Choose one of the topics below and answer it in 3-5 typed pages double-spaced. Demonstrate knowledge of citation practices by citing your textbook as a consulted work. You can pick any format to use (Chicago, MLA, etc.), as long as you are consistent. The textbook is called GARDNER’S ART THROUGH THE AGES 15th edition.I do not expect you to do any additional research as the information in this course and from the textbook should be sufficient. Because these topics below are broad, I will expect you to narrow the one you choose appropriately. Make sure to have a thesis statement and use examples from the art we have studied in this unit (chapters 1-7) to prove your thesis. Make sure you include examples from the majority of chapters covered.
Here are the topics in Bold with thought provokers following:
- Describe the development of depicting the human form from Paleolithic art through the arts of Ancient near-East, Ancient Egypt, the Aegean and Greek cultures. Think about how humans are represented and what functions representation of humans have served. Is there in fact a clear “development”?
- Use examples from the art we have studied to defend the statement, “representation is a matter of function.” In Western culture we often get caught up in the idea of “primitive” versus “realistic” imagery when in effect each culture creates signs and symbols and a method for delivering them. In other words, the art worked for the culture that produced it and you can explore different pictorial methods and devices and how they were effective for their respective cultures.
- In what ways has architecture informed us of the cultures we have studied? What do we learn about a culture form their architecture? How is it unique from other art forms? How does architecture reflect and promote ideas?
Answer preview
Artists in ancient Egypt focused on the Pharaohs and the deities just like the art in the Ancient Near East. The human figure was represented in hierarchical proportions meaning that the size of the human forms displayed the relative importance of the people. The pharaohs and gods had a larger scale than figures of the tomb owners or pharaoh’s officials. The head and legs were displayed from the side, but the torso had a frontal positioning. Also, the feet had a parted standing, and distinct carved facial and physical features. Also, artists used vivid colors such as blue and gold to indicate the divinity of the human figures. The artists also used black on royal people to represent the fertility of the Nile. The Narmer Palette is an example of how the ancient Egypt artists portrayed the human figure (Robins, 2008). The function of the human depiction was to display the supremacy of those individuals.
[962 Words]
