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Prehistoric Art Ancient
Near East Egyptian Greek Roman
Medieval Era Renaissance Baroque Neoclassicism Modern
The
sculpture of Prehistoric civilization reveals a fascination with fertility
goddess and the hunt. Both aspects were vital to their survival. It is
believed that hitting rocks with harder rocks created the first stone
sculptures. These earliest sculptures, such as the 4-3/8" high Venus
of Willendorf, produced images of idols that represented the unknown
forces in their lives. Sculptures of animals also were popular depictions
probably to exhibit a certain amount of control over these integral aspects
of their existence. These objects were found throughout Western Europe.
Stone Henge in England characterizes stone architecture of this time period. These were constructed of dressed stones in the basic post and lintel method.
As civilizations flourished, especially in the Fertile Crescent of Mesopotamia, stone sculpture also matured along with the tools. Figures depicting humans now occupied temples to the powerful gods who controlled the rain, crops, and the hunt. Temples called ziggurats are being built to honor these gods.
In
ancient Egypt the culmination of art and sculpture appears in their temples,
pyramids, and numerous sculptures of animal-headed gods and themselves.
For 3000 years the Egyptians carved the same basic statue, very boxy with
the left foot forward.
Indentations in the alabaster floor of the Valley Temple of Khafre indicate that 23 statues of Khafre were once placed against the temple wall. It was thought that these permanent statues, made of diorite, would provide a place of the "ka" should the mummy be destroyed. Only one of these statues has been found. (See additional images of this sculpture in the Cairo Museum.*)
Three
pyramids, built in approximately 75 years during the Old Kingdom period,
exhibit both engineering and bureaucratic skills of early Egyptians. Huge
limestone blocks were ferried from quarries on the east side of the Nile
to be placed in tiers. These structures are so immense, requiring numerous
workers and man hours to complete, that they were classed as wonders of
the world. Not only had Egyptians mastered stone masonry but they had
astronomical knowledge as well, evidenced by the fact that the pyramids
are oriented to the cardinal points of the compass. Pictured is Menkaure,
the smallest of the three pyramids of Giza at 218 feet high (about a 15-story
building) and about 356 feet at the base.
The
artisans of Greek sculptors were considered worthy of acknowledgment.
Greeks development of sculpture was swift, from the Archaic to Hellenistic
style in a matter of 300 years. The human form is first accurately depicted
in motion as seen in the Kriotos boy. The classic style is evident in
such works by Phidias as the Partheon pediment. The rapid succession to
the emotive Hellenistic style culminates in the depiction of Laocoon and
his sons.
Greek
stone architecture is best showcased in their temples.The Greeks devised
Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian columns to replace simple posts. They decorated
the pediment area with Greek legends. A continuous band of sculptures,
telling both myths and Greek events, surrounds Ionic temples. Many decorative
moldings employed by Greek architects are still utilized in today's building
trade, such as dentil and egg and dart molding. Anyone who visits Washington,
D.C. is exposed to Greek influenced architecture. The United States' founding
fathers chose to build their capital city in the style of the first democratic
society, Greece.
The
Romans were most known for their use of concrete in construction. This
allowed them to build magnificent building such as the Colosseum and the
Pantheon. Although constructed of concrete they were covered in cut marble
slabs, which gave them the look of a Greek temple, an effect the Romans
emulated.
Roman
sculptures varied from freestanding statues of their leaders, such as
Marcus Aurelius, to relief panels found on their numerous arches. The
relief of the Spoils of Jerusalem on the Arch of Titus is a wonderful
example of the political history of the Roman Empire.
The
Medieval Age, also known as the Dark Ages, lasted from the end of the
Roman Empire in the 5th century AD to the Gothic era in the 13th century.
Contrary to the name, things were not dark during this almost 1000-year
period. Celtic crosses were being carved in Ireland. Romanesque churches
noted for their informative tympanum carvings varied in Western European
countries from England to Italy.
The
epitome in stone building and carving came with the Gothic era. Cathedrals
sprang from the earth soaring higher and higher, decorated with exquisite
carvings of biblical and mythological sources.
For additional information on Gothic era cathedrals, please visit the web site for Westminster Abbey. For more information on Medieval art and architecture, see the New York Carver.
Sculpture
during the Renaissance echoed the art of 5th century BC Greece, a rebirth
of the golden era in art. The human form ,once again, became the "measure
of all things". Classic weight shift, or contrapposto, displayed
the body in a natural pose. Donatello and Michelangelo are two of the
giants of this era.
Renaissance
architecture varied in different regions. Stone was used to depict fortress-like
palazzos and neo-classical structures. Perhaps Palladio's villa designs
best define this period.
The
17th century ushered in a sculpture that displayed great emotion. Bernini
was the master of this expressive style as shown in the magnificent Fountain
of the Four Rivers. Baroque architecture seemed to pulsate. Convex and
concave walls were the norm. Circles and squares were replaced by ovals.
Many examples of this active architecture were found throughout Europe.
As
the name implies, the 19th century saw a resurgance in the romantic, classical
era. Sculptures tried to evoke the calm grandeur of Ancient Greece and
Rome. Canova's likeness of Maria Pauline Borghese as Venus Victrix is
a wonderful example of this trend.
Architecture also had romantic visions in mind when designing structures that appeared to be from the Gothic period. Castle inspired structures appeared in England. The Parliament Building in London is considered a prime example of this "Gothick" revision.
Rodin is considered to be one of the best modern sculptors, whether in stone or bronze. Many are familiar with the Thinker, the Kiss, and the Hand of God. However, other sculptors must be mentioned in this category. Noguchi is noted for his biomorphic shapes.
Twentieth
century sculptures, such as Robert Smithson's Spiral Jetty, use stone
in a more natural setting to depict the ongoing dialogue between nature
and constructive forces. Made in 1969-70 in the Great Salt Lake in Utah,
it has been underwater for decades until a recent drought. It evokes the
endless circle of time that Stone Henge suggested 4500 years ago.
Modern
architecture is again using stone for the same reasons early civilizations
did, permanence and beauty. Frank Lloyd Wright's Fallingwater in Pennsylvania
demonstrates the use of indigenous stone in stunning modern architecture.
This is a very limited list of sculptures and architecture found throughout
history. I hope the various web sites to add to your knowledge of this
fascinating subject.
