11/6/10 Art History I

Today's Class- Today we continued our look at Islamic Art, seeing examples of the unique architectural styles and decorative arts. Like the Byzantine styles in nearby lands, Islamic art makes use of elaborate, complex, and dazzling surfaces, but largely substitutes geometry for human figures. Then we moved on to art happening simultaneously in Early Medieval Europe. We traced the movement and influences of several barbarian groups that moved into the former Roman Empire, continuing some of its traditions while adding aspects of their own cultures.

Important terms- arch (horseshoe), boss, iwan, joggled voussoirs, madrasa, maqsura, mihrab, millefiori, minbar, mosque, repousse, rune stone, westwork

Important artworks- Dome of the Rock, Great Mosque of Kairouan (Tunisia), Great Mosque of Cordoba (Spain), Alhambra (Spain), Arabic Manuscript Pages (pp 279-80), The Caliph Harun Al-Rashid Visits the Turkish Bath, Sutton Hoo Hinged Clasp, Palace Chapel of Charlemagne, Stave Church (Norway), Doors of Bishop Bernward

Homework- A new current art events article is due next week in class. Students are advised to read Chapter 15 (Romanesque) to familiarize yourself with the material.

For next class 11/13/10- We will finish our look at Early Medieval Art and start looking at Romanesque art and architecture. Bring Book 2 (Medieval Art) and a notebook.