Final post

I really like the pieces with a religious, or political message to them. I really enjoyed comparing different artworks from the different periods of time. I think one of my favorites was comparing Commodus as Hercules and the portrait head of Caracalla. He portrait head of Caracalla has a rough appearance of a man’s face I think that is to show more power and that is why it was of great importance to Romans.  The bust of Commodus as Hercules has more of a peaceful facial expression. This piece also shows that he is of high power because it shows a sense of intimidation. You have to look more deeply into this piece because you have to understand the mythology of the God Hercules. Hercules was a strong and powerful leader, he is known for his heroics. I think that the two men are powerful and each show it in their different ways.

I also liked learning about Winckelmann and his views on Greek art. Winckelmann changed the way we see Greek art. When you say Greek statues you don’t think of the painted ones, you think of only the white marble statues, the ones Winckelmann favored. Seeing the reconstructions of the white marble statues makes me see them differently now because I try and add color to them. But I still agree with Winckelmann about how the white is more pure and adds more class to the statues. He really made me understand that adding or subtracting colors or shapes or symbols can really change the meaning of the art.

Along with those I also liked comparing the architecture of the pyramids to the Ziggurats. I learned that the Ziggurats and the Pyramids at Giza have similarities but they also have their differences. Each was built for someone with great importance. Which I think is the most important similarity they share. However each one was built for different reasons and they look different. I learned that there was more to them that meets the eye, pyramids have a gold cap to them. Which I would have never have known if it wasn’t for this class.

I also liked that the Ancient Aegean artwork had the use of skinny people. It showed that they have a unique form of art. With this class I learned to look for things like that within the artworks of the past. I also learned to critically analyze the difference and similarities of each piece of art. It is also nice to read about what others in the class are thinking and to have their inputs on my own opinions. I am looking forward to continuing to learn about the history of art. 

Hildesheim Cathedral, Bernward’s Door

Option 2

          In the Hildesheim Cathedral, the Bernward’s Door is a very large bronze door. There are panels that are carved with eight scenes from the Old Testament on the left and on the right side there is the eight scenes from the New Testament. From the top to bottom on the left side there is the creation of Adam and Eve all the way down to the murder of Abel. While on the left it starts from the Annunciation and goes to the Noli me tangere.

       The panel the fall is the scene of Eve tempting Adam with the forbidden fruit from the tree. The tree is off center to the right of the panel. There is also the serpent on the scene; the serpent is the one that tempted Eve with the fruit off the forbidden tree. She knew that she wasn’t allowed to eat from the tree but she did it anyway, and she tempted Adam with the fruit as well. Adam and Eve have very similar body styles but they way I think you can tell which one is which is that Eve has the apple in her hand. Underneath this panel is the scene of the Accusation and Judgment of Adam and Eve. This is the scene where they have disobeyed. You know this by the God-like man that appears while Adam and Eve bow to the ground in shame.
         On the right side directly across from The Fall is the scenes known as The Passion. The Passion is the panel of the Crucifixion of Jesus. The moment of the first sin, Eve eating from the forbidden tree, that begins the entire curse and separation from God. Thus, the scene of Jesus is the sacrifice, known as the Crucifixion. In this panel you see Jesus on the cross being stabbed by guard next to John. I remember hearing in church that Bible says the guards offered vinegar instead of water. So I think that is was the guard on the other side is doing. The panel underneath the Crucifixion is the panel of Judgment of Jesus by Pilate. In this scene you see Pilate has brought Jesus out and as they sat down on the judgment seat at a place called the Pavement, they ordered him to be Crucified.
         I think that the panels that are placed on the top because they show the great importance. But these panels are put at the center because it is the beginning one telling about Eve eating from the forbidden tree while the other side of that is telling about the Crucifixion of Jesus. I think they are paired together to show that Jesus was crucified for our sins. While the Adam and Eve panels are showing that a sin is taking place. Each panel is showing a sin one in the falling of Jesus and the other showing that mankind makes sins. On the right side with the Crucifixion of Jesus that is showing that mankind will be forgiven for their sins, since Jesus gave up his life. While the Eves sins was to punish their daughters by having pain during childbirth. Each of these panels are similar to each other with the theme of stories they tell. 

Bust of Commodus as Hercules and Portrait head of Caracalla

                  

Bust of Commodus as Hercules                   Portrait head of Caracalla

            From the first glance the portrait head of Caracalla  (c. 217-230) has a rough and more intimidating look to him. The bust of Commodus as Hercules (c. 191-92 CE) has more of a calm and peaceful look. I think they are meant to cause fear to their enemies. Both are much different in how they are represented as higher powers. Head of Caracalla and Commodus as Hercules each shows propaganda elements of showing leadership, strength and power.

The portrait head of Caracalla has a rough appearance of a man’s face I think that is to show more power and that is why it was of great importance to Romans. His eyes seem to be glaring at something or someone; it might be one of his enemies. Everything in his face from his eyebrows to his lips shows that he is full of strength and power. Since his facial expression shows how powerful he is the piece doesn’t need to have other objects such as trophies or his success to show his power. This piece shows more mystery because there isn’t those other objects.

            The bust of Commodus as Hercules has more of a peaceful facial expression. This piece also shows that he is of high power because it shows a sense of intimidation. He has a peaceful face and along with him holding apples also gives the sense of peacefulness. The bust of this piece shows a sense of strength through the Hercules lion head. His strength is real because he used to battle against animals. Maybe that is why he uses a lion head. The lion hat shows that he is not to be messed with because he is a strong leader and warrior. The lion might be one of his many trophies from something he has killed. This piece also shows his muscles and lets you know he great physical strength. You have to look more deeply into this piece because you have to understand the mythology of the God Hercules. Hercules was a strong and powerful leader, he is known for his heroics.

            Both are intimidating figures but each shows that in different ways, one shows it in his facial expression while the other shows it by showing off his trophies to show his power. Both pieces reflect the character of Commodus and Caracalla through their appearances. Each piece has a great amount of detail and expressions in the faces. Each figure is powerful but the statue of Commodus has himself symbolized with the God Hercules. Meanwhile the statue of Caracalla doesn’t need any other elements other than himself to show power. Although, the Portrait head of Caracalla has the more rough and stronger facial expressions while the face of Commodus as Hercules has that more of peaceful look they are both intimidating men.

Greek Art

Winckelmann has had a great deal of impact on Greek art. His thoughts on the art were “pure” and “simple”. He took into consideration that the Greek statues of the pure white marble were simple and beautiful. Winckelmann was not concerned about the use of color that is just a minor detail of the art. Today I think that the view of this art has changed due to Winckelmann.         

Winckelmann changed the way we see Greek art. When you say Greek statues you don’t think of the painted ones, you think of only the white marble statues, the ones Winckelmann favored. Since he favored the works of art that are simple and pure marble. He forgot about all the works of art that are colored and have that more naturalistic look to them. Today we have art that is simple but we also have works of art that are full of color. I think that both are all strong parts of art, it just depends on the person who is viewing the art. Some people love simple art and others like the more in depth art with lots of color.

After seeing the reconstructions of the white marble statues makes me see them differently now because I try and add color to them. Adding color to the statues really gives them a different look. The statues look more naturalistic and it makes them see like replicas of actual people. I noticed the change after seeing the reconstruction of Temple of Aphaia. The Greeks took the high detail into consideration to make the warriors be more naturalistic. The simple white marble statues do show a great sense of pure beauty but once color is added it seems that the statues just pop into action or life.

For me personally I have to agree with Winckelmann about how the pure white marble adds more simple beauty to statues. I think that maybe adding the colors is too much. I like the “pure” and “simple” look of the white marble statues; they seem to be classier. 

Art of the Ancient Aegean

This unknown piece of artwork, fisherman, would be placed in the category of the Minoan Culture. I say this because there is a great deal of resemble to the artwork of the woman or goddess with snakes, on page 88. One main resemblance is the fact that the fisherman and the woman with the snakes both have very skinny waists. I know it has to be from the Minoan culture because that skinny waist was mentioned in one of our lectures this week. I also think that fisherman artwork is from the Minoan culture because of the use of all those bright colors. Even the woman or goddess with the snakes on page 88 has a lot of bright colors as well.  As I remember from our lecture the Minoan culture uses many of these bright colors in their artwork. The artworks are also similar to each other because each person in the art is holding something in each hand outward.

Another unknown artifact is the vase. With its features it was hard to place into Cycladic, or Minoan cultures. So I think this artifact belong with the Mycenaean culture. The Mycenaean culture really liked the krater; they were popular among the people. I think that it is more Mycenaean culture because the vase looks like it has something to do with war, and the Mycenaean were really into war or warriors. As you can see on the robes of the figures you can tell they are warriors. The robes are spotted and are made to think that the warriors are important. On the vase you can tell that the vase is related to war with the chariot and the swords and the body armor of the people-like figures. There is a figure that looks like it’s a woman, and I think maybe the warriors are going off to war and she is saying good bye to them.  Another thing that leads me to think that it’s the Mycenaean culture is because of the unnatural proportions of the bodies, and the people don’t look like people they look like animals. The Minoan artifacts have very tiny waist and the people are made to look more real-like. The Cycladic cultures have artifacts with people who have long slender bodies, and that have really no detail in the structures. Therefore the chariot vase is categorized with the Mycenaean culture.

Ziggurats in Near East and Pryamids at Giza

Comparing the ziggurats of the ancient Near East and the pyramids at Giza they have so many similar capabilities and structures. But yet they are so different in the ways they are used or how they are built. The pyramids and the ziggurats are both built for gods or pharaohs, each have power over the people. The ziggurats and the pyramids of Giza are very similar temples but yet they are very different in structure. Most people today have somewhat an idea of the pyramids, but there are many people that don’t know about the ziggurats. When looking at pyramids and ziggurats they both have the resemblance of a hill and both have strong structures. Although they are similar in the structure they are very different in size the ziggurats are smaller than the pyramids.

Ziggurats are very similar to the step pyramids, they are layered tombs on each other and each structure supports another. It looks like the ziggurats are built into a hill and have been stacked on another. The pyramids of Giza are much bigger than the ziggurats. The ziggurats are used for worshiping gods just like the pyramids are used to worship and protect the pharaohs. But they differ than the pyramids because they are temples that bring the gods back down to that temple to communicate. There isn’t much around the ziggurats expect the rocky bricks that are stacked on and around them. As I think of ziggurats I think of the movie Hercules, I picture that scene with him in a temple like building talking to a giant statue of a god. Thinking of this helps me remember that ziggurats are used to communicate for the gods. I know the one I picture from the movie is way different than the ones that are in the Near East, the stepped pyramids look alike.  

The pyramids are made of numerous blocks creating the four sides of the triangles. Pyramids are built of limestone while the ziggurats are built from a brick. The pyramids are the most popular and they are known to be temples for the pharaohs. The peaks of the pyramids are said to lead the pharaoh’s soul to the heavens.  The pharaohs are then protected by the pyramids. When I think of pyramids I think of all the hieroglyphics, but that is just from what I have seen in movies or books. Reading about them now shows me that they are there for protection. Most pyramids are built in groups rather than just being along structure. The Pyramids are used to worship and pray to the pharaohs, people would do this inside of the pyramids.

Each of the ziggurats of ancient Near East and the pyramids at Giza has differences yet some similarities. I think that they have one of the most important similarities which are to why they were created in the first place. Each was built for someone with great importance. Wither one is to bring the gods to us or to protect the pharaohs in death each are both of great importance.  Even if they have their differences they share the importance of being built.

Assurbanipal and His Queen in the Garden

Assurbanipal and His Queen in the Garden

The composition also has a 3D element to it. You can tell that the people are standing in front of some trees and other artifacts. It creates a more real life picture; rather it is just made of stone. The carving creates a pathway for the eye to follow from the king outward to his servants. There is that sense of visual balance in the carving just because of how your eye leaves the king and goes towards his servants. The composition gives the stone unity because each piece of the stone is working together to tell the story of the king. I also like that there are birds flying in the sky, it also adds to the real life image effect. The position of the king is not in the center which adds the rule of thirds to this stone carving. I also like that there is small detail in the trees and the vines. It must have taken a long time to create this carving. I think that simple detail adds to the realness of the composition. It is crazy to think that someone can create such amazing photos in a stone and the photos have such detail.

The piece of Assurbanipal and His Queen in the Garden has composition that tells somewhat of a story. In the stone work there is a king relaxing in his garden with his servants. You can tell the king is relaxing because he is leaning back in his chair, without his expensive king necklace. You can tell the difference between the servants and the king because the servants have fans hovered over the king. The king is also positioned the most highest in the photograph to represent the most important and most powerful. The king being higher in the stone carving is one of the elements of art, because he creates a strong view point and it shows the importance of him being king. Also every other person in the stone carving is facing him this adds drama to how important the king is.

In the carving there doesn’t seem to be a noticeable number of odd objects to make the king also stand out more, so it creates a more symmetry composition. Another visually observation is the usage of shapes in the carving. I see that there is one big triangle in the carving. I see it from the king’s head downward to the two set of servants on the left and the right of him. The queen is considered to be important but just not as important as the king so she is placed inside the triangle and a little to left.

I also think that there is a tiny hidden image of a man’s head hanging from a tree. I would have not noticed it if it wasn’t for the description in the book. I think without knowing that head was there you don’t get the sense that the carving is of a celebration. But knowing that it is there now I do see how the story of the king is him celebrating with his queen and his servants in his peaceful garden. I also noticed that the king’s face has been chipped off along with the queens. I am not sure if it was done on purpose or if it was by accident. I thought it might have just been because it’s an old artifact. but in the images I have seen on the internet the faces seem to be just fine, I think it might be the books copy or people have edited the face. I am not sure. I also notice that the king’s right hand has been chipped off as well. Seeing this made me rethink the chipping off the king and queens face. But I am still uncertain as to what actually happened to the carving.

I learned that creating something with a big subject is a good way to show that the subject is the most important. Thus, it happened with this carving. The king is in such a significant location that he quickly recognized as the superior king. I also think that it gives a little insight as to how society was back in ancient history. The king is the most superior in the carving, yet while the women are the servants. The queen however is higher than the servants but not as high as the king, this makes her superior to the servants. All in all I think that the carving is telling a story of the kings relaxing days after war. He likes to spend those days in his garden with his queen by his side.