Mapeh 9

• Origins and Influences of Western Classical Art Traditions

  • Mesopotamian civilisation
  • Egyptian civilisation
  • Greek civilisation
• Characteristics and Styles of Western Classical Art Traditions

  • Focus on realistic representation, balance, proportion, and harmony
  • Emphasis on idealized human forms, exemplified in Greek sculptures
  • Intricate details and storytelling in Roman frescoes
• Notable Artists and Artworks of Western Classical Art Traditions

  • Renaissance masters Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, and Raphael
  • Masterpieces: "Mona Lisa," "David," "The School of Athens"
• Cave Paintings


  • Found in Lascaux (France) and Altamira (Spain)
  • Depicted animals, hunting scenes, and everyday life
  • Used natural pigments and primitive techniques
• Petroglyphs


  • Carved or etched on rocks and cave walls
  • Represented animals, human figures, symbols, and celestial motifs
  • Served decorative and communicative purposes
• Rock Art


  • Encompassed a wide range of prehistoric paintings and engravings
  • Showcased diverse artistic expressions across continents
  • Motifs included handprints, abstract designs, and animal depictions
• Greek Pottery and Vase Painting


  • Adorned vessels with intricate painted scenes
  • Depicted mythological narratives, religious rituals, and everyday life
  • Red-figure and black-figure painting techniques were prominent
• Frescoes and Mosaics


  • Mural paintings executed on wet plaster
  • Decorated Greek buildings and palaces
  • Mosaics created by assembling small colored tiles
• Greek Mythology in Art


  • Mythology heavily influenced artistic representations
  • Gods, goddesses, and heroic figures served as subjects
  • Artists captured beauty, power, and dramatic narratives
• Romanticism as an Art Movement

  • Emerged in the late 18th century as a rejection of Enlightenment rationalism
  • Emphasized emotion, individuality, and imagination
  • Valued the sublime, nature, and intense personal experiences
• Nature and Emotion in Romantic Paintings


  • Portrayed breathtaking landscapes, turbulent seascapes, and natural phenomena
  • Aimed to evoke emotions, awe, wonder, and melancholy
• Key Artists of the Romantic Era


  • J.M.W. Turner
  • Caspar David Friedrich
  • Francisco Goya
• Byzantine Iconography


  • Influenced by the Byzantine Empire
  • Stylized figures and a sense of spirituality
  • Adorned churches and religious manuscripts
• Illuminated Manuscripts


  • Meticulously crafted books with intricate illustrations and decorative motifs
  • Featured ornate calligraphy and religious texts
  • Preserved knowledge and conveyed religious teachings
• Christian Religious Art


  • Depicted scenes from the Bible, the life of Christ, and saints
  • Fostered devotion and religious education
  • Included paintings, sculptures, and stained glass windows
• Characteristics of Gothic Art


  • Emerged in the 12th century as a response to the Romanesque style
  • Characterized by pointed arches, ribbed vaults, and flying buttresses in architecture
  • Paintings reflected the religious devotion and spirituality of the era
• Stained Glass Windows


  • Iconic feature of Gothic cathedrals and churches
  • Used vibrant colored glass to depict religious narratives
  • Transformed light into a divine experience
• Depictions of Religious Themes in Gothic Art


  • Focused on biblical scenes and religious figures
  • Emphasized the heavenly and divine realms
  • Artists aimed to inspire devotion and awe in viewers
• Stone Sculptures


  • Earliest known form of sculpture
  • Carved from stone or rock materials
  • Often depicted animals, deities, and human figures
• Terracotta Sculptures


  • Created from fired clay
  • Popular in ancient civilizations like Mesopotamia and ancient India
  • Used for religious and decorative purposes
• Woodcarvings


  • Intricate carvings in wood material
  • Found in religious art, furniture, and architectural elements
  • Demonstrated craftsmanship and attention to detail
• Egyptian Sculpture Styles


  • Depicted figures in a frontal and rigid pose
  • Symbolized eternal life and the pharaoh's power
  • Executed with precision and idealized proportions
• Funerary Sculptures and Statues in Egyptian Art

  • Placed in tombs and temples for religious purposes
  • Represented deities, pharaohs, and nobles
  • Served as a way to ensure the afterlife of the deceased
• Symbolism in Egyptian Sculpture

  • Utilized symbols like the ankh (symbol of life) and the Eye of Horus (protection)
  • Hieroglyphs often accompanied sculptures to convey meaning
• Greek and Roman Sculpture

  • Greek sculpture emphasized idealized human forms
  • Roman sculpture adopted Greek influence but added realistic elements
  • Depicted gods, heroes, athletes, and historical figures
• Idealized Human Form in Classical Sculpture

  • Strived for perfection and beauty
  • Represented an idealized version of the human body
  • Exemplified balance, proportion, and harmony
• Mythological Sculptures


  • Greek and Roman mythology provided inspiration
  • Depicted scenes from myths and legends
  • Often conveyed moral lessons or celebrated cultural values
• Megalithic Architecture


  • Constructed using large stones without mortar
  • Megalithic structures like Stonehenge and dolmens
  • Served religious, burial, and astronomical purposes
• Ancient Mesopotamian Architecture


  • Ziggurats were massive stepped structures with temples on top
  • Palaces and city walls showcased architectural advancements
  • Mud bricks were the primary building material
• Pre-Columbian Architecture


  • Maya, Inca, and Aztec civilizations created impressive structures
  • Pyramids, temples, and ceremonial complexes
  • Incorporated intricate carvings, vibrant murals, and symbolic motifs
• Dolmen


  • Large upright stones supporting a horizontal capstone
  • Used for burial chambers or ceremonial purposes
  • Examples include the dolmens of Carnac in France
• Menhir


  • Tall, vertical standing stones
  • Often erected in rows or circles
  • Symbolic or religious significance
  • Famous examples include the standing stones of Stonehenge
• Cromlech


  • Circular arrangement of megalithic stones
  • Used for ceremonial or religious purposes
  • Notable example is Stonehenge in England
• Egyptian Pyramid Complexes


  • Monumental structures built as tombs for pharaohs
  • Most famous example is the Great Pyramid of Giza
  • Consisted of pyramids, causeways, and mortuary temples
• Egyptian Temples and Obelisks

  • Dedicated to deities and pharaohs
  • Characterized by massive stone columns and intricate carvings
  • Obelisks served as symbols of power and were often paired
• Egyptian Mortuary Temples and Tombs

  • Funerary structures honoring deceased pharaohs
  • Elaborate decorations and scenes from the pharaoh's life
  • Luxor Temple and Valley of the Kings are notable examples
• Orders of Greek Architecture

  • Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian orders
  • Distinctive column styles and proportions
  • Exemplified in iconic buildings like the Parthenon
• Greek Temples and Theaters

  • Greek temples dedicated to gods and goddesses
  • Theaters used for dramatic performances
  • Acropolis of Athens and Theater of Epidaurus are famous examples
• Greek City Planning


  • Grid-like street layout in cities like Athens
  • Agoras (marketplaces) and public spaces for social gatherings
  • Emphasis on harmony and balance in urban design
• Hagia Sophia


  • Iconic Byzantine architectural masterpiece in Istanbul
  • Unique dome structure and intricate mosaics
  • Blended Byzantine, Roman, and Islamic influences