(PART 2) CHAPTER 3: WESTERN ART HISTORY

Summary

The video script offers an insightful exploration into the evolution of Western art, starting with the Ancient Egyptian period. It highlights the significance of the Nile River in shaping Egyptian civilization and its art, exemplified by the monumental pyramids that symbolize pharaonic power and the journey into the afterlife. The script delves into the artistic achievements of the Egyptians, including the renowned Bust of Nefertiti and their contributions to beauty and cosmetics, emphasizing the cultural importance of personal adornment. The narrative then contrasts Egyptian art with the naturalism and human scale focus of Greek art, as seen in the Kouros sculptures and the architectural marvel of the Parthenon. The discussion moves to Greek pottery, such as the Kerch vases, and the profound influence of Greek literature, notably Homer's Iliad and Odyssey. Finally, the script touches upon Byzantine art, marking the transition of the Roman Empire's capital to Constantinople, now Istanbul, and its impact on medieval art.

Takeaways

• 🏺 The Ancient Egyptian civilization, located in Northeast Africa, was one of the most powerful and long-lasting of the ancient world, with its culture and art significantly influenced by the Nile River.
• 🔱 The pyramids of Ancient Egypt were monumental architectural expressions of a pharaoh's power, serving as burial places and believed to aid in the passage into the afterlife, symbolizing the primordial mound of creation.
• 👸 The Bust of Nefertiti, discovered in 1912, is an iconic representation of feminine beauty from the Ancient Egyptian period and highlights the status of women in that era.
• 🎨 Ancient Egyptians regarded beauty as a sign of holiness, with cosmetics playing a significant role in daily life and religious practices, including the use of green and black pigments for eye makeup.
• 🌟 Greek art, in contrast to Egyptian art, evolved rapidly towards naturalism, focusing on the realistic representation of the human form and the natural world.
• 🏛 The Parthenon, a temple dedicated to Athena on the Athenian Acropolis, is a prime example of Greek architecture, constructed during the peak of the Athenian Empire.
• 🏺 The Elgin Marbles, originally part of the Parthenon and other Acropolis buildings, are a collection of classical Greek sculptures now housed in the British Museum.
• 📚 Homer, a famous Greek writer, authored two of the most renowned classic literature pieces, the Iliad and the Odyssey, which narrate the events and aftermath of the Trojan War.
• 🕍 Byzantine art, a significant part of medieval art, developed after Constantine the Great moved the Roman Empire's capital to Byzantium, later known as Constantinople, now Istanbul.
• 🖌 The use of red and black figure pottery, such as the Kerch vases, showcases the artistic and cultural achievements of the ancient Greeks, with different types of vessels serving various purposes.
• 🌌 Ancient Egyptian art and culture were deeply connected to their religious beliefs and cosmology, as evidenced by the alignment of pyramids with celestial bodies and the use of cosmetics for both aesthetic and religious reasons.

Q & A

What was the geographical feature that defined ancient Egypt?

The Nile River was the most important geographical feature that defined ancient Egypt, as it provided fertile land due to its annual floods.

What was the significance of the pyramids in ancient Egyptian culture?

Pyramids were monumental architectural expressions of a pharaoh's power, serving as their burial place and a zone of passage into the afterlife.

What did the shape of the Egyptian pyramids symbolize?

The shape of the Egyptian pyramids is thought to represent the primordial mound from which the earth was created and also the descending rays of the sun.

Why were Egyptian pyramids built on the west bank of the Nile?

Egyptian pyramids were built on the west bank of the Nile because it was associated with the realm of the dead, as it was the site of the setting sun in Egyptian mythology.

Who was Nefertiti and why is she significant in ancient Egyptian art?

Nefertiti was a queen consort and later a queen in her own right in ancient Egypt. Her bust, discovered in 1912, made her one of the most famous women of the ancient world and an icon of feminine beauty.

What was the role of beauty and cosmetics in ancient Egyptian culture?

Beauty was regarded as a sign of holiness and an integral part of daily life in ancient Egypt. Cosmetics were used for aesthetic, magical, and religious purposes, and were often buried with the deceased as grave goods.

What are the two main forms of eye makeup used by the ancient Egyptians?

The two main forms of eye makeup used by the ancient Egyptians were green eye paint for the eye shadow, made from malachite, and black kohl for the eyeliners, made from galena or crushed charcoal.

How did Greek art differ from Egyptian art in terms of style?

Greek art evolved rapidly from stylization to naturalism, focusing on the natural form of the human body, in contrast to the continuity and stylization of Egyptian art.

What is the significance of the Parthenon in Greek architecture?

The Parthenon is a former temple on the Athenian Acropolis of Greece, dedicated to the goddess Athena and considered a pinnacle of Greek architecture. It was constructed during the peak of the Athenian Empire.

Who are the Elgin Marbles and why are they important in Greek sculpture?

The Elgin Marbles, also known as the Parthenon Marbles, are a collection of classical Greek marble sculptures that were originally part of the Parthenon and other buildings on the Acropolis of Athens. They are significant as they represent the high artistic achievement of ancient Greece.

What are the two most famous literary works attributed to the Greek writer Homer?

The two most famous literary works attributed to Homer are the 'Iliad', which narrates the battle between King Agamemnon and Achilles during the Trojan War, and the 'Odyssey', which tells the story of Odysseus's journey home after the war.

When did Byzantine art emerge and what significant event led to its development?

Byzantine art emerged around 330 to 450 AD. Its development was significantly influenced by the relocation of the Roman Empire's capital to the Greek city of Byzantium by Constantine the Great in 330 AD.

Outlines

00:00

🏺 Ancient Egyptian Art and Civilization

The first paragraph introduces the ancient Egyptian civilization, highlighting its location in Northeast Africa and its status as a powerful and enduring civilization. It discusses the early Neolithic period farming communities, the use of stone tools, and the significance of the Nile River, which was crucial for the land's fertility due to its annual floods. The paragraph also delves into the architectural marvels of the era, specifically the pyramids, which were not only monumental expressions of a pharaoh's power but also served as burial sites and passageways into the afterlife. The shape of the pyramids is believed to symbolize both the primordial mound of creation and the rays of the sun. The text also mentions the cultural significance of beauty and cosmetics in ancient Egypt, with makeup often used for religious and magical purposes, and the use of specific pigments for eye makeup.

05:01

🏛 Greek Art and the Naturalistic Approach

The second paragraph contrasts Egyptian art with Greek art, emphasizing the evolution of Greek art from stylization to naturalism. It discusses the focus on naturalism and the Greek canons of proportion, which differed from those of the Egyptians. The paragraph provides examples of Greek art, including the use of red and black figure pottery on vessels such as hydrias, lekythoi, and kraters, and the architectural masterpiece that is the Parthenon. The Parthenon, dedicated to the goddess Athena, is described in the context of its construction during the peak of the Athenian empire. The paragraph also touches on the Elgin Marbles, a collection of classical Greek sculptures originally from the Parthenon and now housed in the British Museum.

10:02

⛪ Byzantine Art and the Influence of the Roman Empire

The third paragraph shifts the focus to Byzantine art, which developed after the Roman Emperor Constantine the Great relocated the capital to Byzantium, later known as Constantinople and now Istanbul. Byzantine art is characterized by its religious and cultural significance during the medieval period, with a concentration on religious themes and iconography. The paragraph briefly mentions the transition of the Roman Empire's capital and the lasting impact on art and culture in the region.

Keywords

💡Ancient Egyptian Period

The Ancient Egyptian Period refers to the era of Egyptian history that is known for its powerful and long-lasting civilization. It is characterized by significant achievements in art, architecture, and culture. In the video, this period is highlighted by the construction of pyramids, the discovery of the bust of Nefertiti, and the use of cosmetics, all of which are integral to understanding the artistic and cultural significance of ancient Egypt.

💡Nile River

The Nile River is the world's longest river and was the most important geographical feature for ancient Egypt. It is often referred to as 'the gift of the Nile' due to its annual floods that kept the land fertile, supporting agriculture and the civilization's survival. The river's significance is reflected in the video through its role in the settlement patterns of early communities and its association with the realm of the dead in Egyptian mythology.

💡Pyramids

Pyramids are monumental architectural structures that were built by ancient Egyptians as a testament to the power of pharaohs and as their burial places. They are thought to symbolize the primordial mound from which the earth was created and are aligned with celestial bodies to facilitate the pharaoh's passage into the afterlife. In the video, pyramids are described as the most significant art pieces of the ancient Egyptian period, showcasing the civilization's architectural prowess and belief in the afterlife.

💡Nefertiti Bust

The bust of Nefertiti is an iconic piece of ancient Egyptian art discovered in 1912 at Amarna. Nefertiti, meaning 'the beautiful one has come forth,' was a queen consort and later a queen in her own right. Her bust has become a symbol of feminine beauty and is one of the most famous representations of women from the ancient world. The video emphasizes the artistic and cultural impact of the Nefertiti bust as a significant artifact from the ancient Egyptian period.

💡Cosmetics

In ancient Egypt, cosmetics were not only used for aesthetic purposes but also held magical and religious significance. The Egyptians regarded beauty as a sign of holiness and an integral part of daily life. The video discusses the use of green eye paint made from malachite and black eyeliner made from galena, highlighting the scientific evidence that supports the ancient belief in the protective properties of these cosmetics against eye infections.

💡Greek Art

Greek art is characterized by its evolution from stylization to naturalism, focusing on the treatment of nature and the human form. Unlike Egyptian art, which emphasized stylization, Greek art concentrated on naturalism and the ideal proportions of the human body. The video contrasts Greek art with Egyptian art, using the statue of a family portrait as an example of Egyptian art and 'Laocoon and his Sons' as a representative of Greek art to illustrate the differences in artistic styles.

💡Kerch Vases

Kerch vases are examples of Greek pottery, specifically red-figure pottery, where red figures are drawn on a black background. They come in various forms such as hydria (water container), lekythos (flask for oil), and crater (bowl for mixing wine and water). The video uses Kerch vases to illustrate the craftsmanship and artistic expression in Greek pottery, which was a significant aspect of their material culture.

💡Parthenon

The Parthenon is a former temple on the Athenian Acropolis in Greece, dedicated to the goddess Athena. It is an iconic example of Greek architecture, constructed during the peak of the Athenian empire. The video describes the Parthenon's construction timeline and its cultural significance, emphasizing its role as a symbol of Athenian power and artistic achievement.

💡Elgin Marbles

The Elgin Marbles, also known as the Parthenon Marbles, are a collection of classical Greek marble sculptures that were originally part of the Parthenon and other buildings on the Acropolis of Athens. They are named after Lord Elgin, a British ambassador who removed them in the early 19th century. The video mentions the Elgin Marbles as an example of Greek sculpture, noting their current location in the British Museum and their significance in the study of classical art.

💡Homer

Homer is a renowned Greek writer, credited with composing two of the most famous classic literature pieces, the Iliad and the Odyssey. The Iliad narrates the battle between King Agamemnon and Achilles during the Trojan War, while the Odyssey follows the journey of Odysseus, the King of Ithaca, as he returns home after the war. The video highlights Homer's works as key contributions to Greek literature, which have had a profound impact on Western literature and culture.

💡Byzantine Art

Byzantine art refers to the artistic products of the Byzantine Empire, which developed after Constantine the Great relocated the capital of the Roman Empire to Byzantium (later Constantinople, now Istanbul) in AD 330. Byzantine art is characterized by its religious themes and distinctive style, which influenced medieval art in the West. The video briefly introduces Byzantine art as the focus of the medieval art period, setting the stage for the transition from classical to medieval artistic styles.

Highlights

Ancient Egypt was one of the most powerful and longest lasting civilizations of the ancient world.

Farming communities in the Neolithic period settled along the banks of the Nile River, using stone tools and making pottery.

Egypt was divided into Upper Egypt in the south and Lower Egypt in the north before its unification around 3100 BC.

The Nile River, the world's longest river, was Egypt's most important geographical feature, keeping the land fertile through annual floods.

Pyramids were the most monumental architectural expression of an Egyptian pharaoh's power, also serving as burial places and passage into the afterlife.

The shape of Egyptian pyramids is thought to represent the primordial mound from which the earth was created.

Egyptians believed the dark area of the night sky was the physical gateway into the heavens, with pyramid shafts pointing towards it.

Egyptian pyramids were built on the west bank of the Nile, associated with the realm of the dead.

The Bust of Nefertiti, found in 1912, made her one of the most famous women of the ancient world and an icon of feminine beauty.

Nefertiti was not only a queen consort of Egypt but also a queen in her own right.

Ancient Egyptians regarded beauty as a sign of holiness and an integral part of daily life.

Cosmetics were used for magical and religious purposes in addition to aesthetics, and were buried with the deceased as grave goods.

Two main forms of eye makeup were used: green eye paint made from malachite (copper carbonate) and black eyeliner made from galena (dark gray lead sulfide).

The black eyeliner may have helped prevent eye infections and strengthen the immune system against diseases.

Greek art evolved rapidly from stylization to naturalism, focusing on the natural form of the human body.

Greek art measurements were in relation to human scale and organic form, differentiating it from the stylization of Egyptian art.

Kerch vases are red-figure pottery with large quantities found in Crimea, featuring different types like hydria, lekythos, and crater.

The Parthenon, a temple dedicated to Athena on the Athenian Acropolis, was built during the peak of the Athenian empire between 447-432 BC.

The Elgin Marbles, a collection of classical Greek marble sculptures from the Parthenon, are currently housed in the British Museum.

Homer, a famous Greek writer, authored the Iliad, which narrates the battle between King Agamemnon and Achilles during the Trojan War.

The Odyssey, a sequel to the Iliad, tells the story of Odysseus, the King of Ithaca, as he journeys home after the Trojan War.

Byzantine art developed when Constantine the Great relocated the Roman Empire's capital to Byzantium (later Constantinople, now Istanbul) in AD 330.

Transcripts

let us continue with the second art

period and that is the ancient egyptian

period

egypt which is located in northeast

africa

was the home of one of the most powerful

and longest lasting civilizations

of the ancient world in the neolithic

period before about 7000 bc

farming communities had settled along

the banks

of the nile river they used stone tools

and made ivory and bone objects

and pottery products until its

unification

around 3100 bc ancient

egypt had been divided into upper egypt

in the south

and lower egypt in the north egypt was

defined

by its most important geographical

feature

and that is the nile river the world's

longest

river because annual floods kept

the land fertile egypt was called

the gift of the nile

the first example of an art piece under

the ancient egyptian period

are pyramids pyramids are the most

monumental architectural expression

of an egyptian pharaoh's power

it also serves as their burial place and

zone of passage into the afterlife these

were originally made

of mud brick and were faced with cut

stones and the shape of the egyptian

pyramids

is thought to represent the primordial

mouth

from which the egyptians believed that

the earth was created

the shape of a pyramid is also thought

to be representative

of the descending race of the sun

and most pyramids were faced with

polished

highly reflective white limestone in

order to give them

a brilliant appearance when viewed from

a distance now the egyptians believe

that the dark area of the night sky

around which the stars appeared to

revolve was the physical

gateway into the heavens one of the

narrow shafts

that extend from the main braille

chamber of the pyramid

through the entire body of the great

pyramid points

directly towards the center of this

part of the sky this suggests that the

pyramid

may have been designed to serve as a

means

to magically launch the deceased feral

soul directly into the abode

of the gods now all egyptian pyramids

were built

on the west bank of the nile which

as the site of the setting sun was

associated with the realm of the dead

in egyptian mythology

our next example of an art piece under

the ancient egyptian period

is the boss of nefertiti the nefertiti

boss was found

on december 6 1912 at amarna

by the german oriental company led by

the german

archaeologist ludwig boardshard now

owing to the

work the nefertiti bosses became one of

the most famous women

of the ancient world and she became an

icon

of feminine beauty even her name

nefertiti

means the beautiful one has come forth

nefertiti was not only a queen consort

of

egypt she also became a queen

in her own right

the last example of one of the

contributions of the ancient

egyptians when it comes to art are

beauty and cosmetics it is also

one of the longest lasting contributions

of the ancient egyptians when it comes

to art now the ancient egyptians believe

or regard beauty

as a sign of holiness they regard it as

an integral part

of their daily lives even traders trade

makeup often especially in the upper

classes

in tombs cosmetic palettes were also

found

buried with deceased as grave goods

which further emphasized the idea that

cosmetics

were not only used for aesthetic

purposes but rather for

magical and religious purposes now

there are two main forms of eye makeup

that they use

first one it's a green eye paint which

they use for their eye

shadow and the second one you have a

black coal

which they use for their eyeliners now

the green

pigment was made from a substance called

malachi which is a copper carbonate

pigment

while the black hole was made from a

substance called

galena which is a dark gray or crushed

up charcoal

was also used in this process now the

ancient egyptians

were not entirely misguided in believing

that

coal would prevent eye infections

because

there is a scientific evidence for

it it actually did prevent an ocular

infection

that was caused by the flooding of the

nile now the lead-based

substance in the coal promoted the

production of nitric

oxide in their skin which helped

strengthen

their immune system against diseases

the suit in the call helped in reducing

the damaging effects

of sun glare on their eyes

let us continue with the third period in

western art we have

the greek art

now when it comes to style let us

differentiate egyptian art

and greek art now let us use these

examples

on your left side you have an egyptian

statue of a family portrait

as a representative of egyptian art

while on your right side you have lao

kun and

his sons which is the representative for

greek art now in contrast to the

continuity of egyptian art

greek art evolved rapidly from

stylization

down to naturalism so their

concentration is naturalism

the treatment of nature and place in it

ideal as well as actual differentiated

the greek canons of proportion from

those

used by the egyptians in greek art

measurements of the sculpture or the

subjects

were in relation to human scale and

organic form now if you look at the

egyptian sculpture on your left

you would notice that the figures are

too stiff

and there are less details on the body

part so there is a focus

on stylization unlike the one on your

right

wherein you can see the flow of the body

towards different directions

and the details of the muscles of the

subjects

there is so you can see the focus on the

natural form

of the human body

let us start with the very first example

of greek period art and that is the

courage based paintings

now kirsch vases are red figured pottery

wherein a large quantity of them were

found at

church on the black sea coast of

crimea now this is your example of a

cursed

vase pottery now cursed vases are red

figure pottery so when you say red

figure pottery

red figures are drawn on a black

background so going back to the example

given on the upper portion as you can

see

red tinted figures are drawn

onto this black background

now there are different types of kerch

vases the first one you have your hydria

which is a water container

the second type you have your lekitos

which is a flask for storing and pouring

oil the third example you have your

crater which is a bowl for mixing wine

and water now curj vases can either be

red figured buttery or black figured

pottery

this picture as you can see that is your

example of a black

figure pottery meaning black figures

are drawn onto a red background okay the

next example

the next type rather of a courage space

you have your amphora

which is a vessel for storing honey

olive oil

water and etc the fifth one you have

your

helix which is a drinking cup and the

last

type you have oy nico which is a drug

for

pouring wine

now when it comes to greek architecture

our example

is the parthenon

now please look first at the picture to

see what the parthenon might have looked

before it was destroyed

now the parthenon is a former temple on

the athenian acropolis of greece it was

dedicated

to the goddess athena whom the people of

athens

consider their patron the construction

began

in 447 bc when the athenian empire was

at its peak of

power it was completed in 438

bc although the declaration of the

building continued

until 432 bc now the origin of the

parthenon's

name is from the greek word parthenon

which referred to the unmarried

women's apartments in a house and in the

parthenon's case seems to have been used

at first

only for a particular room of the temple

it is debated

which room this is and how the room

acquired its name the priest says

in the temple are unmarried women

hence the name unmarried women's

apartments

for the parthenon

when it comes to greek sculpture we have

the elgin marbles

the elgin marbles also known as the

parthenon marbles

are a collection of classical greek

marble sculptures

made under the supervision of the

architect and sculptor

fides and his assistants these marble

statues or marvel sculptures were

originally part of the temple of the

parthenon

and other buildings on the acropolis of

athens

these marbles are currently housed in

the british

museum

and when it comes to greek literature we

have the famous

homer

the greek writer homer wrote two of the

most famous

classic literature pieces of all time

the first one you have ilyad eliot

basically narrates

the battle between king agamemnon vs

achilles

during the trojan war and the second

literary piece he wrote

is odyssey which is a sequel of iliad

it basically narrates the journey of

odysseus

the king of ithaca as he goes home after

the trojan war

the fourth period in western art we have

medieval art

medieval art concentrates on byzantine

art from circa 330

to circa 450

byzantine art developed when constantine

the great

transferred or relocated the capital of

the roman

empire to the greek city of byzantium in

ad-330

byzantium later became known as

constantinople now the city of

constantinople

is currently the city of istanbul

in turkey