Research Topics: Ancient Works Of Art

Running head: Ancient Works of Art

Running head: Ancient Works of Art   Introduction Ancient art works are one of the greatest pieces of art forms being created throughout the years, decades and centuries had past some of these art works are still known and preserved by famous and notable museums all over the globe for example the Louvre and Metropolitan Art museums.  This essay will select two art works presenting ancient culture from period of 30, 000 BCE up to 500 BCE by comparing and contrasting features of the two works like materials, styles, symbols and some other issues thereunto.   Body There is about Rhyton figure, a symbol of art from 500, 600-300 BCE. The first work of art selected is about Rhyton in the shape of an ibex linked from the metropolitan museum of art, Ancient Eastern art (see below figure), as noted from the iron Age, of 500 BCE located in Iran, northwestern region. Ideally, ceramic in its overall composition. In a form of a ceramic rhyton of an ibex wherein in Iran, theriomorphic vessels were popular, from Bronze and Iron ages. The selected work of art denote particular vessel with crudeness in the workmanship; it is composed of basic geometric forms, cylinders and cones, with a pouring hole fashioned in the center of the breast. The head projects in pyramid form and is more sensitively modeled than the rest of the body, with incised eyes and a triangular beard. In a manner characteristic of the work of Near Eastern artisans, the animal’s horns are elongated and emphasized. The legs are unnaturally short, there insures stability of the piece or to suit the convenience of the potter.     ‘Rhyton in the shape of an ibex, Iron Age; 500 B.C. Iran, northwestern region Ceramic; H. 27.8 cm, W. 28.3 cm’   Source: http://www.metmuseum.org/works_of_art/collection_database/ancient_near_eastern_art/rhyton_in_the_shape_of_an_ibex/objectview.aspx?page=3&sort=0&sortdir=asc&keyword=&fp=2&dd1=3&dd2=0&vw=1&collID=3&OID=30004361&vT=1   The next selected work of art is found in the Louvre museum comprising a head from the figure of a woman, Spedos type, Early Cycladic II (2700 BC–2300 BC) known within the Keros culture. The art material is more of stone based composition specifically marble base as compared to the rhyton in an ibex which is more of a ceramics composition, the art (in picture below) accounts the cycladic art  coming from ancient civilization of the latter, into the island of Aegean Sea from 3300 -2000 BCE. There had manifestation of marble idol form as used as offering towards the dead. Idol. There implies flat, geometric quality into striking resemblance of the present art work. This was brightly painted while the ceramic rhyton is darkly painted given the fact that ceramic composition is not the same with marble/stone like composition, but the figures have similar domain in terms of characterization wherein symbols refer to female genre which ideally depicting nudity (nude) of art formation but have difference to features and style as the latter art imply to arms folded across the stomach in which whether these idols depict goddess and or a Cycladic women. Thus, the art form assumes polychrome carved stone relief that decorated imperial monuments. The precisely delineated reliefs concern royal affairs, chiefly hunting and war making. Predominance is given to animal forms, particularly horses and lions, which are magnificently represented in great detail. Human figures are comparatively rigid and static but are also minutely detailed, as in triumphal scenes of sieges, battles, and individual combat but, several fine example of the carving may be seen at Metropolitan museums.     A head from the figure of a woman, Spedos type, Early Cycladic II (2700 BC–2300 BC) known within the Keros culture   Source: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/72/Head_figurine_Spedos_Louvre_Ma2709.jpg     Conclusion Therefore, the works of art fit into the context of the time period as during ancient culture, art works are depicted with rareness giving much weight to an abstract nature rather than concrete and well emphasized symbols and figure manifestation. The ceramic rhyton and the head from the figure of woman is not of the same texture, formation and its aesthetics assumptions but the two had existed on almost the same timeline even if recognized on different dates   Notes: The Metropolitan Museum of Art http://www.metmuseum.org/home.asp http://www.metmuseum.org/works_of_art/   The Louvre Museum http://www.louvre.fr/llv/commun/home.jsp?bmLocale=en http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Louvre   Credit:ivythesis.typepad.com

Running head: Ancient Works of Art

Running head: Ancient Works of Art Introduction Ancient art works are one of the greatest pieces of art forms being created t...