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Art 1/Artist Spotlights

You will be introduced to selected works of art and artists as they relate to the curriculum. In your sketchbook:
1. Complete a thumbnail sketch of the work
2. Document the #, heading, and credit line
3. Review all provided resources - take notes
4. Answer the questions completely and with specificity; complete sentences should reveal the question (write legibly or type/print)

Entries started in class must be completed as homework by the same day/next week

MORE ART HISTORY!

#5 Kouros

10/20/2017

Greece
ca. 530 BCE
Marble
approx. 6’ 4” high.
National Archaeological Museum, Athens

WATCH THESE 2 VIDEOS - take notes from each:

READ MORE HERE - and take some more notes!

AFTER CAREFULLY REVIEWING THE RESOURCES ASSIGNED ABOVE: Answer the following questions completely and with specificity to the provided resources, personal reflection, and additional research as needed:

During which period of Greek history was this Kouros sculpture made?
Define: 1) in-the-round, 2) relief, 3) symbolic, 4) naturalistic, 5) stylized, 6) abstract, 7) kouros, 8) kore
Explain some similarities and differences between the kouros sculptures and those preceding them - Paleolithic, Egyptian, and Cycladic.

CURIOUS? Here's more information:

The female counterpart to the Kouros is the Kore. Remember, all these statues were originally painted with bright colors. Here, you can paint your own Peplos Kore. If you have a color printer, you can complete one, print it out and include it in your sketchbook!

#4 Cycladic Figurine of a Woman

10/13/2017

Greek (Cycladic) 2400 BC
Marble
14.75 x 4.25 x 1.5 in.
(37.47 cm. x 10.80 cm.)
Virginia Museum of Fine Arts
(GO SEE THIS IN PERSON!)

READ AND VIEW THE INFORMATION PRESENTED BELOW (take notes from each source):

"Figurines of this type, from the Cyclades islands in the Aegean Sea, have been found almost exclusively in tombs. Although it was first believed that these so-called "idols" represent deities, they probably should be interpreted more broadly as representations of "femaleness." The geometric shapes, the position of the arms across the abdomen, and the close-set legs with dangling feet are distinctive and may appear strikingly modern to the viewer today. This example represents the high point of Cycladic figurine carving, when the form had become extremely elegant." (From http://art.thewalters.org/detail/31097/cycladic-female-figurine/:)

The Human Form in Cycladic Art

AFTER CAREFULLY REVIEWING THE RESOURCES ASSIGNED ABOVE: Answer the following questions completely and with specificity to the provided resources, personal reflection, and additional research as needed:

Explain the physical similarities and differences between this sculpture and the Woman of Willendorf.
What are some of the possible reasons that these sculptures were created?
What differences exist between the male and female versions of Cycladic sculptures?

CURIOUS? Here's some more information:

#3 Menkaura and Queen

10/12/2017

Egyptian
Old Kingdom, Dynasty 4, reign of Menkaura
2490–2472 B.C.
Greywacke, with traces of red and black paint
Height: 54 1/2"
Museum of Fine Arts, Boston

Read about this sculpture from the Boston Museum of Fine Arts website - take notes (please identify which notes are from class and which are from homework readings)

We will watch the full video in class but below is clip, which explains the Egyptian convention of composite - or twisted - perspective:

List 3 - 5 adjectives that describe these figures and the qualities they exude - their personalities, stance, overall appearance, etc.
a) Does Menkaura's stance seem natural? b) How would you feel if you stood in this position for an extended amount of time? Explain.
a) In addition to what the stance portrays, what is meant to be depicted by "the gaze" of these figures? b) Does this seem to be in line with the adjectives that you listed for question #1? Explain.

Art 1/Artist Spotlights

#5 Kouros

#4 Cycladic Figurine of a Woman

#3 Menkaura and Queen

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