PART 1

ESSAY #5c

COMPARE & CONTRAST – Time Travel.

 

INSTRUCTIONS: Find and post the images of the artwork mentioned in the Topic Essay Question.

 

QUESTION: Find examples and describe the similarities and connections between Scythian, Celtic, and Viking iconography. Can you name one other example between three other distinct cultures, time periods, and geographic locations? Describe what other discoveries you made in your research.

 

Summary: Study these cultures and their iconography and base a hypothesis about the meaning behind their artwork on these studies. Not only that but clearly show representations of each cultures unique art, and how they link visually and historically together.

Reason: The reason for asking this question is to help one understand the idea of how ones culture can influence the next, and how a cultures nationalism and pride can affect their own.

Purpose: The purpose behind this question is to better help one understand how small the world really is, how different cultures affect one another without even realizing it, and how we as humans affect one another in small and large amounts.

 

Direction: Studying this topic gave me a better understanding of how small the world really is in the sense that we affect each other without even realizing it, how the beginning of a thought or the basis of an idea can be picked up by another and be embellished further upon.  An idea can go from being mediocre, based on guess work and luck, to excellent, based on study and tedious labor, simply by sticking around long enough and getting mulled over by enough of the right people. We as individuals and as a culture as a whole have a tendency to try to create and move forward. To improve on past ideas or ideals in an attempt to create a bigger, more clear picture of things, a better understanding of the world around us, and another step closer to answering the unanswerable questions.

 

Impressions:  Without differences in cultures or the different ways a cultures ideals can influence another’s, many of the advancements that have been made in our society may or may not have come to exist. One cultures way of thinking might spark a wonderful and fantastic idea in another cultures thought process, where one culture might have missed a key element in a historically influential design. Another culture may inspire the idea that will solve the problem.

PART 2

All of these cultures show an interaction in their art between men, animal, and spirit, as well as the reflections of all three in a spiritual contest combined in their artwork. The basis of one cultures belief in mythological forms and another’s, in my eyes, all come from the same source. I believe that each culture has a similar basis for their separate religions, and that is what I believe to be a strong influence in their art work.

The Scythians, a nomadic people from the Middle East, “lived in Central Asia and parts of Eastern Europe between c. 900 BCE and c. 350 CE. Related to the Persians, but mixed with Turkic Central Asians." (http://asianhistory.about.com/od/glossaryps/g/Who-Were-the-Scythians.htm) The Scythian culture is “famed as warriors, and were among the first peoples to develop horsemanship into an art form."(http://asianhistory.about.com/od/glossaryps/g/Who-Were-the-Scythians.htm) They were also know and are "famous for the incredibly beautiful gold jewelry"(http://asianhistory.about.com/od/glossaryps/g/Who-Were-the-Scythians.htm) the Scythian people "faded away around A.D. 100. The Greek historian Herodotus describes the Scythians as murderous nomads. As for how the Scythians—who did not have a written language—perceived themselves, only their artifacts and human remains are left to speak for them."(http://discovermagazine.com/2008/jul/25-frozen-siberian-mummies-reveal-a-lost-civilization#.UNJzkJG9KSM)

"The Celt, also spelled KELT, Latin CELTA, plural Celtae, a member of an early Indo-European people who from the 2nd millennium BC to the 1st century BC spread over much of Europe. The people who made up the various tribes of concern were called Galli by the Romans and 'Galatai' or 'Keltoi' by the Greeks, terms meaning 'barbarian' (Celts, Celt, Celtic civilization). It is from the Greek 'Keltoi' that 'Celt' is derived." (http://www.lost-civilizations.net/celtic-civilization.html)

"600BC - Greeks found the colony of Massilia, opening up trade between the Celts of inland Europe and the Mediterranean. First evidence of Britain having a name - Albion - (albino, white - called after the chalk-cliffs of Dover)"http://www.lost-civilizations.net/celtic-civilization.html) Dover being where the Celts organized from.

The Scythian as well as the Celts and the Viking culture who were also a warrior culture and where considered heathens. "VAE VICTUS also known as woe to the vanquished"(http://www.lost-civilizations.net/celtic-civilization.html) which I believe to be a motto fitting of their times. The Viking culture although considered barbarians they founded many civilizations all over the world. "The Viking settlers found the city of Dublin in Ireland. As wall as York in England..." There are a few more examples of this from this link (http://viking.no/e/etimeline.htm)

This brings it all together for me. The Vikings and Celts are both Anglo and Saxon. The Vikings settled all over taking their knowledge with them of such things as metal work and so on. With this the places they invaded and the knowledge that previously existed in these places created new culture and art and so much more. Vikings raided other places for precious materials such as gold and jewels, as well as anything of value.

 

 

“The Vikings inherited the earlier European Germanic interlaced and zoomorphic decorative art, but in their hands it developed into several distinct and highly complex styles. From the baroque sophistication of the Oseberg style, to the highly patterned beasts of the Mammen style and the delicacy of the Urnes style, Viking art was as complex and rich as their poetry.” (http://www.ancientworlds.net/aw/Thread/31201)

I have noticed a trend in these cultures with zoomorphic art work as well as in Egyptian and Greek artwork. For me this is mans way of showing that we are closer to nature then we think.

 

Bridle Plaque with a Beast of Prey, Scythian, 5th cent. BCE, cast bronze, 10.5 x 9.7 cm, State Hermitage Museum, St Petersburg

http://effyeaharthistory.tumblr.com/post/1442075022/bridle-plaque-with-a-beast-of-prey-scythian-5th

 

GUARDIAN FIGURES AT GATE A OF THE CITADEL OF SARGON II DURING ITS EXCAVATION Dur Sharrukin 721-706 BCE (text p42)

 

"Stone souls of Scythia"

“Save the stone women that are outside the museum collections in the "Mystetskyi Arsenal" exhibition.”

http://yushchenkoinstitute.org/en/institute/16/27/

This goes back to my statement of their art embodying the soul.

 

http://www.theapricity.com/forum/showthread.php?t=3780

 

Viking zooantropomorphic

Inuit Mythology and Northern Gods clash

http://ikono.org/2012/09/arctic-voyages-and-inuit-mythology-merge-in-contemporary-art-exhibition/

 

http://www.ancientworlds.net/aw/Thread/31201

 

 CHI RHO IOTA PAGE FROM THE BOOK OF KELLS
9th Century Oxgall inks pigment on vellum, 12 3/4 X 9 1/2" (text p424)

 

Egyptian
JUDGMENT OF HUNEFER BEFOR OSIRS
Book of the Dead 1285 BCE hight 15 5/8" (text p77)

Greek
MAN AND CENTAUR
750 BCE Bronze, hight 4 6/16" (text p105)

LAPITH FIGHTING A CENTAUR
447-432 BCE marble, hight 56" ( text p132)

 

BATLE OF CENTAURS AND WILD BEASTS HADRIAN'S VILLA
125 CE Mosaic, 23X 36" (text p200)

 

Mask of Mexico

MÁSCARA VIDA-MUERTE Tlatilco.

“An ancient zooantropomorphic ceramic represents a face, half of a living man, the other half a skull. The eye and the orbital zone are pierced. Height cm. 8.5, width. cm. 7.3. (Tlatilco, Mexico, medium Preclassico Period.) (National Museum of Anthropology of City of Mexico.) This maschera is described in the Museum as a characterization of "the dualism life and death."

http://www.enterprisemission.com/ArtTrad.html

 

Two-faced zooantropomorphic sculpture of El Juyo
height cm 35 , wide cm.32,5, thick cm.22,5.

http://www.enterprisemission.com/ArtTrad.html

PART 1

Truth and Beauty 

 

QUESTION:  Using specific art references, why did the Greeks consider “beauty” to be the same as “truth” and how different was this philosophy from that of the Romans? 

 

Summary:  The truth in “beauty is in the eyes of the beholder” is the truth of pure form and human nature completely unfiltered. 

 

Reason:  The reasoning for asking this question is to fully understand the truth within the true form and beauty in everything in life.

 

Purpose:  The purpose of this question to better understand the Greek philosophy that there is beauty in truth, as well as the Romans truth in an object projected as it is unchanged.

 

Direction:  Studying this topic in depth, I better understand the way of thinking as well as the ancient Greek arts: seeking the wisdom of truth in beauty.  I came to the realization while researching this paper that the Greek study of the form of the human body was seen as a math problem.  This led me to realize that there is beauty in math, because it never lies.  An example of this is the golden mean that is found in nearly everything in nature, and it is what I consider to be true beauty.  As for the Romans, this essay opened up a whole new world of thought for me on this subject.

 

Impressions:  My impression is that the truth in beauty can be interpreted in many ways. 

 

PART 2

Truth and beauty is based on so many different things for each person, just like the saying “beauty is in the eyes of the beholder.”  I believe this to be the same for truth: it is the belief of the beholder. I feel that truth and beauty may be subjective based on each individuals perspective of what they believe truth and beauty to be. The Greeks studied the human form as well as mathematics and philosophy.  This shows in their artwork, and is certainly found in Greek sculpture.  They “sought an ideal for representing the human body” (text p 134).  They sought truth in the human form especially in their “studying of actual human beings...to the fullest extent – selecting...human attributes they considered most desirable, such as regular facial features... The smoothness of the skin and particular body proportions, these sculptures...joined all of this into one single idea of physical perfection”(text p 134).  In reflection to this and what was previously stated about beauty being in the eyes of the beholder, as an artist, when drawing the human form I might be more prone to embellish certain attributes I find beautiful.  This wouldn’t be intentional, but more on a subconscious level.  It may be the curve of a woman's hip and how it cascades to the thigh and to the leg and ending with a pointed toe, or the abdominal muscles on a man who has abs like a “Greek god.”  It is my reflection on my own study of the human form, not unlike the Greek sculptures.  It is human nature to embellish attributes we enjoy, although keeping them close to the human study that this art is based off of.  There is still more focus on one part or the next because there is always a need for perfection especially on the attributes of the study, for what each of us as an artist enjoys from our artwork. And there is truth found in that because it is truth to one’s self as well as the art that is being created.  “Greek art and its ideal of beauty was parallel to the Greek philosophy” (text p 171).  The Greek ideal of beauty is prominent in the search for truth in beauty not only in their art but in their philosophy.  The workings of the human mind is a fascinating thing, we each as individuals create our own ideas as well as ideals.  Searching through the centuries, even in each culture, there is the idea of beauty for the individual that is a reflection of the times in which the individual lives and where they come from.  We as humans have the capability to find specific things beautiful and there is truth to ones self in what each of us finds to be true beauty.  This truth might not be the same as another's truth, but it doesn’t make it any less true.  However, society as whole might affect their judgment on beauty such as with the air-brushed magazine models of today.  This is where philosophy of the human mind comes in to play.  Even as free thinkers, our own judgment of beauty and truth are affected by the times we live in.  I believe this to be the same for the Greeks and their truth in beauty.  However, their form of beauty was closer to the truth found in the human form.  There must be a hint of the times they lived in thrown into the mix; it is found in the hair and clothing of the times, a reflection of the culture.  The truth found in the molding of the human form by ancient Greek artists defines truth in the beauty of the human form, and how the body seems as if it could take a life of its own.  However, “We all know that art is not truth. Art is a lie that makes us realize truth that is given us to understand. The artist must know the manner whereby to convince others of the truthfulness of his lies.” (From lecture notes in class).

 

Now in the case of the Romans they sought out what we might to think to be interpretation of so called flaws every blemish, pore, wrinkle, misplaced hair. Was beauty in truth found in the human form ex specially the human face which is done with such precision it makes the on looker feel as if the soul of the person who molded for that sculptor. The Roman study of the human skin and the way it really looks un like the Greeks who focused more on the chart like smooth skin quality s of the human form the Roman idea of capturing the seams of the human sol in their art is remarkable which reminds me of another art forum death masks a way of immortalizing a human being for fetcher generations to prove that they once existed. There is a need and want in humanity to leave are mark on this world and to never be forgotten I believe this to be truth for Roman art they showed every imperfection completely immortalizing the human in art although going back to my previous statement from the letter notes art is a lie we only perceive it to be truth however the truth in the beauty of the ancient Roman art is the closes truth they could reproduce of the human form witch all cultures do to the best of their ability looking back on it this to me even goes back to prehistoric  art found in caves we as humans try to the best of at ability to capture the now for a later date so others night see the glory of our youth, life on earth and moments not to be forgotten. This to me is the true beauty of art as an artist the ancient Romans captured the human form to the best of their ability s given the resources of their time not unlike cave paintings of prehistoric man, an hint Greek sculptures, death masks of the 1200's and so on even to today where we hold photos so closes to are heart we feel the need to carry them everywhere the need to hold on to the past the want to be remembered.  “Art is the desire of a man to express himself, to record the reactions of his personality to the world he lives in.” - Amy Lowell quote (http://thinkexist.com/quotation/art_is_the_desire_of_a_man_to_express_himself-to/151657.html) 

This brings me back to the first week of class where you asked us to take out the photos in are walnuts and rip them up we have a need to hold on and even though it's just a photo or a sculpture is just a sculpture we try to hold on the what we believe to truth the object we can touch or hold on to immortalize the past.  Even with the so called imperfections of the human form the Romans captured time as a complete truth there is no lies is creation there is no lie in Trans posing a projection of one’s mind in to art because we seek the beauty we wish to project. Using only the tools in witch are life time can grant we create and the creation is a great so many things. It gives us purpose, hope it is what drives us to leave are mark on the world. Here is a good example of this during Roman time “The Romans, too, thought on a large scale and never did anything by halves. Predictably, they were lovers of giant statues, and none more so than the megalomaniac Emperor Nero. He summoned the sculptor Zenodorus, who was then working on a statue of Hermes in Gaul, and ordered him to drop everything and come to Rome to start work on an enormous statue of the Emperor. When it was finished the sculpture measured 106 feet from top to toe. However, Nero's bid to create a permanent reminder of his greatness did not survive his suicide in 68 A.D. - when the statue was promptly dedicated to Apollo, chosen as a personal god by Emperor Augustus.” (http://www.korcula.net/history/mmarelic/statue.htm)

 

 

 

“The building of giant statues has a long and awe-inspiring history, leaving us with a permanent record of man's efforts to immortalize himself or to pay homage to his gods or his country in stone or metal structures.” 

http://www.korcula.net/history/mmarelic/statue.htm

 

      

“Art is the desire of a man to express himself, to record the reactions of his personality to the world he lives in.” - Amy Lowell quote (http://thinkexist.com/quotation/art_is_the_desire_of_a_man_to_express_himself-to/151657.html)

 

 

Greek Art

“The Winged Victory of Samothrace” also called “The Nike of Samothrace”
2nd Century BC
Marble Sculpture
Greek Goddess Nike
http://www.tumblr.com/tagged/Greek-art

 Greek Art

ATHANADOROS, HAGESANDROS, and POLYDOROS OF RHODES, Laocöon and his sons, from Rome, Italy, early first century A. D. Marble, approx. 7’ 10 1/2” high. Vatican Museums, Rome.http://www.tumblr.com/tagged/Greek-art

 

 

Greek Art

Belvedere Apollo

Marble

h. 2.24 m (7 ft)

Roman copy of a Greek original from the fifth century BC

Pio Clementino Museum, Vatican 

http://www.tumblr.com/tagged/Greek-art

 

Greek marble 
kaiyoungpak.tumblr.com/post/35636727755/portland-art-museum-body-beautiful-in-ancient

 

 

Greek Silenus, holding the baby Dionysus marble

http://www.flickr.com/photos/drzax/4112230594/

 

Greek, Daphne, marble

http://pinterest.com/authorartistceo/Greek-Roman-mythology/

 

 

 

The Colossus of Rhodes soared 105 feet and stood guard in the harbor of the Greek island of Rhodes. It was justifiably classed as one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.

http://www.u4mix.com/world/colossus-rhodes/

 

“Work on the great bronze statue, by the sculptor Chares, a pupil of Lysippus, was begun in 292 B.C. and this unmistakable landmark and guide to shipping took more than 12 years to complete. But, tragically, its very size turned out to be its downfall. The island of Rhodes was ravaged by an earthquake in 224 B.C. and the huge statue toppled and was smashed to pieces. The massive fragments lay where they had fallen for almost 900 years until, in 672 A.D. when the chunks of bronze were finally sold for scrap and were carted away by the buyers to be melted down.”

http://www.korcula.net/history/mmarelic/statue.htm

 

 

Greek 1650-1450 BCE. Gold, height 4 1/2” (text p 90)

 

Greek 480 BCE. Marble, height 3'10” (text p 121)

 


 

Roman copy after the original bronze of c. 220 BCE Marble, height 36 1/2” (text p 151)

 

 

Roman copy 1st century CE marble, height 49 1/2” (text p 156)

 

Roman 80 BCE marble, life size (text p 171)

 

 

Roman 90CE marble, height 25” (text p 190)

 

Roman Late 1st century CE. Marble, height 9 1/2” (text p191)

 

Roman 176 CE Bronze, originally gilded, height of statue 11'6' (text p201)

 

 

Roman Early 3rd century CE Marble height 14 1/2” (text p204)

 


 

Death mask's made from plaster. 

 

http://davidderrick.files.wordpress.com/2012/10/caligula.jpg

 

 

 

 President William McKinley's death mask, their are coppuy rights to this mask so here is a link for it.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/dcplcommons/3360757846/

 

James Joyce's Death Mask

http://www.themodernword.com/joyce/jj_mask.html

 

 

 

http://gatheringmosswhilewandering.com/2011/10/27/death-or-life-masks/