Cultural Context Analysis

Question 1

1. Identify the name of the piece, the period, and the artist and / or patron, if known
2. Explain how this piece reflects its cultural, social, historical or political context
3. Examine how this piece represents cultural values of its society

Answer 1

• Hellenistic Sculpture, c. 150-100 BCE.
• contrast to the idealism of the Classical Period,
• doesn’t attempt to perfect nature, and it appeals to our emotions
• invites the viewer to empathize with her hard life
• an individual in society who is consistent with the changed character of the era and a City where the wealthy could not avoid the poor or foreigners

Question 2

• Identify the name of the piece, the period, and the artist and / or patron, if known
• Discuss key figures that are associated with the piece
• Explain how this piece reflects its cultural, social, historical or political context
• Examine how this piece represents cultural values of its society
• Define and apply relevant Art History terminology to this piece

Answer 2

• Early Imperial Period
• Portrait of Augustus As General (Augustus of Prima Porta), from Prima Porta, Italy, ca. 20 BCE
• In 29 BCE, Octavian declared the pax romana (Roman peace) after many wars
• In 27 BCE, the senate bestowed the title of Augustus upon Octavian.
• a powerful propagandistic tool to teach Romans that Augustus = a god’s son, a military leader, restorer of Roman peace
• He built roads, bridges, forums, numerous statues of himself throughout the Roman Empire and provinces
• a reminder of his sole power
• an idealized portrait of the emperor.
• dons a Roman cuirass (body armor) communicating that the emperor acted with divine authority
• Cupid = connects to god ancestory, Venis!

Question 3

• Identify the name of the piece, the period, and the artist and / or patron, if known
• Discuss key figures that are associated with the piece
• Explain how this piece reflects its cultural, social, historical or political context
• Examine how this piece represents cultural values of its society
• Define and apply relevant Art History terminology to this piece

Answer 3

• Miracle of the Loaves and Fishes - Late Antiquity
• mosaic - top register
• the nave wall of Sant’Apollinare Nuovo, Ravenna, Italy,
• ca. 504.
• shows a youthful and beardless Christ flanked by some of his disciples
• The story comes from the Bible
• symbolized the Eucharist, the bread and wine offered by the priest on the altar
• TThe disciples wear Roman clothing, and Christ dons the official garb of a Roman emperor.
• His halo signifies His divinity.

Question 4

• Identify the name of the piece, the period, and the artist and / or patron, if known
• Explain how this piece reflects its cultural, social, historical or political context
• Examine how this piece represents cultural values of its society

Answer 4

• High Classical Period
• large temple to house the Phidian statue of Athena Parthenos;
• name refers to the image of Athena as a virgin goddess.
• a Doric temple but with Ionic elements
• The metopes filled with mythological scenes symbolized the Athenians’ struggle with the Persians.
• continuous Ionic frieze depicting the Panathenaea Festival procession, the most formal and important religious festival for the ancient Athenian
• reflects the Greeks’ quest for perfect mathematical proportions and harmony
• symbolic of the Golden Age of Athens under the rule of Pericles