Midterm Essays

Question 1

Visual arts have been used as instruments for political propaganda. Provide and discuss in detail two artworks studied in class this semester from two different period that exemplify this statement, identifying them by its titles and the period styles they belong to.

Answer 1

Arch of Titus - It was constructed in c. AD 81 by Emperor Domitian shortly after the death of his older brother, Titus to commemorate his victories, like the Siege of Jerusalem in AD 70.
Period - Ancient Rome

Emperor Justinian and his Attendants (Church of San Vitale) - In the mosaic, Justinian is posed frontally in the center. He wears a crown and a purple imperial robe. To his left are the members of the clergy with the Bishop Maximianus of Ravenna with soldiers on the far left. On his right are the members of the imperial administration identified by the purple stripe.
Period - Byzantine Art

Question 2

Many times artworks are closely related to religious beliefs and rites. Provide and discuss in detail two artworks studied in class during this semester from two different periods that exemplify this statement, identifying them its titles and the period styles they belong to.

Answer 2

Parthenon - Building dedicated to the worship of the Greek goddess, Athena. Parthenon: Temple to the Virgin Goddess
Period - High Classical Period (Ancient Greece)

Pantheon - Building dedicated to the worship of every Roman god.
Pan - All/every Theo - Gods/divinity
Period - Ancient Rome

Question 3

One of the dominant themes in art history is the self-acclaimed divinity of humans. Choose two examples from two different periods studied in class during this semester and explain with specific evidence how they convey a close relationship between a human being and divinity.

Answer 3

Stele of Naram Sin - This piece shows political propaganda for Naram Sin as a powerful military leader. We can see this in his victorians posture, standing on his enemies. People around him are praying upwards to him or the suns.
Period - Mesopotamia/Babylonian (Ancient Near East)

Empress Theodora and her Attendants (Church of San Vitale) - Theodora is depicted with the same purple robe as Christ and Justinian. She and the attendants wait in a courtyard for the Emperor to commence the procession.
Period - Byzantine Art

Question 4

Many works from Early Christian and Byzantine Art and architecture rely on Greek and/or Roman models for inspiration. Using two examples, show which aspects of the works are Greek or Roman in inspiration, and which are newly interpreted.

Answer 4

The Good Shepherd -
Location: Catacombs of Priscilla
Influenced by: The Calf Bearer
Syncretism: Man standing upright/Four-legged animal over the man’s shoulders

Hagia Sophia -
Location: Istanbul
Influenced by: Church of Santa Constanza (Rome) (Central Plan)
Syncretism: Combination of Central and Basilica Plan

Question 5

Hagia Sophia is one of the marvels of Early Christian art. Write about these following ideas as they are seen in this structure.

Answer 5

a. The symbolical meaning of light in Hagia Sophia relating it to the meaning of its name.
The name Hagia Sophia means: Holy Wisdom

b. Presence of sacred geometry:
Circle - Earth
Square - God
Circle in Square - Heaven on Earth

Question 6

Explain the reasons why Islamic art discourages the representation of humans. Given this restriction, explain the three most common forms of ornamentation (decoration) that Muslim artists developed. Make sure you use vocabulary words to describe them.

Answer 6

Don’t believe in representing their god because of fear of idolism. Idolism: prayer to the idol and not the god. Instead, calligraphy, arabesque, and tessellation are done.