Mona Lisa´'s Smile - First Lesson scene

Summary

In this art history lecture, Dr. Stanton's syllabus is followed, introducing students to ancient art pieces like the 'Wounded Bison' from Altamira, Spain, and the 'Herd of Horses' from Lasco, France. The sophistication of these early artworks is highlighted, emphasizing that age does not equate to primitiveness. The lecture also covers Egyptian funerary statues and frescoes, illustrating the historical significance and artistic techniques of these artifacts.

Takeaways

• 🎨 The course 'History of Art 100' follows Dr. Stanton's syllabus, indicating a structured approach to art history.
• 🖌️ Art has been a part of human culture since ancient times, as evidenced by the cave paintings of wounded bison in Altamira, Spain, dating back to 15,000 BC.
• 📜 The sophistication of early art is highlighted by the technical skills shown in the Altamira paintings, such as shading and line thickness.
• 🌟 The discovery of the Lasco cave paintings in France in 1879 introduced art that is both ancient and technically advanced, with flowing lines depicting movement.
• 🗿 'My Serus and His Queen' is a funerary statue from 2470 BC, showing the importance of art in ancient Egyptian culture and its role in preserving the soul.
• 📝 The seated scribe statue from 2400 BC and the peasant couple plowing from 16th century BC Egypt illustrate the diversity of subjects in ancient art.
• 🐍 The snake goddess Menan from 16600 BC and the Fresco Manan from 1600 BC showcase the spiritual and mythological aspects of early art.
• 🤔 The script suggests that not all students in the class have a background in art history, as none have taken the course before.
• 📚 The instructor encourages students to read the entire text and suggested supplements, emphasizing the importance of thorough preparation.
• 🎵 The mention of 'independent study' and the musical note hint at a possible transition to a more self-directed learning approach in the class.

Q & A

What is the course being discussed in the transcript?

The course being discussed is 'History of Art 100', following Dr. Stanton's syllabus.

What is the first artwork mentioned in the transcript and where was it found?

The first artwork mentioned is 'Wounded Bison', which was found in Altamira, Spain.

How old are the paintings of the Wounded Bison?

The paintings of the Wounded Bison are approximately 15,000 years old, dating back to about 15,000 BC.

What is unique about the technique used in the Wounded Bison painting?

The technique used in the Wounded Bison painting is sophisticated for its age, with the use of shading and the thickness of lines that change as they move over the hump of the bison.

What is the significance of the Lascaux paintings discovered in 1879?

The Lascaux paintings are significant for their flowing lines that depict the movement of animals, despite being very ancient.

What is the name of the artwork that features a herd of horses?

The artwork featuring a herd of horses is referred to as 'Flicka' by the students, but its actual name is not provided in the transcript.

Why were the Mycerinus and his Queen statues created?

The statues of Mycerinus and his Queen were created as funerary statues, intended to preserve the pharaoh's ka, or soul.

What is the time period of the seated scribe statue mentioned in the transcript?

The seated scribe statue is from the 26th century BC.

What is the name of the artwork that depicts a peasant couple plowing?

The artwork that depicts a peasant couple plowing is not named in the transcript, but it is from the 16th century BC.

What is the name of the snake goddess artwork from the transcript?

The snake goddess artwork is from Menan, dating back to 1660 BC.

What does the acronym 'BC' stand for in the context of the transcript?

In the context of the transcript, 'BC' stands for 'Before Christ', indicating the time period of the ancient artworks.