ART IN EARLY

CIVILIZATION
LESSON 7
WHAT IS STONE
AGE?
- is a term used to describe a period of history when stones
were used to make tools for survival.
- though prehistoric humans would not necessarily possess the
complex rational capabilities to tell their story through written
records and accounts, some artifacts in the form of cave
paintings and sculptures would serve as the “storytellers”
3 Periods of Stone Age
1. Paleolithic (the late years of the Old Stone Age)
2. Mesolithic (Middle Stone Age)
3. Neolithic (New Stone Age)
PREHISTORIC ART
 Nomadic lifestyle of early human to permanent settlements
 Stone age witnessed how humans were able to lead more
stable lives and eventually come up with permanent shelters
and tools for survival
 Early humans also turned the creation of painting and
sculptures that depict human, animals and their natural
habitats
Paleolithic Art is a product if
climate change? Why?
 asthe climate get colder, part of early human instinct is to look for
shelters that would provide them warmth.
 caves became protective haven for the early humans and these caves
paved the way for the birth of their first attempts to create art
HALL OF BULLS FOUND IN A CAVE IN LASCAUX, FRANCE 15, 000
BCE
SPOTTED HORSES AND NEGATIVE HAND IMPRINTS IN PECH-MERLE, FRANCE 22,000 BCE
 Some of early humans already used their own-version of
spray-painting techniques
 They use ground pigments blown through reeds or
hollowed-out bones
 They also use foreshortening and contrasting of lights and
shadows to create three-dimensional forms and seemingly real
representation of animals
Artworks during Paleolithic Period are not just for decorative items but
served as:

 Religious Rituals
 Reflection of early beliefs of humans in life and fertility

One of the works that reflected such beliefs would be a sculpture called the
“VENUS OF WILLENDORF” associated with fertility.
“VENUS OF WILLENDORF”in Vienna, Austria 25,000-28,000 B.C.E and was
discovered on 1908

Shows a woman that has oversized breasts, enlarged hips, and round abdomen. The representation
may show the importance of taking care of these body parts for procreation and consequently the
survival of species.
NEOLITHIC ART
 Art that has developed especially when life for the early
humans has become more stable.
 They have learned to cultivate the land and domesticate
animals.
 They also have several monumental and architectural
structures erected.
STONEHENGE in Southern England 2500-1600 B.C.E
EGYPTIAN ART
EGYPTIAN CIVILIZATION
PERIODS:
1. OLD KINGDOM
2. MIDDLE KINGDOM
3. NEW KINGDOM
 “Art should be something religious
and spiritual.”
 different techniques used and style emphasized but there are
common denominators among the artworks created during there
respective time periods.
OLD KINGDOM
 It was evident that religion was bound to the afterlife.
 They created tombs for important people, particularly the
PHARAOHS.
 Not just for keeping the dead bodies but also to served as a shelter
for the next journey in the afterlife.
 They decorated the tombs with everyday objects that would reflect
day-today activities as if the afterlife is a mere continuation of what
transpired on earth.
Human figures seen in the tombs were represented in such a way that the profile of the head was
evident, while the pelvis, legs and upper torso were prominent and the eyes are in the frontal view.
 One of the cosmetics palettes found in Egypt was called the Narmer
Palette.
 It was a palette that utilized and applied dark colors around King
Narmer’s eyes.
 It was a symbol that commemorates the unification of Upper and
Lower Egypt.
 The unification was significant beacause it marked the beginning of
their civilization.
CONCEPT OF SOUL
 The ancient Egyptians believe the everyone has a soul.
 They thought the soul had two parts and called the soul by two names
– the BA and the KA.
 The BA returned during the day to live with the family.
 The KA flew off to live in the afterlife.
PYRAMIDs OF GIZA
One of the architectural wonders that was constructed during the Old Kingdom.
MIDDLE KINGDOM
 One of the key features of the Middle Kingdom is a shift in the political
hierarchy.
 Emergence of powerful group of landlords that threatened the authority and rule
of the Pharaoh. Because of the struggle between these two influential sides, art has
taken back seat during this period.
 Art got back during the rule of King Mentuhotep.
 Experimentation in terms of style that transpired during this period.
 Portrait sculpture and fresco paintings were freely drawn some of the styles that
emerged during this period.
 During this period, Egypt fell into the hands of
Hyksos. This Asiatic Tribe introduced Bronze
Age weapons and horses to the Egyptians.
 When these foreign invaders were overthrown,
the Egyptians formed the New Kingdom.
NEW KINGDOM
 Art of the New Kingdom had references from both of the preceding kingdoms.
 Monuments and sculptures were still linked with death and reverence for the
deceased.
 During previous kingdoms, tombs were just used for worshipping the dead, but
in the New Kingdom, they started having mortuary temples.
 Mortuary temples (or funerary temples) were temples that were erected adjacent
to, or in the vicinity of, royal tombs in Ancient Egypt. The templeswere designed
to commemorate the reign of the Pharaoh under whom they were constructed, as
well as for use by the king's cult after death.
After the NEW KINGDOM,
 Egypt witnessed the Amarna Revolution led by King Akhenaten and Queen
Nefertiti.
 During his reign, King Amentohep wanted to revolutionalize the arts and
religion.
 King Amenhotep change his name to Akhenaten, which came from Aten who is
the Sun God.
 During this period, the only God to be revered was Aten. Egypt became
monotheistic and he ordered to tear down all monuments of other Gods.
 Most sculptures during this period had curving lines and full bodied forms.
“Queen Nefertiti”
The bust of Queen Nefertiti has a
long and sensuous neck. The figure
was enhanced by applying paint to
the limestone.
“King Tutankhamen”
 Probably one of the greatest discoveries from the
Egyptian civilization was the tomb of
Tutankhamen.
 He became king at a very young age and died at
the age of 18.
 Howard Carter discovered his tomb in 1922.
 The coffin was made out of solid gold.
 His body was covered in linen and a gold mask
covered his face.
Virtual Autopsy of his body Discovery of his tomb.