8_ARTA_MIDTERM

• Stone Age


  A period of history when stones were used to make tools for survival
• The term 'Stone Age' conjures an image of men and women dressed in skin, huddling before a fire in a cave
• Stone Age roughly spans the 14,000-2,000 BCE
• Three periods of Stone Age


  • Paleolithic - the late years of the old Stone Age
  • Mesolithic - Middle Stone Age
  • Neolithic - New Stone Age
• Unearthing of archaeological artifacts and remains provides modern society a glimpse of the beliefs, practices, and activities of early civilization
• The motives and reasons behind the creation of ancient materials such as sculptures, painting, and architectural structures may not be clearly defined
• Early people produced materials that reflect their attitudes and belief system on spiritual, social, political, and economic matters
• As the early humans started to transition from being nomads to permanent settlers, their everyday activities also had some changes, which is evident through the materials and even the works of art they have created
• Despite changes as a result of adapting to their environment, there are central themes in their artworks. Most ancient artworks depict religious symbols, a wide array of organisms from nature and activities of everyday life
• Prehistoric Art


  • Humans were able to lead more stable lives and eventually come up with permanent shelters and tools for survival
  • Early humans turned to the creation of paintings and sculptures that depict humans, animals, and their natural habitats
• Paleolithic Art


  A product of climate change. As the climate got colder, part of the early humans' instinct is to look for shelters that would provide them with warmth. Caves became protective havens for the early humans and these caves paved the way for the birth of their first attempt to create art
• Paleolithic Art


  • Halls of Bulls found in the cave in Lascaux, France
• Mesolithic Art


  The "Venus of Willendorf" is a highly abstracted woman from highlighted body parts associated with fertility. The representation may show the importance of taking care of these body parts for procreation and consequently the survival of species
• Neolithic Art


  • Stonehenge in England. The purpose of this fascinating edifice remains a mystery up to this day age. Some regard it as a temple while others see it as a complex calendar that tracked the movements of both the Sun and Moon. Others ascribe some magical element to it by associating it with Merlin the Magician from King Arthur's story
• The Egyptian civilization can be divided into three periods: Old, Middle, and New Kingdom
• For the Egyptians, art should be something religious and spiritual. There may have been differences in the techniques used and style emphasized, but there are common denominators among the artworks created during their respective time periods
• Egyptian Art


  • Narmer Palette - It was a palette that utilized and applied dark colors around King Narmer's eyes. The palette was also a symbol that commemorates the unification of Upper and Lower Egypt
  • The Great Pyramid of Giza - During the Old Kingdom, one of the architectural wonders was also constructed. The pyramids in Giza served as tombs since their main purpose was to provide a resting place for the pharaohs
  • Queen Nefertiti - There is emphasis on life-like features of the face like an elongate jaw and thick-lidded eyes. Most artists created artworks that are natural and seemingly real, highlighting the features of their subjects. Naturalism was not only used to depict the pharaoh but also was used for members of the royal family. The bust of Queen Nefertiti has a long and sensuous neck
  • King Tutankhamen - He became king at a very young age and died at the age of eighteen. Howard Carter discovered his tomb in 1922. They were astonished to find gold artworks and that the coffin was made out of solid gold. The body of the young king was adorned in linen and a gold mask covered his face