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24,000 BCE
Woman of Willendorf, Prehistoric, 28000-24000 BCE
Woman of Willendorf also referred to as "Venus figurine" is 11 centimeters tall and is made of Oolite (sedimentary rock) that was found in Austria. It is an example of a sculpture on the round. It is a faceless figure with large breast and belly that can be interpreted as symbols of fertility. The figure has also been interpreting as a good luck totem, a goddess or even a tool for men's pleasure. -
13,000 BCE
Great Hall Of The Bulls, Prehistoric, 15000-13000 BCE
Hall of Bulls is a painting of animals on the wall of a cave in Lascaux in France. This famous painting shows an example of the artistic art of early humans. It shows different animals, bulls, deer, and other game animals. There are multiple colors used in this painting, such as black and red. The purpose of this painting was for early humans to bring success to them and guarantee a good hunt. it is also believed that by drawing the animal this would replenish them for future hunts. -
3000 BCE
White Temple and Anu Ziggurat, Sumerian, Ancient Mesopotamia, 3300-3000 BCE
This Ziggurat is located in Uruk, which was an ancient city of Sumer located in modern-day Iraq. The temple is made of mud bricks and stands on top of its platform or Ziggurat. The stairs reach to the top of the temple. This temple was dedicated to the god of sky, which was Anu. This temple had tall, 20 feet, walls that was visible from distance and even from outside the city walls. -
2500 BCE
Lyre with Bearded Bull’s Head, Sumerian, Ancient Mesopotamia, 2600-2500 BCE
This lyre is one of the earliest music instruments in the world from the city of Ur. The bull with the beard in front of the instrument represents Shamash, which is the sun god. Also the beard of bull is lapis lazuli that is unique and expensive mineral. Under the bull’s beard there are other figures. One of the figures is the animal orchestra. -
2450 BCE
Great Pyramid, Giza, 4th dynasty, Ancient Egypt, 2575-2450 BCE
The Great Pyramid of Giza or Pyramid of Khufu is the oldest and largest pyramid located in Giza. This Pyramid is also one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. It is 481 feet and made of limestone and is build of different chambers such as king and queen’s chamber. It is believed to have been used as tomb for king. -
2325 BCE
The Seated Scribe, Ancient Egypt, 2540-2325 BCE
This statue is made of limestone with eyes of crystal rock, magnetite and copper. Its nipple is made of wood. This statue represents a Scribe during its work as he is holding a rolled papyrus. He is seated with his legs crossed, which was common way of sitting for a copyist at work. -
1600 BCE
Stonehenge, Prehistoric, 2500-1600 BCE
Stonehenge is located in Wilshire in United Kingdom. Stonehenge is a circle of standing stones with size of 13 feet in height and 7 feet in wide. Stonehenge is a place of burial and cemetery. Also there are rumors that this place was used as healing place. Another usage of this place was for astronomy and as solar calendar. -
1458 BCE
Kneeling Statue of Hatshepsut, Dynasty 18, Ancient Egypt, 1473-1458 BCE
This statue is made of red granite and representing Queen Hashepust. She is a woman Pharaoh and wearing false beard and a kilt to show power and wisdom. In her hands she has jars, which she wants give them to god (Amun), as she is knelling. -
539 BCE
Cyrus Cylinder, Achaemenid, Ancient Persia, 539 BCE
Cyrus Cylinder is made of clay and written in Akkadian cuneiform script. It is the first declaration of human rights, and a first attempt we know about running a society, a state with different nationalities and faiths. On the cylinder it is written how Cyrus the great was choose by the god, Marduk of Babylon, to restore peace and bring prosperity to the Babylonians. -
480 BCE
Capitoline She-Wolf, Ancient Roman, 500-480 BC
It is a statue made of Bronze and has 360-degree view. This statue is unnatural, and its body is out of proportion. Wolf neck is too long for her face. Also the beads and fur on the legs and face are not accurate. However, other details such as ribs and muscles are very natural. The children under the wolf are Romulus and Remus, the twin brothers that founded the city of Rome and the Roman Kingdome. This statue is symbol of Rome. -
432 BCE
Parthenon, Ancient Greek, 447-432 BCE
Parthenon is was a marble temple for goddess Athena located on a rocky outcropping in the city of Athens. It has had great influence as both a symbol of democracy and its architectural refinement. The style is Doric temple with massive columns with shallow broad flutes. It had sculpture integrated in the many aspects of the build such as in the metopes and the pediments. Inside there was a gigantic gold sculpture of Athena and it was used as a treasury storing valuables. -
310 BCE
Alexander Mosaic, Ancient Greek, 310 BCE
It is depicting the turning point of one of the most important historical battles. The depicts the Darius III turning a retreating from the battle with Alexander. It is a reversal of momentum, as we still see part of the Persia guards spear facing the Greeks, but that Darius chariot has turned around creating a tension and dynamism in the moment. -
180 BCE
Nike(victory) of Samothrace, Ancient Greek, 180 BCE
The statue was found in the Aegean in an area called Samothrace. She was part of a prow of a stone ship that was part of temple. She is the goddess and messenger of victory. It has had big impact on western art and also replaced some of the earlier aspects of classical art, of being reserved and high classical style, with voluptuousness of being sensual and aesthetic pleasure. It is giving full sense of energy through the windswept motion and emotion. -
80
Colosseum, Ancient Roman, 72-80 CE
Colosseum is a biggest amphitheater that was ever built and has oval shape like doughnut and an inside is filled with sand or Arena (latin for sand). Sand was good material to use because of it ability to absorb blood from gladiator fights. Colosseum or Flavian Amphitheater is concrete building that built only in 10 years. The style of Colosseum is a three-story arch with a fourth story of windows. Arches are formed with columns, Doric and Tuscanic. Colosseum had capacity of 50k to 80k people. -
128
Pantheon, Hardian, Ancient Roman, 110-128 CE
Pantheon was constructed under emperor Hardian and contained sculpture of the gods and emperors. Pantheon was dedicated to the gods Mars ,Venus and emperor Julius Cesar. Pantheon is a radial building and has the largest concrete dome in the history. The oculus in the dome brings light to the building and as sun moves the light moves in the building.The marbles columns are single pieces and brought in from all over of Roman emperor to show Hardian’s wealth and power. -
537
Hagia Sophia, Byzantine, 532-537 CE
Hagia Sophia was rebuilt by emperor Justinian and it was to reflect a new Christian architecture for a new Christian roman empire. The main architectural design innovations that Hagia Sophia incorporated was a dome built on top of a square base. This was achieved using pendentive that made it possible to support a heavy dome structure. The dome was golden to make it look like it comes from heaven and light is brought in through ribs with windows. -
547
Church of San Vitale, Byzantine, 527-547 CE
San Vitale is one of the most important surviving examples of Byzantine architecture and mosaic work. It is a centrally planned church as its focus is on its center. It has an ambulatory, aisle, that surround the central space. In the east side of the church there is an extension with an apse at the end. From the outside it has eight sides, and octagon made of bricks. It has huge number of windows to showcase the many magnificent mosaics on the inside from the early medieval period. -
550
Barberini Ivory, Byzantine, 550 CE
It is a Byzantine leaf made out of Ivory. It shows an emperor triumphant on a horse back with four panels on every side. It is showing the style transition from the ancient Greek Roman classical tradition before the Christianity and the Byzantine eastern Roman Empire after Christianity is legalized. It was decorated with gems. It is depicting conquer of the foreign people of the world that have been presented and have submitted to the Byzantine emperor who resides on earth under god in heaven. -
691
Dome of Rock, Islamic, 691 CE
Dome of Rock is the second most holy place for Muslims in the world. Dome of Rock structure is central pane and build during Umayyad Caliphate. The mosaic and its structure are patterned after Byzantine churches. Inside there is a rock under the dome and that is where the shrine got its name from, Dome of Rock. This is the rock that on which Ebrahim wanted to sacrifice his son for god and also on this rock Prophet Mohammed made his night journey to heaven. -
1144
Church of Saint Denis, Gothic, 1140-1144 CE
This Church is located in Paris and is a large medieval abbey church. It is also the birthplace of Gothic period. This basilica was used as a place for pilgrimage and a burial place for kings, saints and Suger family. It was Abbot Suger that created apsidal chapel and gave each saint a separate burial place of their own within the church. This church is built with Gothic architecture style, which is characterized by its open spaces, tall windows, rose window and pointed arches. -
1146
Last Judgment Tympanum, Romanesque, 1130-1146 CE
The Last Judgment is the first monumental sculpture that was made in the Medieval period. It shows the terrifying image of the Last Judgment when the Jesus is coming for the second time and all the souls based on their deeps either go to hell or heaven. Souls are nude and some of them look scared. This monument was built for illiterate people of that time to be warned of the consequences of their sins. The Jesus is in the center and the full body halo around him is representing his divinity. -
1190
Chasse with the Crucifixion and Christ in Majesty, Romanesque, 1180-1190 CE
This Chasse is an example of Romanesque Medial period art and one of the early Christian traditions. This chasse or coffin, place on the altar in the church, is for honoring saint and venerate relic that is held inside. This chasse is rectangular shaped reliquary made out of copper over wood. The depicted scenes on the chasse are of the Crucifixion, Christ in Majesty, and the Apostles, and are positioned on the main faces of the chasse. -
1300
Arm Reliquary of Saint Pantaleon, Rhenish, Romanesque, 1201-1300 CE
This reliquary, which is keeping a holy relic, contain bone arm of Saint Pantaleon or “Holy Doctor” who later became the patron saint of physicians. This piece of art also called a “speaking” reliquary as having the shape of the hand that once was inside this reliquary. The reliquary is made of silver and decorated with crystal rocks and glass. It is made in Rheine region, which is located in the Central and Western part of Europe. -
1311
Raising of Lazarus, Duccio di Buoninsegna, Gothic, 1310-1311 CE
This painting that was painted by Italian painter, Duccio di Buoninsegna shows Jesus miracle of resurrecting dead people. In this painting Jesus brings back Lazarus of Bethany, Saint Lazarus, back to life after he was dead for four days. This was one of Jesus last miracles. This painting is an example of back to naturalism as the characters in the painting have more realistic faces with body language. -
1330
Great Mosque of Djenne, Africa,1200-1330 CE
This house of worship located in the city of Djenné Mali and is still in use. It was completed in 1907 and is Sudano-Sahelian architectural style. This site had been used for mosque since the 13th century. The walls of the mosque are made of bricks, sand and coated plaster and are decorated with bundles of palm tree sticks. The qibla is surrounded by three large minarets.The Great Mosque is one of the most famous landmarks in Africa and was designated as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1988. -
1335
Mamluk Glass Oil Lamp, Islamic, 1329-1335 CE
This oil lamp was used as a light in mosque and was made of expensive material such as gold. This lamp made of very thin glass that cover with enamel and gold. The oil lamp has a foot that it can stand on, however they are usually hung with a chain. The body of lamp was decorated with Quran’s words and calligraphy. -
1340
The Allegory (Effect) of Good and Bad Government , Ambrogio Lorenzetti, Gothic, 1338-1340 BC
The Allegory of Good and Bad Government are 3 paintings using fresco technics by Italian painter, Ambrogio Lorenzetti. These paintings are located in Palazzo Pubblico in Siena, Italy. The 3 paintings include 6 scenes with each scene showing the effects of the government in the city. The subject matter is civic rather than religious. For example, the ruler of bad government is a tyrant. In the good government, city people are moving and trading with each other peacefully and are dancing together. -
1400
Horseman, Djenne, Africa, 1200-1400 CE
This is an equestrian figure from the13th-15th century made of ceramic. It is in Djenne style with the dimensions of 27 3/4 x 6 x 18in. Horses are not native of Africa and they represent different symbols depending on the region. In some parts, they are a symbol of wealth and political power. In
West Africa, near Mali, they represent military power in the form of invading cavalry which was dominant in that region. -
1498
The Last Supper, Leonardo de Vinci, Renaissance,1495-1498 CE
The Last Supper by Leonarda da Vinci is Fresca that has been painted in Santa Maria delle Grazie, Milan Italy. It represents High Renaissance art and the theme is Christ's self-perpetuation. The subject is Christ's last meal with his apostles before he's captured and crucified. It shows the moment just after Christ lets his apostles that one of them will betray him, and we see the reactions and emotions among the apostles. -
1504
David, Michelangelo, Renaissance, 1501-1504 CE
The Michelangelo's David statue is a 17 feet tall sculpture. It represents a High Renaissance made out of marble. The David is standing in contrapposto with all his weight shifted on his right leg. He is in a relaxed pose with a slingshot over his shoulder, the concentrated gaze of David tells us of the emotional part of the figure as he is preparing to meet his enemy Goliath. The Sculpture is anatomical accuracy of the human body. -
1511
The School of Athens, Raphael, Renaissance, 1509-1511 CE
This piece of art painted in fresco technics that is also Raphael’s masterpiece was painted to decorate one of the rooms, Stanze di Raffaello, in Apostolic Palace in the city of Vatican. As we see in this painting all the mathematics, scientist, philosopher and even Michelangelo and Raphael himself gathered. Not all of these genius people lived in a same time but all gathered in the same place. The Two big Philosopher, Plato and Aristotle are in the center and in the vanishing point. -
1550
Queen Mother Pendant Mask, Kingdom of Benin, Africa, 1550 CE
This piece of art was for the court of Benin. It is made of Ivory and is worn by the hip. This piece is made for the King (ObaEsigie) in honor of his mother Idia, who helped her son expand his kingdom. In Benin culture, Ivory symbolizes purity and is associated with Olokun, god of the sea. The Collar and the tiara are carved stylized mudfish, represent the king's dual nature as human and divine, and bearded faces of Portuguese. -
Taj Mahal, Shah Jahan, Islamic, 1631-1618 CE
Taj Mahal was built by Moghul emperor Shah Jahan as a tomb for his beloved wife, Mumtaz Mahal, who was a Persian princess from Iran. This large temple included a big mosque (tomb), a large garden and guest rooms. The tomb, which is in the center, is made of marble. This building is a symmetrical building with a big Iwan in front and a large dome. -
Old Woman Cooking Eggs, Diego Velazquez, Baroque, 1618 CE
This painting is an example of a bodegón genre painting that shows the everyday life of ordinary people. In fact, using working class in the drawing was one of the characteristics of Velazquez's painting. In this painting, we see a strong contrast between light and darkness. The background is in darkness and is dominant (tenebrism), and woman, eggs, and utensils are in the light. In this painting, Velazquez showed the small details like eggs, hot oil, woman fingers, and utensils perfectly. -
St. Peter’s Baldachin, Gian Lorenzo Bernini, Baroque, 1623-1634 CE
St. Peter’s Baldachin is located in the St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican in Rome. It is a tall canopy made of bronze and is located exactly under the Michelangelo’s dome and also marks the burial place of St. Peter. The Baldachino is a place that Pope lead mass. The spiral columns of Baldachin are symbolic and refer to the old St. Peter and columns of the temple of Solomon. Above the canopy, cross and orb are symbols of the triumph of the church. -
Ecstasy of St. Teresa, Gian Lorenzo Bernini, Baroque, 1647-1652 CE
This Sculpture is an example of High Roman Baroque art and located in Church of Santa Maria della Vittoria in Rome. It shows ecstasy or joyful experiment of Saint Teresa of Avila. She became canonized in 1622 and after that, she wrote her experience of seeing angles. Based on St. Teresa description of her physical and spiritual situation, Bernini created this sculpture. A hidden window above the sculpture brings light and gives the sculpture even more holiness and feelings.
