Art History 101: Paleolithic Course Project Student Name ✓ Solved

Art History 101 Course Project Student Name Unit 1: Paleolithic

This assignment includes content from Units 5 and 6 in the first four slides starting with slide #2 (the slide after the title slide). should be added to Project 1 using the following format:

• Label Slide 10 as “Jewish, Early Christian, and Byzantine Art” o Choose one piece of art that accurately represents Early Christian Art (use the creation dates to determine its accuracy). Add one image of your selection to this slide and label each with title, date, and location. Write one paragraph analyzing your selection. Use your own words to explain how these artworks illustrate their time period, using terminology as needed. Each paragraph should be at least five sentences long.
• Label Slide 11 as “Jewish, Early Christian, and Byzantine Art” o Choose one piece of art that accurately represents Byzantine Art (use the creation dates to determine its accuracy). Add one image of your selection to this slide and label each with title, date, and location. Write one paragraph analyzing your selection. Use your own words to explain how these artworks illustrate their time period, using terminology as needed. Each paragraph should be at least five sentences long.
• Label Slide 12 as “Islamic Art” o Choose one piece of art that accurately represents Islamic Art (use the creation dates to determine its accuracy). Add one image of your selection to this slide and label each with title, date, and location. Write one paragraph analyzing your selection. Use your own words to explain how these artworks illustrate their time period, using terminology as needed. Each paragraph should be at least five sentences long.
• Label Slide 13 as “Early Medieval Art” o Choose one piece of art that accurately represents Early Medieval Art (use the creation dates to determine its accuracy). Add one image of your selection to this slide and label each with title, date, and location. Write one paragraph analyzing your selection. Use your own words to explain how these artworks illustrate their time period, using terminology as needed. Each paragraph should be at least five sentences long.
• Slide 18: Reference Slide o Add any additional references used to the reference slide in APA format (no need to double-space or indent the second lines).

Note: Do not use the notes section under any of your slides. They do not appear when downloaded to Blackboard. If you need to add additional slides to fit your analyses, feel free to do so! The minimum requirement for the course project is two slides per Unit, but please feel free to add more to accommodate your work.

Requirements: This assignment will be done in the PowerPoint file from Unit 1. Fill in the required information. The reference slide must be in APA format.

Paper For Above Instructions

The aim of this project is to analyze a selection of artifacts from different art historical periods, focusing on those from the Jewish, Early Christian, Byzantine, Islamic, and Early Medieval eras. This exploration highlights the cultural, historical, and artistic significance of these artworks, as well as their representation of the time periods they belong to.

Jewish, Early Christian, and Byzantine Art

For the slide labeled "Jewish, Early Christian, and Byzantine Art," one selected piece of Early Christian art is the "Good Shepherd" mosaic from the 4th century CE, located in the Mausoleum of Galla Placidia in Ravenna, Italy. This artwork depicts Christ as the Good Shepherd, carrying a lamb on his shoulders, symbolizing care, sacrifice, and guidance to his followers. The mosaic's use of gold leaf background emphasizes the divine nature of the figure, while the sheep represent the early Christian congregation. This image illustrates not only theological concepts but also reflects the social context of Early Christianity, where pastoral imagery served to comfort believers facing persecution. The stylistic choices, including the use of naturalistic yet simplified forms, highlight the transitional nature of the period, merging classical motifs with emerging Christian iconography (Chastel, 1997).

Byzantine Art

For Byzantine art, the selected piece is the mosaic of Christ Pantocrator, located in the Hagia Sophia, Istanbul, dated around the 6th century CE. This mosaic portrays Christ as the all-powerful ruler and judge of humanity. The intense gaze and the formal positioning of Christ convey authority and a direct relationship with the viewer, which was a shift from the more approachable depictions of Christ in earlier art. The use of rich colors and gold in the mosaic underscores the wealth and power of the Byzantine Empire at its height. This artwork not only reflects a shift in theological focus but also serves as a visual representation of imperial power, making it integral to understanding Byzantine culture (Kitzinger, 1977).

Islamic Art

For the slide on Islamic Art, one notable piece is the Alhambra's intricate tile work, posited in Granada, Spain, created in the 14th century. Islamic art is characterized by its non-representational art forms, emphasizing patterns, calligraphy, and the interplay of light and shadow. The Alhambra's tiles exemplify this with their geometric precision and vibrant colors, which reflect the harmony and intricacy of Islamic philosophy. The use of arabesques symbolizes the infinite nature of Allah, promoting contemplation beyond the earthly realm. This artwork serves as an essential example of Islamic art's ability to blend aesthetics with spirituality (Grabar, 1987).

Early Medieval Art

Lastly, for Early Medieval Art, the selected piece is the "Book of Kells," a beautifully illuminated manuscript created circa 800 CE in Ireland. This artwork is renowned for its exceptional ornamental detail and vibrant colors. The intricate decorations reflect not only the religious themes of Christianity but also the cultural context of the insular art movement that emerged in medieval Ireland. The illustrations serve to convey the Gospel messages in a visual format that would resonate with the audience of the time, highlighting the manuscript's role in the preservation and dissemination of Christian teachings. Furthermore, the Book of Kells signifies the importance of written art in the medieval period as a blend of ecclesiastical and cultural heritage (Woods, 1995).

Conclusion

This project provides insight into how art reflects and shapes cultural identities throughout history. The selected works from these various periods highlight the unique characteristics and concerns of their respective times. By analyzing these artworks, one can gain a deeper understanding of the historical, cultural, and theological significance they hold within their contexts.

References

• Chastel, A. (1997). A History of Art. Art Books Ltd.
• Kitzinger, E. (1977). Byzantine Art in the Making. University of Maryland Press.
• Grabar, O. (1987). The Meditative Art of Islamic Culture. Princeton University Press.
• Woods, R. (1995). The Book of Kells: The Illustrated Story of the Great Irish Manuscript. Nonesuch Press.
• Turner, J. (2011). The Dictionary of Art. Grove Art.
• Marilyn Stokstad, M. (2018). Art History. Pearson.
• Adams, L. (2007). Art Through the Ages. Cengage Learning.
• Freedberg, S. (1989). The Power of Images: Studies in the History and Theory of Response. University of Chicago Press.
• Gardner, H. (2008). Gardner's Art Through the Ages. Cengage Learning.
• Smith, L. (2003). The History of Art. Thames & Hudson.