MIDTERM STUDY GUIDE

PART 1- DEFINE & USE FOR COMPARE/CONTRAST ESSAY

Linear Perspective A type of perspective done according to mathematical rules in
which the relative size, shape, and position of objects are determined by drawn or
imagined lines converging in the distance and meeting at a vanishing point on the
horizon.
Naturalism Type of art that is very accurate with precise details and portrays
things as they are . ( Very detailed and realistic)
Style A manner of creating a work of art or architecture using conventions,
techniques and different medium that is consistent, recognizable manner of
expression using elements of forms to make a work identifiable, of a particular
culture, period, region, group. Or person artist.
Historic Style Tied to a specific Culture or period in history
Individual Style Personal manner in which an artist paints (After 16th
century)
Greek Idealization forms were perfected to convey harmony and beauty
mathematically perfect ratio making the representation more human than human
by the Greeks from the classical period .
Ideals of beauty Based made of forms, forms of proportion of beauty and number.
Movement, Naturalism, balance Rhythmus.
Cultural Context The original function of an art from its true origin.
Ethnocentrism Evaluation of other cultures according to the standards of ones
own culture. (Own culture is superior)
De-Contextualization [provide a general example] not explained in the cultural
context to be understood. When an artwork is not explained through its cultural
context, merely which is consequently misunderstood.
Primitive Art The classical artistic tradition of the non-western cultures. (Less
advanced) (Timeless, Non-narrative, static [no movement], abstract, stylized)
Western Art Heritage / originated from Greek & Roman art. Praised and copied
greek representations of ideal body. Realism, naturalism, standard of beauty.

Notes Monday 8/11/14 Day before midterm

PART 1----How do people express their religious beliefs?
-Visual representations help people relate to the supernatural world
Animistic they believe the world is inhabited by spirits, supernatural beings.
Polytheistic They think there are many deities, gods, and goddesses.
Monotheistic They believe there is only one god creator.
Animism world animated by spirits, considered origin of religion.
Part of the religious world of hunter-gatherers people
Shamanism--------Shaman intermediary between human and spirit world healer, a priest, native
American medicine man.
His body can be possessed by spirits and communicates with (mounted by spirits)
[AFRICA ]
Or fly to the world of spirits to communicate and intercede for humans.
Bird like flight of the soul [ASIA]
Part 2----How do people represent their deities?
Zoomorphic Animals are symbols of deities
Anthropomorphic Deities made at the image of the human body
Composite part zoomorphic, part anthropomorphic
Geometric Such as the circle, symbol of oneness, eternity and resurrection.

Artist/Culture: Picasso
Title: Ladies of avignon
Medium/technique: Oil on canvas
Style of the period: 20th century abstraction style
Function: Acts as a reference to African art
COMPARE CONTRAST
GREEK Polykleites was the first sculptor to innovate to represent movement in a
figure using a convention named by Italian Renaissance artitsts contrapposto.
MARBLE STATUE
BAULE - Baule art is sophisticated and stylistically diverse. Non-inherited,

the sculptors profession is the result of a personal choice. Generally in

African art, wooden sculptures and masks allow a closer contact with the
supernatural world.
The Baule are also noted for their fine wooden sculpture, particularly for
their ritual figures representing spirits; these are associated with the
ancestor cult.
DOGON - One of the most popular types of masks in the Sanga region is the type known as kanaga.
Like other Dogon masks, kanaga masks are worn at rituals called dama, whose goal is to transport the
souls of deceased family members away from the village and to enhance the prestige of the deceased
and his descendants by magnificent masked performances and generous displays of hospitality
The primordial couple, Dogon ancestors, is represented sitting on a stool, the base of which depicts the
earth, while the upper surface represents the sky.
The generally oval heads; the exaggerated and pointed breasts of the female; the extremely squared
shoulders; the arms and legs which line up parallel or at right angles: these are all distinctive of the Dogon
sculptural language.

KWAKIUTL -

VAN EYCK , Ghent Altarpiece adoration of the mystic lamb

OIL on painting, FLEMISH RENAISSANCE 1432

The work here are the upper top two wings opened of the huge complex panel
altarpiece, known as the Ghent Altarpiece.
Positioned from left to right, we have Adam, 6 singing angels, and what appears to
be 4 angels playing an instrument, and Eve on the right.
Above Adam appears to be two men gazing to the top left of their direction, with
one man offering his lamb and the other presenting his lamb.
And above eve appears to be a man on top of another man about to kill the man with
a cleaver on the bottom.
Adam and Eve appear to be nude, and these figures were among the most
naturalistic male and female nudes in the European renaissance.
Symmetrical, naturalistic, religious function.
Adam and eve are the objects of salvation, mankind.
Singing angels angelic choir of heaven.
Cain and abel
Abel sacrificing his first lamb of his flock, Cain presenting part of his crops as a
farmer to the lord.
Cain murdering abel with a donkeys jawbone.
Style A manner of creating a work of art or architecture using conventions,
techniques, and different medium that is consistent, recognizable manner of
expressionr using forms of elements making works identifiable, particularly of
culture,region, group, or artist.