12/18/10 Art History I

Today's Class- Today was our last class meeting of the semester. I returned the first part of the take home final exam (cumulative western art), along with the graded current arts events journals and any extra credit assignments. Then the class took the second part of the final (non-western cultures). Once the test was turned in, students could leave.

Final class grades will be calculated in the next few days.

Enjoy the break

12/11/10 Art History I

Today's Class- Today we finished our study of non western art, with a review of the art and architecture of the Americas and Ancient Africa. The class filled out the course evaluation forms, turned in the first part of the take home final, their current events journals, and any extra credit assignments. I also went through a brief history of printmaking that included Japanese, Northern Renaissance, and 20th and 21st century woodcut prints.

Important Concepts-

*Despite having no connection with the civilized peoples of the Old World, the ancient residents of the Americas managed to independently develop forms of agriculture, written language, complex mathematics, calendars, astronomy, monumental architecture, metallurgy, ceramics, and weaving, while creating an aesthetic that was unlike anything found on the other side of the world.

*Although there aren't many surviving artifacts, there is evidence that ancient civilizations from sub-Saharan Africa did create sophisticated artworks in a variety of media.

Homework- If you turned in everything you were supposed to today, you have no homework. If you didn't, the take home and journal can be brought next week for reduced/partial credit.

For next class 12/18/10- Our final class meeting. I'll be returning and briefly reviewing all the materials turned in today, and then the class will take the second part of the open book final, dealing with non-western art. Bring your notebook and all 3 of your textbooks, as questions may require you to reference the chapters that we covered earlier in the semester.

12/4/10 Art History I

Today's Class- Today I returned the midterm exam from last week and reviewed the answers. I distributed the first part of the take home final exam, and went over some other bits of class related business. Then we continued our study of Asian Art, looking at the art of Ancient China, Korea, and Japan.

Important Concepts-

*The evolution of images of Buddha through the history of India, China, Korea, and Japan

*The philosophical and religious ideals behind Chinese landscape painting of the Song Dynasty.

*The many influences of China and Korea on Japanese culture.

*Japanese art maintains unique characteristics despite those influences

Homework- The take home cumulative portion of the final exam is due at the beginning of class next week, December 11, 2010.

The current art events journals are due next week, December 11, 2010. There should be a total of 12 articles.

All extra credit assignments must be turned in by December 11, 2010 in order to earn extra credit points.

For next class 12/11/10- We will finish our study of non-western cultures of the ancient world, with a look at North and South America, and Africa. Bring your notebook and Book 3 (A View of the World), along with all the assignments that are due that day.

11/27/10 Art History I

Today's Class- Today the class took the 2nd midterm exam, this one covering Early Christian through the Gothic, or everything in Book 2. After that, we started our study of non-western cultures (Book 3) with a look at the art of India.

Important Concepts-

*The similarities of ancient Indus Valley civilizations and those in Egypt, Mesopotamia, and the Aegean.

*The general characteristics of South Asian figure art.

*The introduction and evolution of Buddhism and Hinduism in India.

*The similarities and differences between Buddhist and Hindu art in Asia

Homework- The next current arts event article is due for next week's class.

For next class 12/4/10- Today's exam will be returned and reviewed, and then we will continue our look at Asian art, with Ancient China, Korea, and Japan. Bring Book 2 (A View of the World) and a notebook.

11/20/10 Art History I

Today's Class- Today we covered the art and architecture of the Gothic period in western art, which had its biggest influence in northern and western Europe. Gothic architecture introduced a number of stylistic and structural innovations, the most important of which are pointed arches and extensive use of stained glass. The visual orginization used in stained glass also turned up in manuscript illuminations of the time. Figural sculpture continues the trend toward naturalism begun in the Romanesque, in some cases achieving a level of realism not seen since the early Roman Empire. Meanwhile, cities gain wealth, kings in France and England gain power, and artists begin to gain status as professionals.

We devoted the last part of class to reviewing for the next midterm exam, which will cover Early Christian through Gothic art (Book 2).

Important terms- buttress, facade, hall church, jamb, lancet, oculus, parchment, pier, pilaster, plate tracery, polychromy, quatrefoil, sanctuary, scribe, stained glass, transept

These terms and artworks are on the review sheet, but not previously posted on the blog, and may appear on the upcoming exam- colophon, embroidery, pendentive, Chi Rho page (Book of Kells), St Matthew (Coronation and Ebbo Gospels)

These terms are not in the book's glossary, but are described in the chapters about Romanesque and Gothic architecture and will be necessary for labeling the parts of a typical cathedral- choir, crossing, radiating chapel (Note that the textbook often uses the terms radiating chapel and apsidal chapel almost interchangeably, but in cathedral diagrams only uses the term apsidal chapels for the small niche chapels that extend outward off the apse. For the purposes of the exam, apsidal chapels are radiating chapels.)

Important artworks- Abbey Church of Saint-Denis, Cathedral of Notre-Dame (Paris), Chartres Cathedral, Rose of France window (Chartres Cathedral), Jamb Sculptures (Chartres (not Amiens as listed on the distributed review sheet, a remnant from the previous edition of the textbook) and Reims)

Homework- The next current arts event article is due for next week. It is recommended that you read chapters 9 (India) and 10 (China and Korea) in Book 3 to familiarize yourself with the material.

For next class 11/27/10- We will start class by taking the 2nd midterm exam, then move on to the study of non-Western art, with India and depending on how things go, maybe China. Bring a notebook and Book 3.

11/13/10 Art History I

Today's Class- Today we finished our look at Early Medieval art, specifically manuscripts, then moved on to the Romanesque period, which takes place in Western Europe in the 11th and early 12th centuries. In the architecture particularly, there is strong influence of Ancient Roman styles, more than Byzantine or Islamic. Close relationships between the church and nobility (lords, dukes, etc) prove to be mutually beneficial. Pilgrimages and Crusades cause people to travel great distances, exposing them to a wider variety of art and material goods, encouraging trade and the spread of innovations. Engineers of the era push the limits of stone construction to create bigger and bigger cathedrals. Sculpture and painting still retain a lot of Byzantine and occasionally Islamic influence, but start to make a turn toward naturalism. During the last part of class I gave an overview of the subsequent Gothic period, but that summary will be posted next week, along with the important terms and artworks.

Important terms- arcade, capital (historiated), chevron, cloister, colonnade, lantern (dome), portal, relic, reliquary, rib vault, spolia, tapestry, trumeau

Important artworks- Cathedral of St James (Santiago), Reliquary of Sainte Foy, Abbey of Notre Dame (Fontenay), Cathedral Complex of Pisa, South Portal (Priory Church of Saint-Pierre at Moissac), Last Judgment Tympanum (Sainte-Lazare), Christ in Majesty, Bayeux Embroidery

Homework- The next current arts event article is due next week. It is recommended that everyone read chapter 16 (Gothic) to familiarize yourself with the material.

For next class 11/20/10- We will look at the art and architecture of the Gothic period, and review for the 2nd midterm exam that covers Book 2.

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.

10/30/10 Art History I

Today's Class- The first midterm exam was returned and I reviewed the answers with the class. We then picked up where we left off with Byzantine art and architecture, covering almost 1000 years of history and territory ranging from Italy to Egypt to Russia, and everything in between. We ended the class with a brief overview of the history of Islam and how it related to art produced in those cultures.

Important terms- aniconic, bay, codex, course, diptych, icon, iconoclasm, iconostasis, illumination, manuscript, vellum, scriptorium, squinch, triptych

Important artworks- Church of the Hagia Sophia, Emperor Justinian/Empress Theodora and attendants mosaics, Sant'Apollinare mosaic (Transfiguration), Rebecca at the Well, Virgin of Vladimir, Cathedral of St Mark, Harbaville Triptych, David the Psalmist, Anastasis, The Old Testament Trinity (Three Angels)

Homework- As always, have a new current arts related article and your summary and response ready for next week. Those who have not yet turned in their research paper should do so as soon as possible to avoid losing additional points. Those who have not yet had their journals reviewed should bring it to me as soon as possible. It is recommended that you read Chapter 8 to familiarize yourself with Islamic art.

For next class 11/6/10- We will continue our study of Islamic Art. Bring a notebook and Book 2 (Medieval Art). I will return the research assignments graded.

10/23/10 Art History I

Today's Class- Today the class took the first midterm exam of the semester, covering the whole first book (Ancient Art). After that I distributed an extra credit assignment to the class. Then we picked up where the last book left off, with a look at Early Christian, Jewish, and Byzantine Art.

Important Terms- aisle, ambulatory, apse, barrel vault, basilica, catacomb, cathedral, central plan building, clerestory, lunette, menorah, naos, narthex, nave, orant, spandrel, syncretism, tempera

Important Artworks- Menorahs and Ark of the Covenant, Wall with Torah Niche, Old St Peter's Basilica, Church of Santa Costanza, Mausoleum of Galla Placidia

Homework- The research assignments are due at the beginning of class next week, October 30, 2010. Those who did not have their journals to turn in today should bring them next week, and everyone should have a new current art article and write up.

For next class 10/30/10- Bring a notebook and Book 2 (Medieval Art), along with your research assignment. I'll return and review the test, and we'll continue our look at Byzantine Art and maybe start looking at Islamic Art.

10/16/10 Art History I

Today's Class- Today we finished our look at the Romans, with sculpture from the High Imperial period through the end of the empire, as well as a brief discussion of Roman two dimensional art. With that, we finished Book 1 (Ancient Art), so we spent the second half of class reviewing for next week's midterm exam.

Important Terms- (nothing new came up today, so here are some that are on the review sheet that did not get posted here yet this semester) abstract/abstraction, acropolis, alloy, cuneiform, drillwork, engaged column, fresco, mausoleum, memory image, sanctuary, tetrarchy, triglyph

Important Artworks- Column of Trajan, Equestrian Statue of Marcus Aurelius, Carcalla, Tetrarchs, Constantine the Great (head)

Homework- Bring in your current events arts journals, including a new article for next week, to be reviewed. Your research assignments are due on October 30, 2010.

For next class 10/23/10- We will have the 1st midterm exam at the beginning of class, so be on time. After that we will begin our study of Jewish, Early Christian, and Byzantine art, so bring Book 2 and a notebook.

10/9/10 Art History I

Today's Class- Today we finished up with the Ancient Greeks, looking at the Hellenistic period in sculpture and an example of painting. Then we moved over the Italian peninsula, where we saw examples of art from the Etruscans, and their successors the Romans. With Rome we covered all the architecture, and sculpture from the Republic and Early Empire periods.

Important Terms- apse, arcade, arch (round), atrium, barrel vault, basilica, coffer, colonnade, dome, keystone, mosaic, oculus, orders of classical columns (composite, Tuscan) pilaster, rotunda, terra cotta, tesserae, voussoir

Important Artworks- Dying Gallic Trumpeter, Nike of Samothrace, Apollo, Aulus Metellus, Pont Du Gard, Augustus Primaporta, Flavian Amphitheater, Middle Aged Flavian Woman, Pantheon, Arch of Constantine, Basilica of Maxentius and Constantine

Homework- As always, a new current events art article is due for next class. Remember, you need to summarize the article and describe your reaction to it.

For next class 10/16/10- We will finish our look at the art of Ancient Rome (more sculpture, painting), and do some review for the first midterm exam.

10/2/10 Art History I

Today's Class- Today we looked at the overlapping bronze age cultures of the Aegean. The Cycladic, Minoan, and Mycenaean cultures were all seafaring peoples, who used their proximity to other regional groups to trade raw materials and finished goods, which showed a high degree of skill. Other than their abilities to sail the open seas, they weren't particularly more advanced than concurrent civilizations in Egypt, Anatolia, and the Middle East, but like those other peoples, they had unique styles of art. Then we started looking at the Ancient Greeks, who brought a level of sophistication to architecture and sculpture never before seen in the western world.

Important Terms- agora, amphora, architrave, capital (column), caryatid, cella, contrapposto, entablature, faience, fluted, frieze, kore, kouros, krater, kylix, megaron, metope, niello, orders of classical columns (Doric, Ionic, Corinthian), pediment, pendentive, peplos, peristyle, repousse, rhyton, shaft, shaft grave, slip, stoa, tholos

Important Artworks- Figure of a Woman (Cycladic), Palace Complex at Knossos, Woman or Goddess with Snakes, Harvester Vase, Lion Gate (Mycenae), Temple of Hera, Metropolitan Kouros, Anavysos Kouros, Berlin Kore, Peplos Kore, Doryphorus (spear bearer), Kritios Boy, Riace Warrior A, Parthenon, Erechtheion, Theater at Epidauros, Man Scraping Himself

Homework- Everyone should have a new current events art article for next week. The research paper is due on October 30, 2010.

For next class 10/9/10- Bring book 1 (Ancient Art) and a notebook. We will continue our look at the Ancient Greeks, then begin looking at the ancient civilizations of the Italian peninsula- the Etruscans and the Romans. Those wishing to familiarize yourself with the material should read Chapter 6 in your textbook.

9/25/10 Art History I

Today's Class- Today we covered two chapters in the book, two early civilizations of the ancient world. The Near/Middle East developed the first cities in the western world, supported by widespread agriculture and trade. At the same time, Egypt developed its own complex civilization, a series of dynasties spanning about 3000 years. In both regions there are examples of massive building projects.

Important terms- canon of proportion, ceramics, encaustic, hieratic scale, hypostyle hall, lost wax casting, mastaba, pylon, register, relief sculpture, seals, stele, votive figure

Important artworks- Catalhoyuk, Votive Figures (Mesopotamia), Uruk Vase, Nanna Ziggurat, Votive Statue of Gudea, Ceremonial Complex at Persepolis, Palette of Narmer, Funerary Complex of Djoser, Great Pyramids, Menkaure and a Queen, Seated Scribe, Temple of Amun at Karnak, Temple of Rameses II, Mummy Wrapping of a Young Boy

Homework- Everyone should have a new current arts article with summary/reaction statement for next week's class.

For next class 10/2/10- We will cover the art of the ancient Aegean civilizations, and start our study of Ancient Greece. Bring a notebook and Book 1- Ancient Art. I suggest you read chapters 4 and 5 in your textbook to familiarize yourself with the material.

9/18/10 Art History I

Today's Class- Today the art history research assignment was distributed and reviewed. We then discussed a few of the articles that students brought in, and we covered the first chapter in the textbook, prehistoric art in Europe.

Important Artworks- Hall of Bulls, Woman from Willendorf, Lepenski Vir House/Shrine, Stonehenge

Important Terms- adobe, capstone, composite pose, corbeled vault, dolmen, kiln, megalith, modeling, mortise-and-tenon, post-and-lintel, wattle and daub

Homework- The research assignment given today is due at the beginning of class on October 30, 2010. Those who do not yet have an assigned topic can contact me by e-mail or deal with it in class next week.

All students should have a new current events arts article and summary/reaction for next week.

For next class 9/25/10- Next week we will look at the ancient art of the Near and Middle East, and start to look at Ancient Egypt. Bring a notebook and book 1- Ancient Art. I recommend reading chapters 2 and 3 of your textbook to prepare.

9/11/10 Art History I

Today's Class- Today the syllabus was distributed and reviewed. Students filled out a survey about their art and art history experiences, which was discussed with the group. After that we had a discussion of some art related issues, based on slide viewing of works from the history of art.

Homework- The first current art events article for your journals is due next Saturday, 9/18/10. I recommend that students read Chapter 1 in their textbooks to prepare for next week.

For next class 9/18/10- Bring Book 1 (Ancient Art), and a notebook, and we will take a look at the art of Prehistoric Europe.

5/14/10 Art History I

Today's Class- Today was the last class meeting of the semester. I collected the second part of the take home final, returned the first half, and discussed both. I also returned the graded second half journals. (those not picked up were left on the cart at the back of the room) Extra credit assignments were also returned today.

I'll be grading the second part of the final and calculating final class grades in the next few days, and the final grades will be posted by Wednesday, May 19th. After that, if anyone really wants to know the specific grade they got on the final, they may e-mail me.

Enjoy the summer.

5/11/10 Art History I

Today's Class- Today the class filled out the course evaluation form. After that I collected Part 1 of the take home final and a few late journals. Today's lecture was a brief overview of the art and architecture of the Ancient Americas and sub-Saharan Africa. At the end of class I distributed the graded Independent Research Assignments and copies of Part 2 of the take home final.

Important Concepts:

*Without connection to the peoples of the Old World, the ancient peoples of North, Central, and South America independently developed monumental architecture, mathematics, agriculture, and metallurgy, along with unique styles of art.

*Despite few remaining artifacts, there is history and some evidence to show the existence of a number of artistically advanced civilizations in ancient sub-Saharan Africa.

Homework- Part 2 of the take home final is due at the beginning of class on Friday, May 14, 2010. The test is posted on the Ocean Cruiser page for this class, just under the link leading to this blog.

Those who have not yet turned in work owed for this class should bring it Friday to receive partial credit on it.

For next class 5/14/10- The last day of class. I'll be returning the journals, and the 1st part of the take home exam and reviewing it. I'll be collecting part 2 of the take home final. Be on time. Class will be short and I will not be accepting any work in any format once I leave the classroom.

5/7/10 Art History I

Today's Class- Today I collected the current art events journals for the 2nd half of the semester, as well as extra credit assignments from those who turned them in. (no extra credit assignments will be accepted from this point on) I also distributed hard copies of the first part of the take home final to students who requested one. After that was the lecture, covering the art related history of Japan before 1392. As a bonus, I showed some slides of Japanese woodcuts (18th and 19th century), which served as an introduction to the medium of printmaking, including a few current printmakers I know.

Important concepts:

*The many influences of China and Korea on Japanese culture.

*Japanese art maintains unique characteristics despite those influences.

Homework- The 1st part of the take-home exam/written assessment, distributed this past week, is due at the beginning of class on Tuesday, May 11, 2010. To get credit for this part of the exam, it must be turned in on time.

For next class 5/11/10- We will cover the last two chapters from Book 3 (Art of Americas before 1300/Art of Ancient Africa). Bring a notebook and the text. I will also distribute the 2nd part of the take home final exam (non-Western Art) and return all the written assignments currently in my possession.

5/4/10 Art History I

Today's Class- Today I explained the plans for the rest of the semester concerning the take home Final Exams and other components of the final class grade (extra credit, journal articles). In art, we continued our study of the art of Ancient India, then continued on to cover Ancient China.

Important Concepts:

*The evolution of images of Buddha through the history of India, Southeast Asia, and China.

*The similarities and differences between Buddhist and Hindu art in India.

*The philosophical and religious ideals behind Chinese landscape painting of the Song Dynasty.

Homework- The current art events journals, with both articles and your write-ups, are due on Friday, May 7, 2010. I am collecting those that weren't graded as part of the first collection on March 9th. The articles for this second collection should correspond to these dates:

March 16

March 23

April 6

April 13

April 20

April 27

May 4

Extra Credit Update- To get credit for any extra credit assignments, you must turn in the written portion by Friday, May 7, 2010.

********Final Exam*********

The Final Exam will be in the form of a two part take home open book exam. The first part is the cumulative portion, a choice of essays that address concepts over the history of Western Art. This has been posted on the class OceanCruiser page. (log into OceanCruiser, click on this Art History class in your list of classes, and it will be there right on the main Class Update page, right under the link to this blog) I will distribute a hard copy of these instructions on Friday, but the full details of the assignment are there should people want to start sooner. It is due on Tuesday, May 11, 2010.

The second part of the Final Exam will be short answer essays covering Non-Western Art (Book 3). That will be distributed next Tuesday and due on Friday, May 14, 2010.

For next class 5/7/10- Journals and any extra credit are due. Bring a notebook and Book 3 (A View of the World) as we look at the art of Ancient Japan.

4/30/10 Art History I

Today's Class- Today I returned the graded midterm exams, and we reviewed them thoroughly. In the second half of class we started our study of non-western art, beginning with the art of ancient India.

Important concepts-

*The similarities of ancient Indus Valley civilization and those in Egypt, Mesopotamia, and the Aegean.

*The general characteristics of ancient South Asian figure art.

*The introduction of Buddhism to Asia.

Homework- the next article for your current events arts journal is due Tuesday, May 4th.

Extra Credit Update-

A reminder that the last day to turn in an extra credit assignment is Friday, May 7, 2010. None will be accepted after that. The options include a museum or gallery visit and the specific assignment that goes with that, or attending the May 3rd critique night in Ocean Grove and completing the related assignment. For those wanting to go to the critique, it's at the Jersey Shore Arts Center, on the corner of Main Avenue and S. Main Street (route 71) in Ocean Grove, NJ, 07753. (It's a large brick building that was once a high school) The group meets from 7 to 9 pm.

For next class 5/4/10- Bring a notebook and Book 3 (A View of the World), as we will continue our look at the art and architecture of Asia.