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12 min read•june 18, 2024
Sylvia Rodriguez
Sylvia Rodriguez
The ancient Mediterranean world was a melting pot of cultures, each with their own unique art styles and traditions. From the Etruscans of Italy to the Greeks and Romans, the art of the ancient Mediterranean reflects the diverse societies that produced it. In this study guide, we will explore the cultural contexts of ancient Mediterranean art, including the art of the Etruscans, Romans, Greeks, Mesopotamians and others. Through an examination of key works, we will gain a deeper understanding of the beliefs, values, and influences that shaped the art of the ancient world and how it reflects the societies that created it. We will also explore the impact of these cultures on the art of other civilizations and the lasting legacy of ancient Mediterranean art on modern art and culture.
Ancient Mesopotamia, located in the Tigris-Euphrates river valley, was home to some of the world's earliest civilizations, including the Sumerians, Akkadians, Assyrians, and Babylonians. The art of Mesopotamia reflects the cultural, religious, and political beliefs of these societies, which flourished between 4000 BCE and 539 BCE. Mesopotamian art is known for its monumental architecture, such as the ziggurat and the palace, as well as its intricate reliefs, sculptures, and artifacts made of a variety of materials, including clay, stone, and metal. The art of Mesopotamia also includes a rich tradition of cylinder seals, which were used for a variety of purposes, including administrative, religious and commercial. Mesopotamian art is significant not only for its aesthetic value but also for the insight it provides into the social, economic, and political systems of ancient Mesopotamia.
White Temple and its ziggurat:
Anu District Phase E, reconstruction: Lamassu Design (Gurdjieff, CC BY-SA 3.0)
Statues of votive figures, from the Square Temple at Eshnunna:
Standing Male Worshipper (votive figure), c. 2900-2600 B.C.E., from the Square Temple at Eshnunna (modern Tell Asmar, Iraq), Sumerian, Early Dynastic I-II, gypsum alabaster, shell, black limestone, bitumen, 11 5/8 x 5 1/8 x 3 7/8 inches / 29.5 x 10 cm (The Metropolitan Museum of Art).
Seated scribe:
The Seated Scribe, c. 2620-2500 B.C.E., c. 4th Dynasty, Old Kingdom, painted limestone with rock crystal, magnesite, and copper/arsenic inlay for the eyes and wood for the nipples, found in Saqqara (Musée du Louvre, Paris).
Standard of Ur:
Peace (detail), The Standard of Ur, 2600–2400 B.C.E., shell, red limestone, lapis lazuli, and bitumen (original wood no longer exists), 21.59 x 49.53 x 12 cm (British Museum; photo: Steven Zucker, CC BY-NC-SA 2.0)
Lamassu from the citadel of Sargon II:
Lamassu (winged human-headed bulls possibly lamassu or shedu) from the citadel of Sargon II, Dur Sharrukin (now Khorsabad, Iraq), Neo-Assyrian, c. 720-705 B.C.E., gypseous alabaster, 4.20 x 4.36 x 0.97 m, excavated by P.-E. Botta 1843-44 (Musée du Louvre)
Ancient Egyptian art, which dates back to around 3100 BCE, is known for its highly stylized and symbolic nature. The art of ancient Egypt was closely tied to the religious beliefs and practices of the civilization, which lasted for over 3,000 years. The art of ancient Egypt was highly religious in nature and was used to depict the gods and goddesses of the Egyptian pantheon, as well as pharaohs and other important figures. Egyptian art was also used to decorate tombs and temples, and to depict scenes from everyday life. The art of ancient Egypt was heavily influenced by the belief in the afterlife, which led to the creation of intricate tombs, sarcophagi, and other funerary objects. Additionally, the art of ancient Egypt was characterized by its use of hieroglyphs, which were a form of writing that was used to depict words and ideas. Through the study of ancient Egyptian art, we can gain a deeper understanding of the beliefs and practices of this powerful civilization and its impact on the art and culture of the ancient world.
Great Pyramids:
The Great Pyramids at Giza, Egypt (photo: KennyOMG, CC BY-SA 4.0)
King Menkaura and Queen:
King Menkaure (Mycerinus) and queen, 2490–2472 B.C.E., greywacke, 142.2 x 57.1 x 55.2 cm (Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, photo: Steven Zucker, CC BY-NC-SA 2.0)
Temple of Amun-Re and Hypostyle Hall:
View of sphinxes, the first pylon, and the central east-west aisle of Temple of Amun-Re, Karnak in Luxor, Egypt (photo: Mark Fox, CC: BY-NC 2.0)
Model of the Precinct of Amun-Re, Karnak (photo: Rémih, CC: BY-SA 3.0)
Akhenaton, Nefertiti, and three daughters:
House Altar depicting Akhenaten, Nefertiti and Three of their Daughters, limestone, New Kingdom, Amarna period, 18th dynasty, c.1350 BCE (Ägyptisches Museum/Neues Museum, Staatliche Museen zu Berlin)
Last judgment of Hunefer:
Page from the Book of the Dead of Hunefer, c. 1275 B.C.E., 45.7 x 83.4 cm (frame), Thebes, Egypt © Trustees of the British Museum
Palette of King Narmer:
Palette of King Narmer, from Hierakonpolis, Egypt, Predynastic, c. 3000–2920 B.C.E., slate, 2' 1" high (Egyptian Museum, Cairo)
Ancient Greek art encompasses the art produced in the Greek-speaking world from the ninth century BCE to the fourth century CE. This period saw the rise and fall of the powerful city-states of Athens, Sparta, and Corinth, as well as the emergence of the Hellenistic period following the conquests of Alexander the Great. The art of ancient Greece is characterized by its focus on the human form, as well as its emphasis on balance, harmony, and proportion. Greek art also reflects the society's religious beliefs and myths, as well as its political and cultural values. From the iconic marble statues of the Parthenon to the colorful frescoes of the Minoan civilization, ancient Greek art continues to fascinate and inspire audiences to this day. This study guide will explore the cultural contexts of some of the most important works of ancient Greek art, including the Athenian agora, the Peplos Kore, the Niobides Krater, and the Grave Stele of Hegeso.
Niobides Krater:
Niobid Painter, "Niobid Krater," Attic red-figure calyx-krater, c. 460-50 B.C.E., 54 x 56 cm (Musée du Louvre)
Grave stele of Hegeso:
Grave stele of Hegeso, c. 410 B.C.E., marble and paint, from the Dipylon Cemetary, Athens, 5' 2" (National Archaeological Museum, Athens)
Great Altar of Zeus and Athena at Pergamon:
The Pergamon Altar, c. 200-150 B.C.E., 35.64 x 33.4 meters, Hellenistic Period (Pergamon Museum, Berlin)
Alexander Mosaic:
The Alexander Mosaic as seen on the wall of the Museo Archeologico Nazionale di Napoli, Alexander Mosaic, created in the 2nd century B.C.E., from the House of the Faun in Pompeii
Seated Boxer:
Apollonius, Boxer at Rest, c. 100 B.C.E., bronze, Hellenistic Period (Palazzo Massimo, Museo Nazionale Romano, Rome).
Athenian Agora:
Site plan of the Agora of Athens in the Classical period, creator: Tomisti, CC BY-SA 4.0
Peplos Kore:
Peplos Kore, c. 530 B.C.E., from the Acropolis, Athens, Greece (Acropolis Museum, Athens)
Ancient Etruscan art, the art and architecture produced by the Etruscan civilization in central Italy between the 8th and 3rd centuries BCE, is known for its distinctive style, influenced by the art of the ancient Greeks and the indigenous cultures of Italy. Etruscan art is characterized by its use of metalworking, especially in the production of elaborate sarcophagi and jewelry. The Etruscan civilization was also known for its monumental architecture, including the construction of large tombs and elaborate city walls. Etruscan art also includes a variety of sculptures, such as the bronze "Chimera of Arezzo" and the "Apulu" statue, as well as frescoes and ceramics. These works of art provide insight into the religious beliefs, social structure, and daily life of the Etruscan people. Etruscan art is also significant in the history of Western art as an important precursor of Roman art.
Sarcophagus of the Spouses:
Sarcophagus of the Spouses, c. 520 B.C.E., Etruscan, painted terracotta, 140 x 202 cm, found in the Banditaccia necropolis, Cerveteri (Museo Nazionale Etrusco di Villa Giulia, Rome; photo: Steven Zucker, CC BY-NC-SA 2.0)
Tomb of the Triclinium:
Tomb of the Triclinium, c. 470 B.C.E. (Etruscan chamber tomb, Tarquinia, Italy)
Ancient Roman art is a complex and diverse subject that reflects the various cultures and societies that existed within the Roman Empire. Spanning from the Republic to the Late Antiquity, Roman art encompasses a wide range of mediums and styles, from painting, sculpture, and mosaic, to architecture and decorative arts. Roman art was heavily influenced by the art of the Etruscans and the Greeks, as well as the art of the Eastern Mediterranean, Egypt, and the Near East. This art often served practical, religious, and political purposes, and was used to convey the values, beliefs, and ideals of Roman society. With its rich historical and cultural context, ancient Roman art remains a fascinating and endlessly fascinating subject for study.
Pantheon:
The Pantheon, Rome, c. 125 (photo: Steven Zucker, CC BY-NC-SA 2.0)
Ludovisi Battle Sarcophagus:
Battle of the Romans and Barbarians (Ludovisi Battle Sarcophagus), c. 250-260 C.E. (Museo Nazionale Romano-Palazzo Altemps, Rome)
In conclusion, the art and architecture of the ancient Mediterranean cultures of Etruscan, Roman, Greek, Egyptian, and Mesopotamian, were deeply interconnected and influenced one another. The Etruscans, for example, drew inspiration from the art and architecture of the Greeks, while the Romans drew heavily from the Etruscans and Greeks in their own art and architecture. The Egyptians, meanwhile, had a profound influence on the art and architecture of the ancient Mediterranean world through their use of monumental stone structures and hieroglyphs. The art and architecture of Mesopotamia also had a significant impact on the ancient Mediterranean world through the spread of their cuneiform writing system and their monumental architecture. Through the exchange of ideas and styles, the art and architecture of these cultures helped shape the ancient Mediterranean world, leaving a lasting legacy that continues to be studied and admired today.
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