Term
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Definition
Title: Seated Gudea of Lagash
Artist: Unk.
Culture: Neo-Sumerian
Date: 2100 BCE
Material: Diorite
Patron: Gudea of Lagash
Other info:
Shows power through piety
Enlarged eyes and folded hands show piety
Large head symbolizes knowledge
Muscular arms show strength |
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Term
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Definition
Title: Stele with Law Code of Hammurabi
Artist: Unk.
Culture: Babylonian
Date: 1780 BCE
Material: Basalt
Patron: Hammurabi
Other info:
Code of law
Relief sculpture of Hammurabi and god Shamash
Law written in cuneiform |
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Term
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Definition
Title: Ziggurat at Ur
Artist: Unk.
Culture: Neo-Sumerian
Date: 2100 BCE
Material: Mud-brick
Patron: Unk.
Other info:
One of the largest and best preserved ziggurats
Temples were located on top of ziggurats
Ziggurats served as artificial mountains to bring worshipper closer to heavens |
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Term
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Definition
Title: Head of Akkadian Ruler
Artist: Unk.
Culture: Akkadian
Date: 2200 BCE
Material: Bronze
Patron: Unk.
Other info:
Possibly King Sargon
Hollowing-cast sculpture technique
Combines stylization and naturalism |
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Term
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Definition
Title: Victory Stele of Naram-Sim (2254-2218 BCE)
Artist: Unk.
Culture: Akkadian
Date: 2200 BCE
Material: Pink Sandstone
Patron: Naram-Sim
Other info:
Hierarchical scale
Shown as god-like
Landscape background instead of registers |
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Term
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Definition
Title: Eshnunna Votive Worshiper Figures
Artist: Unk.
Culture: Sumerian
Date: 2700 BCE
Material: Gypsum, shell, black limestone
Patron: Unk.
Other info:
Substituted for worshiper in constant attendance to deity
Oversized eyes to symbolize spirituality
Folded hands as if in prayer |
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Term
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Definition
Title: Bull-headed Lyre from tomb at Royal Cemetery of Ur
Artist: Unk.
Culture: Sumerian
Date: 2600 BCE
Material: Wood, gold, lapis lazuli
Patron: Unk.
Other info:
Found in Royal Tomb in Ur
Shows register, ground line, composite view of human figure
Possibly part of musical instrument |
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Term
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Definition
Title: War Side of the Standard of Ur and Peace Side of Standard of Ur
Artist: Unk.
Culture: Sumerian
Date: 2600 BCE
Material: Wood, shell, lapis lazuli, and limestone
Patron: Unk.
Other info:
Found in Royal Tomb in Ur
Shows register, ground line, composite view, and hierarchical scale
Two sides
Narrative reads from lower left to upper right |
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Term
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Definition
Title: White Temple and Ziggurat of Uruk (reconstruction drawing)
Artist: Unk.
Culture: Sumerian
Date: 3100 BCE
Material: Mud-brick
Patron: Inanna
Other info:
Earliest ziggurat
Ziggurats were large trapezoidal platforms
Temples were located on top of ziggurats
Ziggurats served as artificial mountain to bring worshipers closer to heavens |
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Term
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Definition
Title: Assyrian Archers Pursuing Enemies, relief from Palace of Ashurnasirpal II
Artist: Unk.
Culture: Assyrian
Date: 883-860 BCE
Material: Limestone
Patron: Ashurnasirpal
Other info:
Narrative relief sculpture
Representation of landscape and space
Functioned as propaganda showing power of king
Usually portrayed specific battles |
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Term
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Definition
Title: Lion Gate - Hittite
Artist: Unk.
Culture: Hittite
Date: 1400 BCE
Material: Mud-brick
Patron: Unk.
Other info:
Lions used to guard city gates
Stone used in construction
Large scale |
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Term
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Definition
Title: King Ashurbanipal Hunting Lions
Artist: Unk.
Culture: Assyrian
Date: 640 BCE
Material: Limestone
Patron: Ashurbanipal
Other info:
Narrative relief from the Palace of Ashurbanipal
Expression of king's power and for intimidation of visitors
Staged event
Human shows no emotion, animal shows pain
Honored hunting & warfare |
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Term
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Definition
Title: Dying Lion
Artist: Unk.
Culture: Assyrian
Date: 640 BCE
Material: Limestone
Patron: Ashurbanipal
Other info:
Narrative relief from the Palace of Ashnurbanipal
Expression of king's power and for intimidation of visitors
Staged event
Animal shows pain
Honored hunting and warfare |
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Term
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Definition
Title: Dying Lioness
Artist: Unk.
Culture: Assyrian
Date: 640 BCE
Material: Limestone
Patron: Ashurbanipal II
Other info:
Narrative relief from the Palace of Ashurbanipal
Subject is expression of king's power and to intimidate
Staged event
Honored hunting and warfare
Animal shows pain |
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Term
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Definition
Title: Lamassu
Artist: Unk.
Culture: Assyrian
Date: 700 BCE
Material: Limestone
Patron: Sargon II
Other info:
Huge winged human-headed bulls
From city gates of the capital of Sargon II
Carved with 5 legs so that it's viewed from any angle as always having 4 legs |
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Term
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Definition
Title: Drawing of Citadel of Sargon II, at Dur Sharrukin
Artist: Unk.
Culture: Assyrian
Date: 700 BCE
Material: Mud-brick
Patron: Sargon II
Other info:
Large complex including a ziggurat, palace and courtyards
Palace of Sargon II
Lamassu guarded gate |
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Term
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Definition
Title: The Ishtar Gates
Artist: Unk.
Culture: Neo-Babylonian
Date: 575 BCE
Material: Glazed Brick
Patron: Nebuchadnezzar II
Other info:
Mud-brick overlayed with glazed brick
Lion in honored of goddess Ishtar
King Nebuchadnezzar II
Power through numbers |
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Term
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Definition
Title: Detail from Ishtar Gate
Artist: Unk.
Culture: Neo-Babylonian
Date: 575 BCE
Material: Glazed brick
Patron: Nebuchadnezzar II
Other info:
Lion in honor of goddess Ishtar
Power through numbers |
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Term
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Definition
Title: Exterior view of Persepolis, showing relief of guards
Artist: Unk.
Culture: Persian
Date: 500 BCE
Material: Mud and Stone
Patron: Darius I and Xerxes
Other info:
Relief of mass numbers of soldiers (immortals) and emissaries
Power through numbers
Mud-brick with stone facade
Bull or lion capitals on columns |
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Term
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Definition
Title: Double Bull-capital from the audience chamber of Darius' palace
Artist: Unk.
Culture: Persian
Date: 500 BCE
Material: Limestone
Patron: Darius I and Xerxes
Other info:
Bull/ lion capitals on columns
Could accommodate thousands
Power through numbers |
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Term
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Definition
Title: Bronze Ding with Tao-Tie Motif
Artist: Unk.
Culture: Early Chinese
Date: 1200 BCE
Material: Bronze
Patron: Shang Ti-c
Other info:
Bronze dings were common
Ceremonial container for holding/cooking food
Often bured with owner |
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Term
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Definition
Title: Army of Emperor Shi Huangdi
Artist: Unk.
Culture: Early Chinese
Date: 210 CE
Material: Painted terracotta
Patron: Emperor Shi Huangdi
Other info:
7000 soldiers and horses
Bodies were made in molds but faces were individualized |
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Term
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Definition
Title: Buddha and Bodhisattva
Artist: Unk.
Culture: Early Chinese
Date: 460-494 CE
Material: Rock
Patron: Unk.
Other info:
Colossal Buddha in Yungang Caves
Oldest example of Buddhist rock carving
Symbols of Buddha, elongated ears, top-knot, lotus position, knowing smile
45 feet high |
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Term
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Definition
Title: Great Wild Goose Pagoda
Artist: Unk.
Culture: Early Chinese
Date: 625 CE
Material: Stone
Patron: Unk.
Other info:
Earliest surviving example of a stone pagoda
Influenced by Indian stupa design
Built to keep sacred objects & writings |
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Term
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Definition
Title: Children at Play on a Winter's Day
Artist: Su Hanshne
Culture: Early Chinese
Date: 1130 CE
Material: Silk
Patron: Unk.
Other info:
Hanging Scroll
Used overlapping of figures to create illusion of depth
Natural poses of figures
Used contour lines to create figures |
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Term
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Definition
Title: Portion of the Chinese Cityscape Handscroll "ALong the River During Qingming Festival
Artist: Zhang Zeduan
Culture: Early Chinese
Date: 960-1127 CE
Material: Silk
Patron: Unk.
Other info:
Handscroll
Not used as a decoration but meant to be studied
Unrolled in section and read right to left
Delicate lines are used to create images |
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Term
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Definition
Title: Pigeon on a Peach Branch
Artist: Emperor Huizong
Culture: Early Chinese
Date: 1108 - 1109 CE
Material: Silk
Patron: Emperor Huizong
Other info:
Album Sheet
Nature as subject expressing spirituality
Read seal marks show artist or owner
Calligraphy included is often a poem |
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Term
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Definition
Title: Roof of the Naiku, Shinto shrine dedicated to Amaterasu
Artist: Unk.
Culture: Early Japanese
Date: 1st Century CE
Material: Wood
Patron: Amaterasu
Other info:
Rebuilt many times
Used same traditional methods & building styles
Amaterasu is the Shinto sun goddess
Roof is composed of diagonal beams and is steep pitched with long eaves |
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Term
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Definition
Title: Night Attack on Sanjo Palace
Artist: Unk.
Culture: Early Japanese
Date: 1185-1333 CE
Material: Paper
Patron: Unk.
Other info:
First samurai battle
Burning of the Sanjo Palace in Kyoto
Detail from Heiji Scroll
Shows details of Japanese armor and weapons |
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Term
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Definition
Title: Goju-no-To (Five-Story Pagoda)
Artist: Unk.
Culture: Early Japanese
Date: 8th century
Material: Wood
Patron: Unk.
Other info:
Part of a temple complex
Built by Buddhist carpenters from Korea
122 feet high
Meant to be viewed from outside |
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Term
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Definition
Title: Palette of King Narmer
Artist: Unk.
Culture: Ancient Egyptian
Date: 2900 BCE
Material: Green Schist
Patron: King Narmer
Other info:
Shows unification of Upper and Lower Egypt
Used registers and hierarchical scale
Used eye paint for protection from sun
Relief sculpture on both sides |
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Term
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Definition
Title: Stepped Pyramid of King Djoser
Artist: Imhotep
Culture: Old Kingdom Egyptian
Date: 2800 BCE
Material: Limestone
Patron: King Djoser
Other info:
First known artist, Imhotep architect
Made of mastabas
It's a tomb that contained Djoser's sarcophagus
Part of a complex of buildings |
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Term
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Definition
Title: Great Pyramids of Giza
Artist: Unk.
Culture: Old Kingdom Egyptian
Date: 2500 BCE
Material: Limestone
Patron: Unk.
Other info:
Oriented to the 4 points of the compass
Tomb for pharaohs
Capped with pyramidion |
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Term
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Definition
Title: Great Sphinx of Giza
Artist: Unk.
Culture: Old Kingdom Egyptian
Date: 2500 BCE
Material: Limestone
Patron: Unk
Other info:
In situ
Combination of lion and human, possibly Khafre
Faces east |
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Term
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Definition
Title: Khafre
Artist: Unk.
Culture: Old Kingdom Egyptian
Date: 2400 BCE
Material: Diorite
Patron: Khafre
Other info:
Idealized, frontal, symmetrical
Subtractive method of sculpture
Horus the falcon god behind pharaoh's head, symbol of pharaoh's connection with the goods |
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Term
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Definition
Title: Seated Scribe
Artist: Unk.
Culture: Old Kingdom Egyptain
Date: 2400 BCE
Material: Limestone
Patron: Unk.
Other info:
Naturalist figure style
Painted wood
Probably a ka sculpture
Not an individualized portrait |
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Term
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Definition
Title: Ti Watching a Hippopotamus Hunt
Artist: Unk.
Culture: Old Kingdom Egyptian
Date: 2400 BCE
Material: Limestone
Patron: Ti, a government official
Other info:
Painted relief sculpture
Shows nature
Shows figures in composite perspective and hierarchical scale
Image of successful hunting symbolizes victory over evil |
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Term
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Definition
Title: Face of Senwosret III
Artist: Unk.
Culture: Middle Kingdom Egyptian
Date: 1800 BCE
Material: Black granite
Patron: Senwosret III
Other info:
Not idealized
Shows reflective expression
Shows aging man weighed down with responsibilities
Also known as Senusret III |
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Term
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Definition
Title: Mortuary Temple of Queen Hatshepsut
Artist: Unk.
Culture: New Kingdom Egyptian
Date: 1450 BCE
Material: Limestone
Patron: Queen Hatshepsut
Other info:
Monumental and symmetrical
Mortuary temple
Incorporated nature in terraces
Female pharaoh
Fits into rock landscape |
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Term
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Definition
Title: Temple of Ramses II
Artist: Unk.
Culture: New Kingdom Egyptian
Date: 1250 BCE
Material: Limestone
Patron: Ramses II
Other info:
Rock cut temple
4 colossal seated statues of Ramses II
Inside Ramses is depicted as god Osiris
Small statues of family members placed between Ramses statues' legs |
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Term
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Definition
Title: Plan of Egyptian Temple
Artist: Unk.
Culture: New Kingdom Egyptian
Date: 1250 BCE
Material: Unk.
Patron: Unk.
Other info:
Hypostyle Hall
Pylon
Bilaterally symmetrical
Single striaght path to sanctuary |
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Term
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Definition
Title: Temple of Amun-Ra, Hyostyle Hall
Artist: Unk.
Culture: New Kingdom Egyptian
Date: 1250 BCE
Material: Stone
Patron: Ramses II and Pharaoh Seti I
Other info:
Hypostyle Hall
Painted columns
134 pillars, each about 45 feet in circumference and 70 feet high
Area of hall is over 64,500 sq. feet |
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Term
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Definition
Title: Akhenaton
Artist: Unk.
Culture: New Kingdom Egyptian
Date: 1353-1335 BCE
Material: Sandstone
Patron: Akhenaton
Other info:
Amarna style
Revolutionary figure style
Worship of Aton as the universal and only god
Emphasize maat, or divine truth |
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Term
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Definition
Title: Queen Nefertiti
Artist: Thutmose
Culture: Egyptian
Date: 1353-1335 BCE
Material: Limestone
Patron: Akhenaton
Other info:
Amarna style
Akhenaton's wife
Elegant realistic image
Found in sculptor's studio |
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Term
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Definition
Title: Funerary Mask of Tutankhamen
Artist: Unk.
Culture: New Kingdom Egyptian
Date: 1323 BCE
Material: Gold and semiprecious stones
Patron: Tutankhamen
Other info:
Idealized youthful face
Found with mummy
Archaeologist Howard Carter
Has both cobra and vulture heads on center of the nemes, symbolizing protection |
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Term
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Definition
Title: Akhenaton, Nefertiti and Three of their Daughters
Artist: Unk.
Culture: New Kingdom Egyptian
Date: 1353 - 1335 BCE
Material: Limestone
Patron: Akhenaton
Other info:
Amarna body style
Genre scene
Approval of god Aten
Overlapping of figures creates illusion of depth |
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Term
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Definition
Title: Judgement before Osiris
Artist: Unk.
Culture: Egyptian
Date: 1290-1280 BCE
Material: Papyrus
Patron: Pharaoh Seti I's courtier, Hunefer
Other info:
From group of scrolls known as The Books of the Dead
Shows Anubis weighing heart
Shows Osirus seated
Places in wrappings of mummy and designed to help the deceased in the afterlife |
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