Ancient Architecture and Art: Key Monuments
Key Monuments in Ancient Architecture and Art
Asian Art and Architecture
Pagoda: Derived from the Indian Stupa. Kondo: Golden Hall (meditation hall housing Buddha statues). Stupa: A major architectural development in Buddhist art.
(Japan) Main Shrine, Ise: Associated with Shinto. The building is rebuilt every 20 years using wood from the surrounding forest. Horyuji Temple: This complex is associated with Buddhism. The two central buildings are the Pagoda and Kondo.
(China) Terra Cotta Warriors, Tomb of Emperor Qin: The figures were found in Qin’s funeral complex. They served as replacements for human sacrifices, acting as military bodyguards. Ma Yuan, Watching the Deer by a Pine-Shaded Stream: The open space in the painting signifies the Daoist belief that without the void, one cannot appreciate fullness.
(India) Great Stupa of Sanchi, India (10 B.C. – 15 A.D.): Its religious function was a simple burial mound, worshipped by circumambulation. Standing Buddha (5th century, Red Sandstone, 5’3″): Conventional stylistic attributes include rounded forms, a monk’s garment, a topknot, a meditative pose, and lowered eyes.
Ancient Roman Architectural Innovations
Round Arch: Opened up possibilities, perfected by ancient Roman builders. Barrel Vault: A round arch extended in depth, creating a tunnel-like structure. Groin Vault: Formed by the intersection of two barrel vaults. Arcade: A series of arches supported by columns. Basilica: A large, long, roofed building, usually at the end of a forum. Dome: A hemispherical vault built up from a circular or polygonal base.
Prehistoric and Ancient Structures
Dolmen: “Table stone” or “hole stone”; a cave in the ground. Menhir: “Long stone.” Post and Lintel: Vertical posts that bear the weight of horizontal beams. Ziggurats: Huge structures that served as platforms for temples, where ruling priests had sanctuaries. Mastabas: Early dynastic royal burial places, similar in form to Ziggurats. Column: A cylindrical post. Colonnade: A row of columns connected by beams.
Byzantine, Early Christian, and Ancient Roman Art
(Byzantine) Exterior of San Vitale, Ravenna: The exterior is plain because the bricks were adopted from Roman buildings. Theodora, detail of Court of Theodora, apse mosaic, San Vitale, c. 547: The wife of co-regent Justinian, located on the left side of Christ.
(Early Christian) Christ as the Good Shepherd, Galla Placidia: The purple and gold robe indicates royal status. Objects are grouped in threes to represent the Trinity.
(Ancient Rome) Equestrian Statue of Marcus Aurelius, A.D. 164-166: Intended function unknown. Basilica: A large, roofed building usually at the end of a forum, divided into three aisles. This type of building was used for commercial transactions, as a municipal hall, and as a law court. The Colosseum, Rome (A.D. 72-80): The architectural elements utilized were Tuscan (bottom), Ionic (middle), and Corinthian (top). The types of events held were the festival of games. The Pantheon, Rome (A.D. 117-125): The shape and proportion of this building reflect Roman ideas of perfect symmetry and proportion. Interior of the Pantheon (c. 1740): An oculus is a 9-meter opening in the dome (eye). The function of this building was a religious temple for the gods. Plan of Old Saint Peter’s Basilica, Rome: This plan differs from earlier Roman basilicas in its layout.
Ancient Greek Art
(Ancient Greek) Euphronios Krater: Classified as Later Archaic and Early Classical Pottery. The subject of the imagery is the death of Zeus’s son and preparation for battle. Kouros (580 B.C., Marble): Influenced by Egyptian art. Polykleitos of Argos, Spear Bearer: *Contrapposto*—the artist creates a balance between muscular tension and relaxation. Venus de Medici: Features the most famous modest pose. Laocoön and His Two Sons: Qualities reflect the Hellenistic style of Greek art: melodramatic, extreme, and exaggerated. Ictinus and Callicrates, Parthenon, Athens, Greece (c. 400 B.C.): The building was dedicated to Athena. Its function was to house a statue of Athena.
Paleolithic and Neolithic Art
(Paleolithic) Woman of Willendorf (c. 25,000 B.C., Limestone): Likely purposes/functions of this type of object include fertility/mother goddess representation, an ideal of beauty, or an erotic figure. Wall Painting of Animals, Chauvet Cave: Possible reasons for its creation include abundance and fertility, success in the hunt, or recording past successes.
(Neolithic) Stonehenge, England (c. 3000-1500 B.C.): Functions of Stonehenge include a calendar and a lunar temple.