Formal AnalysisPrehistoric Art &

Mesopotamian ArtReview

By AP Art History 2012

Age ?Physical, Stylistic or Documentary Evidence

Documentary

StylePersonal, Regional, Period Style

Stylistic

Subject Mater/ContextReligious, Mythological, Landscape, Genre, Gender, Still Life

FunctionCommemorate, Propaganda, Expression, Wealth

Prehistoric: Paleolithic Cave Paintings Lascaux & Altamira

Twisted Perspective, Contour Lines & Silhouettes, Descriptive not Optical

Human Figure with Feline Head,Holhenstein Stadel, Composite Creature, Carefully Incised with details

Woman of Willendorf (Venus)

Neolithic Revolution!Controlled environment, herding & farming, established religion & law, created tools,

pottery & writing system…(Sumerians 1st w/ cuneiform)

i

Tower of Jericho & Jericho SkullsNeolithic Revolution1st Permanent Stone Fortification, Religious Significance

Catal Huyuk Landscape with Volcanic Eruption1st LandscapeRectilinear Shaped

Catal Huyuk, Deer Hunt1st Pictorial Narrative, Large Organized Group, Individuals, Rhythmic

Patterns

Stone HengeMegaliths, Post & Lintels, Religious/Funerary Significance

Ancient Near East

Mesopotamia, Land between

Two Rivers,Tigris &

Euphrates,Fertile Crescent

Sumerians1st writing system (cuneiform), math system, wheel, irrigation, city-states,

gigantic architecture

60+60=120

Ziggurats,White Temple,Temple of Ur,Temple of the godsMud Brick & BitumenBent AxisCella or Waiting room for gods

Statuettes of worshipers from the Square Temple at Eshnunna,

Iraq 2700 BCE Gypsum inlaid with shell and black limestone, tallest 2’ 6“Votive Figures

•Perpetual Prayer•Found under Temple Floor•Head tilted, gaze up•Big eyes, little hands•Disproportionate•Simple Forms •Cone / Cylinder•Arms @ chest in prayer•Clothing

Victory Stele of Naram-SinStele commemorates the victory over the Lullubi people.

The god-like Akkadian kings ruled with absolute authority.

Storming the mountain, like scaling a ladder to the heavens (like building ziggurat towers)

Organized and disciplined troops

He’s a god on earth but also the humans' intermediary between them and the other gods

The first time a King is represented as a god.

He is wearing the horned helmet showing his god-like status and is carrying numerous weapons including spears and a bow.

Composite view/ Hierarchal Scale

Law code of Hammurabi Stele from Susa, Iran, 1780 bce BASALT

Hammurabi is portrayed receiving the laws directly from Shamash the sun god (a parallel to Moses). Shamash is the dominate figure:•seated on his throne• wears a crown composed of four pairs of horns• holds a ring and staff •has flames issuing from his shoulders

Although Hammurabi is subservient to the god he still makes a powerful authority statement by addressing the god directly.

Lamassu (winged, human-headed bull)

Citadel of Sargon II, Iraq720-705 BCE.

Limestone, approx. 13' 10 high

Lamassu were depicted as hybrids, winged bulls or lions with the head of a human male

The horned cap attests to their divinity, and the belt signifies their power.

The sculptor gave these guardian figures five legs so that they appear to be standing firmly

when viewed from the front but striding forward when seen from the side.

Composite creature & man

Ishtar Gate Babylon, Iraq, ca. 575 BCE. Glazed brick.

Persepolis (royal audience hall or Apadana) Iran, 521–465 BCEDuilt by Darius I & XerxesVictory NarrativePropaganda