let light flood in.

Reims Cathedral / Gothic Period / 1211

1211

The jamb statues at Reims Cathedral are important because there are so many of them that line the doorways. They are extremely high relief sculptures that act as pillars but also tell stories to those approaching the entrance. One story is the Annunciation in which the Angel Gabriel is telling the Virgin Mary that she will be the mother of Christ. Another tale is the Visitation where Mary's cousin Elizabeth, pregnant with Saint John the Baptist, comes to visit Mary, who is pregnant with Christ.

Virgin and Child Enthroned /Giotto di Bondone / Gothic Period / 1306 - 1310 CE

1310

Giotto di Bondone's Virgin and Child Enthroned is important because it's believed to lay the foundation to Renaissance painting. The Virgin Mary in the middle has a bold, large presence in the center with contrast of light and shadow than with line. The painting seems to appear more sculptural and there's perspective which includes a sense of space with the figures in the painting as well as the viewer looking at the painting, forming a connection between the earthly and the divine.

Gates of Paradise: Jacob and Esau / Lorenzo Ghiberti / Early Italian Renaissance / 15th Century / 1425 - 1452 CE

1435

The Jacob and Esau bronze panel relief carving is important because it depicts relief bronze carving with a brilliant amount of detail to space and one-point perspective. There's defined use of high relief and low relief carving to set apart figures in the foreground from the background, in addition to the contrast of sizes to each other. It also has a continuous narrative in which the image depicts multiple parts of a story: in this case, the story of Jacob and Esau.

The Last Supper / Leonardo da Vinci / High Italian Renaissance / 1495 - 1498 CE

1498

The Last Supper is important because it shows Leonardo da Vinci's use of the vanishing point, horizontal, lines, and octagonal lines in order to create order and stability in his piece of art. In this painting, the vanishing point is at Jesus Christ's head at the center. Because of this, it allows the viewer's eye to be drawn towards him from any place, whether it be from the windows in the background, the ceiling beams, the side doors, the table supports, or his apostles themselves.

Ceiling of the Sistine Chapel / Michelangelo / High Italian Renaissance / 1508 - 1512 CE

1512

The Ceiling of the Sistine Chapel is an amazing and important series of works by Michelangelo because of his use of space and artistic ability to narrative biblical stories. The scale of art of the ceilings are large, colorful, and complicated as a way of being able to depict the scenes in a very active and emotional way that could be seen even from the floor of the chapel. He is able to convey God's power of creation with dramatic gestures and harsh distinctions between light and shadow.

Bacchus / Michelangelo Merisi de Caravaggio / Baroque Period / 1595

1595

Bacchus is an important art piece because even though it's a painting of a youth as the God of Wine, the form and colors are more true to life. Rather than being painted as well-defined, there is a plumpness to the figure's body and face. The body is pale but the face and hands are darker and tanned from being exposed to the sun. There are visible signs of rotting on the fruit in front, perhaps symbolizing imperfection and impermanence compared to previous depictions of timeless beauty.

Judith and Her Maidservant with the Head of Holofernes / Artemisia Gentileschi / Baroque Period / 1623 - 1625 CE

1625

This piece by Artemisia Gentileschi is important because it establishes herself as respected female painter. Despite the hardship and humiliation she faced due to her mentor, she was able to depict herself as the strong figure Judith who was able to behead the Assyrian General Holofernes who was about to destroy Judith's hometown. She was able to outwit him by following him into his tent and getting him so drunk he passed out. Tenebrism is used to heighten the dramatic effect and intensity.

Ecstasy of Saint Teresa / Gian Lorenzo Bernini / Baroque Period / 1647 - 1652 CE

1652

The Ecstasy of Saint Teresa is an important sculpture because although religious, it is also very sensual and very expressive. There is a sort of erotic detail in Teresa's slumped pose and her euphoric expression while the angel's pose and expression are very teasing. There is also a sense of its placement in Cornaro Chapel where it appears as if heavenly light is shining down on the occurrence, fitting for the story of this combination of spiritual and physical encounter.

Power Figure [ Nkisi N'Kondi ] / Kongo Culture / 19th Century CE

1899

Power figures are important to Kongo culture because they act as divine protection or as spiritual charms or medicine containers and are carved in the image of humans or animals. It can also act as a pact between two parties in which they drive nails or sharp objects into the figure, thus making it more powerful. It is believed that if a pact is broken, then the spirit in the power figure overseeing the pact would act in divine retribution for breaking the pact.

Ere Ibeji [ Twin Figures ] / Yoruba Culture / 20th Century CE

1970

Twins usually represented good luck in Yoruba culture, however, because the death rate would be higher due to the fight for nutrients from the mother or because of complications, the Ere Ibeji were important figures because they were created in order for the spirit of one or both twins who died during childbirth in order to have a vessel.They were created in the form of an adult to signify hope, growth, and good fortune and also so the spirit could be appeased.

Finial of a Spokesperson's Staff [ Okyeame Poma ] / Ashanti Culture / 1960s - 1970s CE

1970

This finial of a spokeperson's staff was important to Ashanti culture because it signified the wealth of political power of the ruler. Firstly, it's made of gold which only the wealthy could afford. The egg the figure is holding symbolizes the proper way to rule. Holding the egg too tightly would cause the egg to crack. Holding the egg too loosely would cause the egg to fall from the figure's grasp.