Chap 15 notes

Chapter 15 The Classical and Medieval West

Greek –
Archaic - more rigid in stance due to equal weight on both feet. The anatomy is abstracted or simplified, and there is no emotion apparent, the eyes generally stare forward.

Kouros – youthful boy
Kore – youthful girl

Classical - there is an increased interest in accurate human anatomy, the pose becomes more natural and relaxed as the weight is shifted from one leg to the other, in a and there is a sense of idealism, figures of this period are of their ideal physical types. Emotion is also restrained in the classical style.
Hellenistic - anatomy continues to be well observed and there is an increased interest in movement or action of the figures. In addition, there is less idealism and more stress on expression of emotions.

Architectural column orders - Doric, which came first is simple, geometric and sturdy.
Ionic is taller, more dynamic and feminine in nature.
Corinthian is complex and organic.

Many of the Greek sculptures were painted.

Roman –
Romans invented concrete.

Roman sculptures strove for complete realism, images of gods and goddesses were often idealized. They made great efforts to preserve the legacy of the Ancient Greeks by creating perfect copies of many of their broken sculptures.

The Pantheon, a Roman Temple, was the first temple to combine concrete construction with the decorative use of Greek classical orders.

Illuminated Manuscript - a hand-lettered religious book produced by monks representing Christianity

Basilica cross – a style of Christian church that eventually came to represent the image of the cross

Flying buttresses - a system for propping up the buildings with an exterior support

Romanesque architectural sculpture designs tend to be very flat, shallow reliefs of biblical stories and figures.

Gothic architectural sculpture tends to be much more three dimensional and the figures start to come to life the carved bodies are full-volumed. In addition, the features are much more naturalistic, more human and individualized. This trend will influence the beginnings of Renaissance sculpture as well as painting.

Hierarchic scale – most important figure in center and larger than everything else
Language of Time
B.C. (B.C.E./B.P.) - B.C. means "before Christ." B.C. dates start with the year 0 and move back in time. Less often used are B.C.E., "before the common era," and B.P., "before present."

A.D. (C.E.) - A.D. means "anno domini," or "year of our Lord." A.D. dates start with the year 0 and move forward in time. Less often used is C.E., "common era."

c. (circa) - means "about" or "around"; used when a specific date isn't known.

Parts of the Church –
Basilica – a roman town hall with three aisles and an apse at one or both ends. Christians appropriated this form for their churches.

Apse – semicircular end to an aisle in a Christian church usually placed at the eastern end of the central aisle

Transept – lateral arms of the church

Altar – elevated space where the religious ceremony is held

Nave – tall central space of a church or cathedral flanked by side aisles