ARTHIST 101 1st Edition Lecture 4 Art History The Ancient Near East Middle East today defined by use of writing Mesopotamia Ancient River Valley Civilizations Egypt Nile River Mesopotamia Tigris and Euphrates Rivers Conflict between military is ancient Constant change between governments Military strength political power authority Focus on hierarchy polytheism multiple gods Trying to grow as close as possible to the Gods Greater knowledge of leftover density Cuneiform ties imagery with text Uruk Vase with presentation of offerings to Inanna alabaster Uruk Iraq c 3 200 3 000 BC Focus on power Carved Ritual vessel glorifications Amplifications of hierarchy resides in heaven Goddess of love and War Filling with Goods to make offerings to Goddess Inside and out carved time consuming Focus on water on bottom then animals nude farmers 3 registers Nudity humiliating Top register priests ceremonial bread animals sacrificed Offerings spread vertically due to importance Represent physical power through muscular intentions Composite view amplify the most descriptive forms of the body Profile view legs and face density Large eye connects to the Gods Standing Votive Statuettes Gypsum Inlaid with shell and black limestone Iraq c 2 700 BC Left inside temples devoted to multiple gods Men are larger than Women Goal is to give life within the figure Singular individuals architectural design Continual communion Large eyes amplify spiritual function Base amplifies permanence immovable lasting for generations Long plated beards authority and power Long kilts and bare chested to show masculinity Devotional forms long dress below her knees One breast exposed Family devotion Eyes above all else Standard of Ur Wood Inlaid with Shell lapis lazuli and red limestone rare medium Ur Iraq c 2600 BC Lapis is a precious stone Blue Royal power dominance Object owned by King Each side is same layout Raised on a pole amplify the power of King 3 registers Figures in scale hierarchy and composite view War Side Chronicle of events that lead to King composite view Attack between Sumerians and enemy Expansion of territory Bottom register Technological advancements Chariot great speed and control is extremely important Middle register Prisoners marched from battlefield infantry Strip enemies naked to humiliate them Top register Remove A shell on top to make presence for King Obey the king and it shows his extension of power by breaking the ceiling Peace Side King is always in top register Base farmers bringing cattle grain sheep Victory of War Toast Top right corner Musician lyre player Devotional thanksgiving Bullhead dominant symbol of masculinity and Power Mullet hair Uenuch paranoia Intensely masculine dominated setting Removing closest power to desire Propaganda through visual representations Bull headed Lyre Gold Leaf lapis lazuli over a wooden core Ur Iraq c 2600 BC Bulk of decoration is real Giant bullhead symbol of royal divine authority Hair on head beard masculine power lapis Amplifies the connections between music and real life Very strong understanding Sound box panel of bull headed lyre wood with inlaid shell Ur Iraq c 2600 BC Sense of hierarchy Gilgamesh symbol of noble warrior epic journey His friend is killed in battle why did he die and not him Takes a journey Sound box descent towards the underworld Top to Down embracing their power syphoning Legs in profile view Head in frontal view Nude describes humility to worship Gods Fuse a human head to animal to describe intelligence to raw power Animals make offerings Divine connection Scorpion describes that he was on his own quest Head of an Akkadian Ruler Copper Nineveh Iraq c 2250 2200 BC Overthrow dominant city states Life sized head copper royal function The Lost Wax Technique expensive media multiple steps of creation Plated hair with circlet wore into battle Different textures Naturalistic design to the face Vandalized by Neosumerians to send a message Eyes gouged out of head represents taking away strength Break communion with gods Broken ears to acknowledge he is nothing more than a common criminal