lecture 3 Flashcards
When did Western civilizations begin placing art in museums?
In the last few hundred years (c. 1700s–present).
What was the primary purpose of art before museums?
To help people experience religion.
How is visual art defined?
Creative work that visually communicates meaning beyond language.
What is aniconism?
The absence or prohibition of images, especially of divine figures, to prevent idolatry.
When did aniconism appear in major religions?
Various times—early Christianity, early Buddhism, and Islam (7th century CE onwards).
How is aniconism present in Islamic art?
Through abstract patterns and Arabic calligraphy.
When was anthropomorphic representation adopted in Christianity and Buddhism?
Centuries after their founding—around 4th–6th centuries CE.
What period is the ante-Nicene period?
Circa 100–325 CE.
What symbols were used to represent Jesus during the ante-Nicene period?
Ichthys (fish), anchor, staurogram, peacock.
What is a pictogram and when were they used in Christianity?
A symbol that conveys meaning visually—used 2nd–3rd centuries CE.
What is the Epitaph of Licinia Amias?
A Christian funerary marker with fish symbols, dated to 2nd–3rd century CE.
What is one of the oldest known portraits of Jesus?
A wall painting from Syria, 232–235 CE, showing Christ healing a paralytic.
What is the Christ Pantocrator icon and its date?
A dual-nature depiction of Christ, dated 548–565 CE, Mount Sinai, Egypt.
When did depictions of Christ reflect imperial iconography?
After Christianity was legalized (post-313 CE, under Constantine the Great).
When did Christianity become a legal religion in the Roman Empire?
313 CE (Edict of Milan).
When did Constantinople fall?
1453 CE.
When did Islam originate?
610 CE, Prophet Muhammad’s first revelation.
What text records Muhammad’s life and is used in Islamic art history?
Jami al-Tawarikh (c. 1306–1314 CE).
When was the Siyer-i Nebi manuscript created?
1595–96 CE, Ottoman Empire.
What is the Ibn Tulun Mosque and when was it built?
A mosque in Cairo, 876–879 CE.
When was the Qur’an standardized into a fixed text?
During Caliph Uthman’s reign, 644–656 CE.
When were the earliest Qur’an manuscripts created?
Mid-to-late 7th century CE.
What is the Ma’il Qur’an and its date?
One of the oldest surviving Qur’ans, 8th century CE.
When was the Qur’an manuscript from Aceh (Indonesia) made?
Date not specified, but later than 7th century—likely post-12th century.
What is the Sultan Baybars’ Qur’an and when was it created?
An illuminated Qur’an, 14th century CE.
What is Muqarnas and when was it developed?
A decorative Islamic architectural element, widely used from the 12th century CE onward.
When was the Alhambra built?
1238–1358 CE, Granada, Spain.
When was the Shah Mosque (Isfahan, Iran) completed?
1629 CE.
