Republic of the Philippines

Department of Education Module 1

1
CANDA NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL
Western Classical Art Traditions
Subject Teacher: _________________________________________ Quarter

Outline 3. Cromlech – a Brythonic word where

o PAINTINGS/ SCULPTURES & ARCHITECTURES crom means “bent” or “curved” and llech
• Pre-historic Era which means “slab” or “flagstones”.
• Ancient Egypt - A circle of standing stones.
• Classical Greek
• Roman Era Stonehenge - best preserved megalithic site
• Byzantine in Europe, a group of stones arranged in
• Romanesque concentric circles, with a large external circle
• Gothic of triliths (Greek word meaning “three
stones”), two internal circles built in a similar
Even before humans learned to read and write they were manner and altar shaped stone in the center.
already artists as manifested by different archeological discoveries ANCIENT EGYPT
from the different parts of the world.
Each civilization of the world has its distinct art forms PAINTINGS
depending on its aesthetic and utilitarian needs. ▪ The purpose of Egyptian paintings is to make the deceased
PRE-HISTORIC ERA afterlife place pleasant.
▪ Themes include journey to the underworld introducing the
PAINTINGS deceased to the gods of the underworld by their protective
▪ It includes all human existence before the emergence of deities.
writing. ▪ It emphasizes the importance of life after death and the
▪ Their art is of interest not only to the art historians but also preservation of the knowledge of the past.
to archeologist and anthropologist, for whom the art is only ▪ Most painting were highly stylized, symbolic, and shows
one clue – along with fossils, pollens, and other finds to an profile view of an animal or a person.
understanding of early human life and culture. ▪ The main colors used were red, black, blue, gold, and green.
▪ Their paintings were found inside the caves which may have ▪ Paintings from Sarcophagus
been their way of communicating with each other and also of Tutankhamen XVIII dynasty –
for religious or ceremonial purposes. the paintings of the walls on the
tomb show events of the life of the
➢ Cave of Lascaux – was discovered on king while he was still on earth and
Sept. 12, 1940. The painting has nearly 2,000 the scenes he expects to encounter
figures composed mainly of animals, human in the underworld after his death.
figures, and abstract design. SCULPTURES
➢ The Great Hall of the Bulls, The Lateral ▪ Symbolic elements such as forms, hieroglyphics, relative
Passage, The Shaft of the Dead Man, The size, location, materials, color, actions, and gestures were
Chamber of Engravings, The Painted Gallery, widely used.
Chamber of Felines. ▪ Their tombs were required the most extensive use of
SCULPTURES sculpture.
▪ Materials used in sculptures vary according to region and ▪ Wood, ivory and stones are most common materials used.
locality.
▪ Archeologist believe that their sculpture is a result of natural Characteristics of Sculptures:
erosion and not of human artistry. 1. Symbolisms were heavily used to represent the gods.
▪ Frequently carving may have mythological or religious 2. Relief compositions were arranged in horizontal lines to
significance. record an event or represent an action.
3. Most of the time the gods were shown larger than humans,
➢ Venus of Willendorf – it is carved from limestone with the kings larger than their followers, the dead larger than the
excessively heavy breast and abdomen used as charm to living.
ensure fertility. 4. Empty spaces were filled with figures or hieroglyphics.
➢ Venus of Brassempouy – a 5. All individual components were all brought to the plane of
sculpture of a lady with the hood. It is a representation and laid out like writing.
fragmentary ivory figurine from the ➢ Queen Nefertiti – realistic, with heavy lidded
Upper Paleolithic era that realistically eyes, slender neck, determined chin and pure
represents the human face and profile under her heavy crown.
hairstyle. ➢ The Pharaoh Menkaure and his Queen – an
ARCHITECTURES example of portraits presented in rigid postures
▪ Man has developed a form of architecture based on and were simple and powerful with extraordinarily
megaliths (a big rock) from the Greek word lithos (“stone”) little show of private emotion.
and megas (“big”). ARCHITECTURES
▪ Megalithic monuments have always ignited man’s ▪ This architectural style was developed during the pre-
imagination. They provided plenty of legends and dynastic period 4,000 BC.
superstitions.
▪ Stones and Rocks were associated with divinity. Characteristics of Egyptian Architecture:
Three Main Types of Megalith Stones: 1. The structure has thick sloping walls with few openings to
1. Menhir – a huge stone standing vertically on the obtain stability.
ground, usually standing in the middle of the field 2. The exterior and interior walls along the columns and piers
or arranged in rows. were covered with hieroglyphics and pictorial frescoes and
2. Dolmens – originated from the carvings painted in brilliant colors.
expression taol maen, which means “stone table”. 3. Ornamentations were symbolic including scarab (sacred
The structures are in a form of table consisting of beetle), solar disk, vulture, and common motifs (palm leaves,
two huge standing stones supporting a horizontal buds, flower or lotus and papyrus plants)
giant stone. It is believed that it served as grave or 4. Temples were aligned with astronomically significant events
as an altar. like soltices (comes from the Latin word Sol, meaning “sun”
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 ARTS Western Classical Art Traditions MODULE 1, LECTURE 1

and stitium meaning “stoppage” as the sun appears to ROMAN ERA

stand still of the first day of winter) and equinox (a time or
date when day and night are equal of length). PAINTINGS
PYRAMIDS OF GIZA – the most substantial ancient structures of the ▪ MOSAIC - it is an art process where an image is created
world. These pyramids were made highly confusing and with many using an assemblage of small pieces of colored glass,
tunnels to create confusion for grave robbers. stones, or other materials. The technique is used for
decorative art or interior decorations.
❖ Khufu (Cheops) -whom the great pyramid
was attributed to
❖ Khafa (Chepren) – whom the pyramid next
to the Great Pyramid is attributed;
❖ Menkaura (Mycerinus) – the smallest
pyramid attributed
Egyptian temples – were built to serve as places of residence for the
gods and also served as key centers for economic activity. ▪ Head of Alexander ▪ Fresco from the ▪ Boscotrecase,
Matsaba – a type of Egyptian Villa of Mysteries Pompeii
tomb in the form of flat-roofed, SCULPTURES
rectangular structure with outward THE PORTONACIO SARCOPHAGUS
sloping sides. It was made of • used for the burial of Roman
mudbricks or stones. General involved in the campaigns of ➢
Marcus Aurelius’
CLASSICAL GREEK
• The best known and most
elaborate of all sarcophagus (It is a
PAINTINGS
box-like funeral receptacle for a dead body. Comes from the
▪ Paintings during the classical era were most found in the
Greek word sarx meaning “flesh” and pahgein meaning “to
vases, panels, and tomb. They depict natural figures with
eat”.
dynamic compositions.
• It depicts battle scenes between Romans and Germans
▪ Most of the subjects were battle scenes, mythological
• Carved in marble
figures, and everyday scenes. They reveal a grasp of linear
SARCOPHAGUS, FROM CERVETIRI
perspective and naturalist presentation.
• Made in Terra Cotta
MOST COMMON METHODS OF GREEK PAINTING: • length 67” (2.06 m)
1. Fresco - method of painting water-based pigments on a • a husband and wife are shown
freshly applied plaster usually on a wall surface. Colors are reclining comfortably, as if they were on
made of ground powder pigments mixed in pure water, dried, a couch.
and set with plaster to become a permanent part of the wall. ARCHITECTURES
ideal for murals, durable and has a matte style. They built sturdy stone structures both for use and to
2. Encaustic - developed by Greek ship builders, who used hot perpetuate their glory. The emperors erected huge halls and arenas
wax to fill the cracks of the ship. Pigments (colors) were for public games, baths, and
added and used to paint a wax hull. procession. They built them of gigantic
arches of stone, bricks, and concrete,
or with barrel vaults.
➢ THE COLLOSEUM

BYZANTINE PERIOD
JUDGEMENT OF PANEL PAINTING VASE TOMB/ WALL
PAINTINGS
PARIS • Pitsa Panel PAINTING PAINTING
• Tomb of the ▪ Most of the themes of their painting were Christian subjects
Diver and had been invented in Greek and Rome who lived in
SCULPTURES Byzantium.
GREEK SCULPTURES ➢ The Court
• MYRON; THE DISCOBULUS of Empress
- Shows attitude of maximum tension, full Theodora
of compressed energy, and about to
explode an action. Theodora

ARCHITECTURES
GREEK ARCHITECTURE
SCULPTURES
Temples consisted of a central shrine or room in an aisle
surrounded by rows or columns. These buildings were designed in THE BARBERINI DIPTYCH
one of three architectural styles of orders.
- an early example of Byzantine ivory
work

ARCHITECTURES
THE PARTHENON - The Greatest ▪ HAGIA SOPHIA - means “Holy
Wisdom.” It narrates how a magnificent
Classical temple, ingeniously engineered to
correct an optical illusion. The columns were construction transformed from a church into
slightly contorted, swollen at the center and a mosque and what is now known as the
Hagia Sophia museum. One of the biggest
leaning inward to correct what would
otherwise have been an impression of domes ever created with 108 feet in
deadness and top heaviness. diameter.

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ARTS Western Classical Art Traditions MODULE 1, LECTURE 1

ROMANESQUE PERIOD
▪

PAINTINGS
▪ They have largely placed mosaics on the
walls of the churches that follow a strict frontal
pose.
▪ It has a remarkable variety of artistic
traditions such as modeling and treatment
faces and draperies that follow Byzantine
convention.
▪ It shows Mozarabic (Arabize) influence
through elongated oval faces, large staring
eyes, and long noses, figures against flat
colored bands and heavy outlining.
SCULPTURES
LAST JUDGEMENT

- Tymapnum (an architectural element

within the arch or pediment) of the west
portal, Cathedral of Saint -Lazare, Autun
Burgundy France

ARCHITECTURES
The doorways of the Romanesque's churches
are often grand sculptured portals. Wood or metal doors
are surrounded by elaborate stone sculptures arranged
in zones to fit architectural elements.
➢ The Groin - Vaulted Crypt of Worcester Cathedral
GOTHIC PERIOD

PAINTINGS

• The Lady and the • Rose Window from • The Shepherd David
Unicorn Tapestry North Transept
SCULPTURES
• Gothic sculptures have a great
freedom of style.
• Figures were given their own
attitudes instead of being set into
patterns and livelier and more
realistic.

➢ Resurrection of the Virgin

ARCHITECTURES
This design included two new devices: pointed arch which
enabled builders to construct much
higher ceiling vaults and stone vaulting
borne on a network of stone ribs
supported by piers and clustered pillars.
CATHEDRAL CHARTES
- has rich architecture and design
- Splendid stained-glass windows
- Thousands of sculptured figures

Reference:
Learner’s Material For Music
Grade 9

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ARTS Western Classical Art Traditions MODULE 1, LECTURE 1

ACTIVITY 1. From the choices below, write letter of the following art traditions from the Eras where they should belong.
Afterwards, on the blank provided after each choices, identify the style of their art. Write PAINITING, SCULPTURE or
ARCHITECTURE.

Timeline:

Pre historic Egyptian Greek Roman Byzantine Romanesque Gothic

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

Choices:
a. Cave of Lascaux __________________________
b. Venus of Willendorf __________________________
c. Judgement of Paris __________________________
d. Rose Window __________________________
e. Mastaba __________________________
f. Hagia Sophia __________________________
g. Dolmens __________________________
h. Queen Nefertiti __________________________
i. Fresco from the Villas of Mysteries __________________________
j. Paintings from Sarchophagus __________________________
k. The court of Empress __________________________
l. The shaft of the dead man __________________________
m. Tomb of the River __________________________
n. Lady and the Unicorn Tapestry __________________________
o. Myron, the Discobulus __________________________
p. Pyramids of Giza __________________________
q. Cathedral of Chartes __________________________
r. Last Judment __________________________
s. Sarcopagus, from cevertiti __________________________
t. Christ in Majesty __________________________
u. Head of Alexander __________________________
v. Pitsa Panel __________________________
w. Menhir __________________________
x. The Parthenon __________________________
y. Venus of Brassempouy __________________________
z. The Colloseum __________________________
aa. The Pharoah Menkaure __________________________
bb. Stonehenge __________________________
cc. The Shepherd David __________________________
dd. The Barberini Diptych __________________________
ee. Egyptian Temples __________________________
ff. The groin vaulted crypt __________________________
gg. The Lateral Passage __________________________
hh. Hagia Sophia __________________________
ii. Boscotrecase, Pompeii __________________________

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Activity 2: From the choices below, write the letters corresponding to the pictures of the Eras where they
should belong.
Timeline Photo:

Prehistoric Egyptian Greek Roman Byzantine Romanesque Gothic

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.
8.

Choices:

a. Cave of b. Calyx-Crater c. Enthroned

Lascaux (mixing bowl) Madonna and d. Hieroglyphics
Child

e. Venus of f. Rose Window g. The Morgan h. Aphrodite

Willendorf Leaf (fresco)

Activity 3: Matching Questions: Match the following in column A with their corresponding description in column B. Write the letter of the
correct answer before each number.

____1. Venus of Brassempouy a. An example of portraits presented in rigid

____2. Queen Nefertiti postures, and were simple and powerful with
____3. Hellenistic Style very little show of private emotion.
____4. Myron the Discobolus b. One of the most popular styles of the Greek
____5. The Pharaoh Menkaure sculptures.
c. Shows an attitude of maximum tension, full
of compressed energy, and about to explode
an action.
d. A sculpture of a lady with the hood. IT is a
fragmentary ivory figurine from the Upper
Paleolithic era that realistically represents
the human face and hairstyle
e. An example of portraits presented in rigid
postures and were simple and powerful with
truly little show of private emotion.

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