White Temple and its Ziggurat Uruk (Iraq) Sumerian c. 3500 – 3000 BCE Palette of King Narmer Predynastic Egypt 3000-­‐2920 BCE Mud brick dedicated to the sky
god Anu The sides of the
ziggurat were very
broad and sloping but
broken up by
recessed stripes or
bands from top to
bottom Visual focal point of Gods Temple: tri-partite
plan: a long
rectangular central
hall with rooms on
either side Oriented to cardinal points Façade Cella Forces person to look at façade to enter Bent Axis -­‐ Altar Greywacke ceremonial object Relief Sculpture alettes were generally flat,
minimally decorated stone
objects used for grinding
and mixing minerals for
cosmetics. Dark eyeliner
was an essential aspect of
life in the sun-drenched
region one of the most important
artifacts from the dawn of
Egyptian civilization ritual object dedicated to a
god Research suggests that
these decorated palettes
were used in temple
ceremonies, perhaps to
grind or mix makeup to be
ritually applied to the
image of the god. Statues of Votive Figures, from the Square Temple at Eshunna Tell Asmar, Iraq Sumerian 2700 BCE Seated Scribe Saqqara, Egypt Old Kingdom 4th Dynasty c. 2620-­‐2500 BCE Gypsum inlaid with shell and black limestone Great expression of early dynastic Sumerian art Forever offering prayers to the god Wide eyes Sense of attentiveness Attentive to a sculpture of a god, embodied in statue Elite member or Sumerian culture paid to have this made and be “continually attentive” to the god. Different from Egyptian sculpture which represents kings. “Symbol of the peson” who paid for it to be made Seems humble, not Naturalistic Painted Limestone Looks informal Cross-­‐legged Very natural looking Iris is rock crystal Funerary sculpture, meant for afterlife…not to be seen by anyone Not of kingly/divine status Important b/c he can write & read Little bit of fat was signifier for wealth Sense of wisdom Standard of Ur from the Royal Tombs at Ur Iraq Sumerian 2600-­‐2400 BCE Great Pyramids (Menkaura, Khafre, Khufu) and Great Sphinx Giza, Egypt Old Kingdom Fourth Dynasty c. 2550-­‐2490 BCE Wood inlaid with shell, Intentionally buried in Lapis lazuli, red a ritual limestone Maybe a soundbox for musical instrument? Cut Limestone Tombs Cardinal Points Scale model of hemisphere One side represents a scene of peace, most powerful at top of register. Other side is scene of violence/war Blood/wounds men falling Shows 3 levels of upper society in scale of figures Line of soldiers ready for battle/order/structure King at top register is largest Everyone in profile. Looking out The shape of the
the Great Sphinx. This
pyramid was a solar
close association to
reference, perhaps
Khafre’s temple
intended as a
indicates that this
solidified version of
massive depiction of a
the rays of the sun.
recumbent lion with
Texts talk about the
the head of a king was
sun’s rays as a ramp
carved for Khafre. the pharaoh mounts to
climb to the sky King Menkaura and queen Old Kingdom Fourth Dynasty c. 2490-­‐2472 BCE Greywacke Slate Statues of king/queen The Code of Hammurabi Babylon(Iran) Susian 1792-­‐1750 BCE Basalt Earliest law codes ever written Represends Justice They both face to the
front, although
Menkaure’s head is
noticeably turned to
his right—this image
was likely originally
positioned within an
architectural niche,
making it appear as
though they were
emerging from the
structure. Sensuously modelled
with a beautifully
proportioned body
emphasized by a
clinging garment, she
articulates ideal
mature feminine
beauty. They both look
beyond the present
and into timeless
eternity, their
otherworldly visage
displaying no human
emotion whatsoever. Sun god Shamash Humans are secondary, handing Hammurabi a stand before the gods rope, ring and rod of God appear larger, kingship enthroned. Gods elaborately adorned Humans wear respectful, plainer clothes Gods carry emblems of their power Humans listen attentively Temple of Amun-­‐Re And Hypostyle Hall Karnak…Luxor, Egypt New Kingdom 18th & 19th Dynasties c. 1550 BCE – temple c. 1250 BCE – hall Cut Sandstone & Mud Brick House of Worship Huge columns, tightly packed together, massive lintels bind the columns Axial Plan – parts of building organized longitudinally Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut Luxor, Egypt New Kingdom 18th Dynasty c. 1473-­‐1458 BCE Akhenaton, Nefertiti and three daughters New Kingdom (Amarna) 18th Dynasty c, 1353-­‐1335 BCE Sandstone Partially carved rock cliff Red Granite Temple with 3 Terraces & 2 Ramps Mortuary Terraces were originally planted with gardens Sacred Valley Limestone Tells a story Akhenaton (left) holds eldest daughter, ready to be kissed. Nefertiti holds daughter (right) with another daughter on her shoulder. Hypostyle Hall was a large room with columns. Most of the room was dark except for the center aisle which was lit by small windows cut into the roof. This hall represented a marsh in the beginning of time. It was filled with columns that looked like papyrus plants. First time achievements of a woman are celebrated in art history. Body buried elsewhere State religion changed by Akhenaton symbolized by sun-­‐disk w/cobra. Ankhs( symbol of life) point to king & queen. Religion Shift indicated by: Smoother curved surfaces Low hanging bellies Slack jaws Thin arms Heavy lidded eyes Tutankhamun’s Tomb, innermost coffin New Kingdom 18th Dynasty c. 1323 BCE Gold with inlay of enamel and semiprecious stones Mask idealized features Mummified body of Tut of boy-­‐king Famous tomb buried with 143 Crook & flail symbol of discovered by Howard objects Osiris Carter in 1922 Found In a tomb in the Gold coffin containing Tradition of Pharonic Valley of the Kings in body of Pharaoh Burial: • Elaborate funerary Egypt ceremonies, 143 • Site chosen: This was the traditional burial ground for Egyptian kings. • The valley was naturally protected by cliffs against grave robbers The cliffs & tombs could easily be dug from the rock here Last judgement of Hu-­‐Nefer, from his tomb (page from the Book of the Dead) New Kingdom 19th Dynasty c. 1275 BCE Painted Papyrus Scroll Illustration from the Book of the Dead, Egyptian book of spells and charms God of embalming, Anubis, has Jackals head, leading deceased named Hu-­‐Nefer into a hall where his soul will be weighed against a feather. If sins weigh objects found w/body. • Gold symbolizes eternity, used extensively throughout the tomb. • Holds a crook & flail, symbols of Osiris. • Above head are symbols for upper & lower Egypt : Cobra & Falcon • Idealization of facial features Hippo/Lion figure will eat the heart of an evil soul. God Thoth has head of bird, writing down events. Osiris, god of underworld Lamassu from the citadel of Sagon II, Dur Sharrukin Khorsabad, Iraq Neo-­‐Assyrian c. 720-­‐705 BCE Alabaster Persepolis Audience Hall (apadana) of Darius and Xerxes Persepolis, Iran Persian c. 520-­‐465 BCE Limestone Built on artificial terraces more, he is condemned. appears enthroned. Human headed animal 5 legs, seen from front Ward off enemies both guardians is standing at attention, visible and invisible. seen from Winged side…walking by you. Apotropiac-­‐ having the power to avert evil influence or bad luck Seat for spectacular receptions and festivals “Gate of All Nations” announcing this as a great empire Many cultures (greek, Egyptian, Babylonian) contributed to building the site Built to dwarf the viewer