LESSON 7: ART IN EARLY CIVILIZATIONS

PREHISTORIC ART
Stone Age is a term used to describe a period of history when stones were used to make tools
for survival. The term "conjures an image of men and women dressed in skins, huddling before
a fire in a cave" (Fitchner-Rathus, 2013).

Though prehistoric humans would not necessarily possess the complex rational capabilities to
tell their story through written records and accounts, some artifacts in the form of cave paintings
and sculptures would serve as the "storytellers.”

The early people produced such materials that reflect their attitudes and belief systems on
spiritual, social, political, and economic matters. Central to the representation of early
civilizations would be the establishing of possible linkages among art, religion, and life.

The three periods of the Stone Age culture (14,000- 2,000 BCE):

Paleolithic (the late years of the Old Stone Age)

Paleolithic Art is 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
attempts to create art.

Hall of Bulls found in a cave in Lascaux, France

Two boys chased after their dog into a hole where their ball got stuck in. When they followed the
dog, they were astonished to discover a cave with beautiful paintings. The cave paintings would
eventually be called the "Hall of Bulls.”

Although most people would think that early humans were primitive, some of their art techniques
were considered advanced for their time.

(Some of the early humans already used their own version of spray-painting techniques by
using ground pigments blown through reeds or hollowed-out bones since these were the readily
available materials for them. Aside from this spray-painting technique, early humans also
worked with foreshortening and contrasting of lights and shadows. These techniques created
the illusion of three- dimensional forms and a seemingly real representation of animals.)

Some believed that there was a linkage between what was drawn and what could happen
in real life. For example, drawing or painting the capture of a prey would translate to an actual
capturing of an animal in real life. In addition, some of the works found reflected some of the
early beliefs of humans especially with life and fertility.

(One of the works that reflected such beliefs would be a sculpture called the "Venus of
Willendorf”)
Venus of Willendorf
This figure is a highly abstracted woman from highlighted body parts associated with fertility.
The sculpture shows that the woman has oversized breasts. enlarged hips, and round
abdomen. The representation may show the importance of taking care of these body parts for
procreation and consequently the survival of species.

● the women of willendorf

● fertility and childbearing

Mesolithic (Middle Stone Age)

Mesolithic means "middle stone age”, the transition from old stone age to new stone age. this is
when humans gave up their nomadic lifestyles, and started building their dwellings ngs bodies
of water. Paleolithic cave art depicts colored drawings and expressive features of animals using
a full range of colors. Mesolithic art in contrast is schematic, no realistic figures are present and
only the color red is used. Bowmen and deer, cliff painting Los caballos, Spain, 10,000-9000
BC.

Neolithic (New Stone Age)

Neolithic art has developed especially when life for the early humans has become more stable.
They have learned to cultivate the land and domesticate animals. By 4000 BCE, there were
several monumental and architectural structures erected. One of them is the Stonehenge
located in Southern England.

(Some regard it as a temple while others see it as 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. For whatever purpose it was
built on, it still remains as one of the architectural wonders the world has ever seen.)

EGYPTIAN ART
We can notice that Egyptian art is something religious and spiritual for the Egyptians. 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.

old kingdom
During the Old Kingdom, it was evident that religion was bound to the afterlife. A concrete
manifestation of this would have to be the erection of tombs. They decorated the tombs with
everyday objects that would reflect day- to-day activities because the tombs were not just for
keeping the dead bodies of important people, particularly the pharaohs; they also served as a
shelter for the next journey, which is the afterlife.

(through this decorations, it was as if the afterlife is a mere continuation of what transpired on
earth.)
One of the cosmetic palettes found in Egypt was called the 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 unification was significant
because it marked the beginning of their civilization.

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.

(These pyramids are massive in size and were constructed using roughly more than two million
limestone blocks. The stones used for the pyramids were quarried from a nearby plateau. The
construction of the pyramids highlighted the ingenuity and advancement of the Egyptians for
their time.)

The stacking process also showed the advancement of the Egyptians since they already used a
system of ropes and pulleys. They finished it off by applying the surface with limestone for a
more refined and flawless finish. The construction of the pyramids did not only show the
brilliance of the early Egyptians but it also highlighted the reverence of the people to their
pharaoh at the expense of the citizens.

middle kingdom
One of the key features of the Middle Kingdom is a shift in the political hierarchy. There is an
emergence of powerful groups of landlords that threatened the authority and rule of the
pharaoh. Because of the internal struggle between these two influential sides, art has taken a
back seat during the Middle Kingdom.

Art during the Middle Kingdom had some references from the Old Kingdom, however there were
some experimentation in terms of style that transpired during this period. Portrait sculptures and
fresco paintings that were freely drawn are some of the styles that emerged during this period.

new kingdom
The art of the New Kingdom had references from both of the preceding kingdoms. Monuments
and sculptures were still linked with death and reverence for the deceased. During the previous
kingdoms, tombs were just used for worshipping the dead but with the New Kingdom, they
started having mortuary temples. These temples, which were carved out of living rocks, served
not only a sanctuary for the dead but also a place of worship for the living.

Most sculptures during this period had curving lines and full-bodied forms. There is emphasis to
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.

The bust of Queen Nefertiti (Figure 6) has a long and sensuous neck. This figure was enhanced
by applying paint to the limestone.
Probably one of the greatest discoveries from the Egyptian civilization was the tomb of
Tutankhamen. He became king at a very young age and died at the age of eighteen. Howard
Carter discovered his tomb in 1922.

One of the early civilizations where art flourished was the Egyptian civilization. Throughout the
three kingdoms all the way to the Amarna Revolution, art has been directly used particularly in
religious and spiritual activities. Through these unearthed and discovered artworks, the modern
world could have a better understanding of the past and how it can affect the present

LESSON 8: ART OF EMERGING EUROPE

ANCIENT GREECE
The Greeks were known to excel in various fields and aspects of society. For example, their
political ideals eventually became the framework for the democratic form of government in
modern times. They also valued poetry, drama, and philosophy, which remain interesting fields
of study for the contemporary times. For those who want to be involved in the arts- painting,
sculpture, and architecture- one is required to have a certain skill sets and body of knowledge.
The Greeks were known to place prime importance in the use of reason. For this civilization,
man was at the center of society and how they trained their minds could be the very foundation
of how they lived their lives. The humanist ideals of the Greeks were reflected in their
democratic form of government. This certain level of freedom was also reflected in their
artworks, architecture, literature, and philosophy. The Greeks were notably passionate about
natural phenomenon and believed that nature should be in perfect order. These principles, belief
systems, and ideologies are at the core of Greek art and architecture.

The development of Greek art can be divided into four periods: Geometric, Archaic, Classical,
and Hellenistic.

The Geometric Period was a time when Greece was starting to get back from the onslaught of
what seemed to be their Dark Ages. It was a period when geometric shapes and patterns have
taken the spotlight in most of the artworks.

The Archaic Period, on the other hand, placed importance on human figures. This was
primarily a result of Greece's trading activities with other civilizations.

The peak of Greek sculpture and architecture was during the Classical Period. It was during
this time when the Greeks found themselves rebuilding their temples and focusing on creating
artworks.

The time of Alexander the Great was called the Hellenistic Period. During this time, art was
primarily focused on showcasing emotions and depicting reality. Hellenistic sculptures started to
emphasize balance while showcasing dynamic poses and a number of emotions evoked by the
subjects.
One of the famous Hellenistic sculptures is is the "Lacoon and His Sons."' The sculpture depicts
Lacoon, a Trojan priest, and his sons being strangled by serpents. Their position was a result of
Lacoon's instructions during the Trojan War. He instructed to keep the gates of Troy locked up
because he felt that the wooden horse offered by the Greeks as gift to Athena was a trick.
Poseidon, the Greek god of the sea was enraged by such action which led him to send serpents
to strangle Lacoon and his sons.

*Figure 8* "Lacoon and His Sons." This is an example of work wherein the Greeks
emphasized the details of the body. Most subjects of their work included that of the gods from
Greek mythology.

ANCIENT ROME
The Roman Republic was established around 500 BCE. This civilization eventually transformed
into one of Western Europe's mightiest empires. Since they had expanded and covered many
territories, they interacted with neighboring civilizations, particularly with the Greeks.

It can be said that Roman civilization came of age during the Hellenistic Period. As mentioned
earlier, it was a period when Greek culture's influence reached its peak in the Mediterranean
world. The Romans were fond of the Greeks and their achievements in the arts. The fusion of
Greek and Roman cultures can be seen in most Roman artworks. Some would argue that the
Romans merely copied Greek art. This eventually made the Romans produce artworks that are
often looking stemn, harsh, and strong. They also invoked the principles of realism in most of
their works, highlighting the features of human beings.

Aside from this, the Romans were also known to be master builders, which earned their
reputation for grand monuments and architectural infrastructures. One of their architectural
achievements would have to be the Colosseum. This amphitheater was planned and
constructed during the reign of Emperor Vespasian. One of its main uses was for entertainment
purposes like public events and gladiator games. This structure was a concrete manifestation of
Roman builders' craftsmanship which focused on logical organization of the entire edifice.

*Figure 9* "Poseidon and Medusa". Just like the Greeks, the Romans valued their gods and
this was evident with their sculptures and artworks.

MIDDLE AGES
•Definition: Period between the decline of the Roman Empire and the Renaissance.
•Characterized by ignorance and darkness.
•The Church was the central figure and authority.
•Due to the Church's prominence, Christian scriptures were crucial and copied by hand.
•Printing press was not yet invented, so copying was manual.
•Copies included illustrations and decorations, emphasizing the religious focus.
•Great cathedrals built during this time.
•Romanesque (1050-1200) inspired by the Roman Empire, and Gothic (1200-1500) with
a northern, Gothic influence.

RENAISSANCE ART
Renaissance Art
•Artists valued the "individual" as a primary subject.
•Humanism influenced artworks to empower the individual.
• Emphasis on naturalism, with a focus on the proportionality of the human body.
• Artists incorporated perspective to provide a three-dimensional view in paintings.
•Renaissance artists explored non-religious subjects alongside religious themes.
• Privatization of art led to a diversity of themes while maintaining religious focus.
•Roman theatrical plays were revived and performed at the courts of Italian princes
during special occasions.
•Plays showcased grand entertainment with elaborate stages, costumes, song, and
dance.
•This theatrical tradition eventually evolved into Italy's opera, influencing their tradition of
popular theater.

Mannerism
• Period: Followed the Renaissance Period in art history.
•Mannerism emerged as a product of the Renaissance.
•Renaissance artists emulated nature based on observations.
• After the Renaissance, artists began directly copying from existing artworks.
•Most artworks during this period displayed distorted figures, two-dimensional spaces,
discordant hues and colors, and lack of defined focal point.

BAROQUE AND THE ROCOCO

- The tern "baroque" is derived from the Portuguese term barocco, which is translated as
"irregularly shaped pearl".
- Rome was the birthplace of the Baroque Period, which according to some historians
was a response to Protestantism.
- This period roughly spanned from 1600 to 1750.
- Most artists used colorful palettes and ornamentation in their works.
- This was a time when Italy in particular, strengthened not only their religion but also
other aspects like politics and art.
- Expansion was the central theme of this period, which became very much evident in
the artworks produced during this time.
- Motion and space were taken into consideration by artists like the use of dramatic
lighting and the concept of time.
- Aside from art, music also flourished during the Baroque Period, because people
believed that music could serve as powerful tool to communicate.
- Well known baroque composers include Germany's Back and Handel.
NEOCLASSICISM
- Was a movement in Europe that transpired during the late 18th and early 19th
centuries.
- It was the dominant art movement that time which basically aimed to revive and
rekindle the influences of Greek and Roman into art and architecture.
- The Ancient Greeks and Europeans had placed emphasis on human reason and
keeping society in order. These very principles were also the dominant principles during
the Enlightenment Period.

ROMANTICISM
- as an art movement, used the central themes of Neoclassicism artworks as a
springboard.
- Romanticists highlighted heroic elements in their works, mostly from the Ages of
Revolution such as the focal point of movement in the French Revolution.

MAJOR AND CENTRAL THEMES OF ROMANTICISM

— major and center: emphasis on the goodness of mankind.
— most works promoted: justice, equality, and social order.
— artists emphasized: emotions and feelings of man which was a deviation from the
humanist principle of rationalism.
Example of artwork: The raft of Medusa by Théodore Géricault

REALISM (esplanada)
- as a style of work, focuses on the accuracy of details that depicts and somehow mirrors
reality.
- was heavily influenced by Hellenistic Greek culture (artworks put emphasis on human
body).
- as a modern art movement, veered away from traditional forms of art in a way that ir
revolutionized themes and techniques in paintings.
— idealistic concepts and images were replaced by real manifestations of society.
— a movement to combine both art and life in artistic works since the modern world were
suirable for the subject of art.
— it also reexamined existing belief systems and traditions.
Example: A Burial at Ornans by Gustave Courbet

IMPRESSIONISM
The Impressionism movement started in France, which led to a break from the tradition in
European painting.

Impressionism - is a style of painting that emerged in the mid- to late 1800s.

Impressionist artists incorporated scientific principles to achieve a more distinct representation
of color. The distinctive characterizations of the style include small, visible brushstrokes that
offer the bare impression of form, unblended color and an emphasis on the accurate depiction of
natural light.

The said impression is communicated by the artist through his work and can be seen through
the brushstrokes, distinction of colors, and the lights and shadows used by the artist.

Édouard Manet, Claude Monet, Edgar Degas, Pierre-Auguste Renoir, and Camille Pissarro
are some of the famous impressionist artists.

Post-Impressionism
It is an art movement that emerged in France, which is a result of both the influence and
rejection of Impressionism.

Most artists that belong to this movement started off as impressionists but later on saw the
inherent limitations and flaws of impressionism. This eventually led to the development of
individual style that gave emphasis to defining from with the use of broken colors and short
brush stroke.

Some of the famous post-impressionist artists include:

Paul Cezanne,
Georges Seurat
Paul Gauguin, and
Vincent van Gogh

NEO-IMPRESSIONISM
— as an art movement, is a response to empirical realism of impressionism.
— most painters rely on systematic and scientific techniques that have a predetermined
visual effects not only on the art work itself but also how the audience perceive the art.
GEORGES SEURAT
— leading figure of neo-impressionism that recorded the optical sensations on scientific
manner.
— his color theory paved the way for pointilism.
— pointilism: an art technique that basically utilizes discrete dots and dashes of pure
color.
Example: A Sunday on La Grande Jatte by Seurat
OTHER ARTISTS
— Henri-Edmond Cross
— Maximillien Luce
— Camille Pissarro

ART NOUVEAU
Between 1890 and 1910, countries from Europe and the United States witnessed the
emergence and flourishing of a new art style. This ornamental style of art was a break from the
conservative historicism, which was the prevailing and dominant theme of most Western
artworks. This ornamental style uses long and organic lines that are concretely manifested in
architecture, jewelry and glass design, among others. In most works, the defining characteristic
of Art Nouveau is the asymmetrical line that usually 15 in the form of insect wings or flower
stalks. The line is done in such graceful and elegant manner that somehow evokes a certain
power to it.

FAUVISM (gamalo)
•Emergence: Style of painting in France around the early 20th century.
•Use of Pure and Vibrant Colors: Fauvists applied vivid colors directly from paint tubes to
the canvas.
•Aimed to create an explosion of colors on the canvas.
•Similar to impressionists, fauves are painted directly from nature.
•Fauves portrayed subjects with strong and expressive reactions.
•Fauvist works rejected traditional three-dimensional space rendering.
• Introduced a picture space defined by the movement and application of color.

CUBISM
Between 1907 and 1914, French artists Pablo Picasso and Georges Braque introduced a new
visual arts style called cubism. This style would later on have a huge influence on artists during
the twentieth century. Cubists highlighted the two- dimensional surface of the picture plane.
Focusing on a flat surface was a rejection of the dominant techniques like the use of
perspective, foreshortening, and modeling.

FUTURISM
It is an early twentieth century art movement that started in Italy, which highlighted the speed,
energy, dynamism, and power of machines, In addition, common themes for works in this
movement are restlessness and the fast-pace of modern life. Later on, the movement's
influence branched out not only in Europe but also in Russia. The greatest impact of futurism is
evident in poetry and visual arts.