The Ancient and Medieval Worlds

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Akkadian Art (c. 2340–2180 BCE.)

Monument of Naramsin (Victory Stele of Naramsin), c. 2270 BCE. Found in Susa (modern Shush), Iran. Sandstone, height 79” (200 cm). Louvre, Paris (G 44).

- low-relief, hierarchical scale

- Akkadian took over sumerians. Spoke language similar to Hebrew and Arabic. Naramsin was king and conquered sumeria. Art gets used in a new way, glorification and politics, such as this piece. There is writing telling what is happening. This is a historical artwork because it depicts actual event. Carved on sandstone boulder. Originally painted. This image depicts Naram on mountain, heavily armed wearing helmet which signifies rank. Below king are several members of army. Focuses on the victory is Narams personal achievement, while Standard focuses on everyone. Shoulders and face slightly turned unlike others.

Head of an Akkadian ruler, c. 2300–2200 BCE. Found in Niniveh (modern Kuyunjik), Iraq. Copper, height 12” (30.7 cm). Iraq Museum, Baghdad.

- lost-wax casting

- Brought as booty, like your mom.

- Oldest bronze cast that we know of. Hollow on the inside.

- Pehrpas placed on a larger statue.

- Cast metal.

- It was made by lost – wax casting.

- Head of ruler. It was vandalized because it was a ruler, this was a popular practice.

- Hair was braided.

- Much more attempt to please ruler, unlike the votive statues.

- Head conveys a nicer person. Looks calm, slight smile

- Beard curls can be compared to the bulls in the harp.

Assyrian Art (1360–612 BCE.)

Reconstruction drawing of the citadel of Sargon II at Dur Sharrukin (modern Khorsabad), Iraq, c. 720–705 BCE.

- Lamassu. Limestone, height 13’10” (4.25 m). Louvre, Paris.

- Assyrians fierce warriors. First ones to use iron weapons. Had large amount of land until teamed up on and FUCKING MURDERED!!!

- Made of mud brick. Adopted custom of putting temple on top of ziggaraut

- Very large, palace covered by a citadel. 6 temples here.

- Thought that palaces were very well decorated. Tall walls and sculptures meant to project power and invincibility.

Assyrian Army Besieging a Fortress, c. 883–859 BCE. Detail of alabaster relief from the palace of King Asurnasirpal II at Nimrud (Kalhu), Iraq, British Museum, London (G 45)

Archers on top of tower, trying to burn batering ram. King participates from bow accompanied by guard. There is a woman holding her head, this is gesture of mourning the future fate of her country. First time we see enemy fighting back. Makes victory look greater, Makes it more believable. So much detail makes the viewer think it was true. Never a dead or wounded Assyrian. Emphasizes how to invincible they were. Scale is inconsistent. Why the fuck did they do that… idiots.

King Ashurbanipal Hunting Lions, c. 650 BCE. Alabaster relief from the palace of King Ashurbanipal I at Niniveh (modern Kuyunjik), Iraq. British Museum, London.

He controlled a vast empire. Hunts were placed in palace. Animals are very beautiful, great detail, while humans are very stiff. Captured the emotions of animals while humans are emotionless.

LAHS-231 The Ancient and Medieval Worlds 3

ART FOR ETERNITY: EGYPTIAN ART

Early Dynastic (Dynasties 1–2, c. 3000–2780 BCE.)

Palette of King Narmer, c. 3000–2920 BCE. From Hierakonpolis, Egypt. Slate, height 25”

(63.5 cm). Egyptian Museum, Cairo.

- Hieroglyphs, Hathor, Horus

- One of the oldest Egyptian artworks. Set up gov and writing.

- This piece records special event, celebrates defeat of lower Egypt. King Narmer united the extension of Egypt that it still pretty much has today. Godamn that area sucks.

- Probably an offering.

- In the shape of a pallete which was used to mix pigments and shit. Maybe it was used for makeup, who gives a fuck.

- Fact the king is barefoot means he is on sacred ground and this is a ritual.

- Falcon is god and protects king. God is named horos.

- On opposite side also barefoot. Not actual even still a ritual. He is inspecting a group of ten defeated enemies which are stack and beheaded.

- Script on top means house of horrors.

- Tail of bull gives him superhuman strength.

- NI eygptyiion lions supposed to be guardians.

- Compared to ur,, Standard is easier to understand. Story on palate is not direct you would have to memorize symbols. What dicks.

- Conquest brought on by only by the king, as religious act brought on by god king on behalf of the Gods.

- Like Ur, it is a narrative. Also similar because it divided in several areas. Most important figure shown larger.

- Hallmarks of Egypt are is that it is very organized.

The Old Kingdom (Dynasties 3–8, 2780–2258 BCE.)

Imhotep, Stepped Pyramid and funerary complex of King Djoser at Saqqara, Egypt,

c. 2750 BCE.

- section, plan, and restored view of an Egyptian mastaba tomb

- engaged column, fluted column shaft

- Tombs had to last forever because the after life lasted forever

- Mastaba tomb “bench tomb”. Probably built in 19 years.

- More mastabas built on to create a step pyramid shape. Very 1st pyramid built

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