ancientartblog

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Hagia Sophia

The Hagia Sophia was built in the 6th century in Constantinople (now Istanbul) in the Byzantine Empire. This building has survived many transfers of power and renovations, being a cathedral, then a mosque, and now a museum. This is a marvel of architecture with many domes and arches that have withstood earthquakes and bombings. This partly contributes to why it is described as being “built by angels”.

My favorite part of this site is the fact that it contains so much rich history for everyone to explore and love! Think of all the things this building has seen!!! If only walls could talk...

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Mamluk Glass Oil Lamp

This lamp was found in Cairo, Egypt, and was made in 1350 CE. It is gilded with gold and enameled with paint. This lamp was made in the Mamluk empire and hung from the ceiling of a mosque.

What I find most impressive about this artwork is the fact that it was extremely hard to make because the paint needed specific temperatures for each color to bond properly. Also it’s pretty. I like pretty things.

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Old St. Peter’s Basilica

This building is a masterpiece of early christian architecture, even if it doesn’t survive today. It was built to be shaped like a cross and was commissioned by emperor Constantine in the 4th century. Inside is a beautiful mosaic of Constantine presenting the Basilica to St. Peter for his approval. 

While the original was torn down and rebuilt in the 16th century, we still have the detailed recreations and models like this one here to view. I wish we had more, but we can only work with what we have. Personally, my favorite part about this work of art is the atrium called Paradise which would have been filled with fountains and a garden.

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Augustus of Primaporta

This piece was sculpted in the early 1st century, depicting the Roman emperor Augustus. It predominantly features a little cupid on a dolphin at the base, which is my favorite part. Augustus is depicted as perfect in his body and facial features, young and strong. His outstretched hand also gives a commanding air as he seems to be addressing his troops.

Personally I really like this artwork because of the attention to detail on his clothing and the reaching arm makes it seem more life like. But baby cupid is my favorite. His little face and wings. The dolphin he is riding on is also very good. 

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Apoxyomenos

This sculpture, “Man Scraping Himself”, was made by Lysippos in Ancient Greece in 350 BC. Lysippos was the court sculptor for Alexander the Great and is known for introducing slightly exaggerated proportions of men. He makes the legs slightly longer and slimmer, and the torso shorter. This particular sculpture depicts an athlete post exercise who is cleaning the sweat, mud and oil off of his body with a scraper called a strigil.

I love this mostly because it gives historians an insight as to how athletes acted during and after competitions, like the Olympic games. You can’t see it in this example, but athletes would often tie their foreskins shut with a string to keep their penises clean. It was necessary to be naked because of the quality of fabric during the time being inadequate for physical exertion. 

The main thing that drew me to this particular artwork, however, is the fact that it connects directly to one of my favorite youtube videos: “The Try Guys Try the Ancient Olympics”.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e_CTxlsCL7E

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Porch of the Maidens

This inaccessible porch is part of a larger temple complex in Athens, Greece, commonly known as the Acropolis. These columns made of women, called caryatids, were estimated to be sculpted in 421-405 BCE. Miraculously, when the temple was destroyed during various wars, the Porch of Maidens was the only part that survived. It was designed to distribute the weight of the roof with the alternating contrapposto of the two center women, which is a brilliant architectural idea.

Scholars used to think that they were a depiction of enslaved women captured from other places, but now people are starting to believe that these were women holding offerings and dedicated to religion. It is also thought that they represent virgins ready to be married, based on their hairstyles and provocative pose. They have one thigh jutting out of a slit in their peplos, and they are standing with their breasts thrust forward. This is further supported by the isolation and inaccessibility of their porch, representing their protected virginity.

I really like this piece because it showcases women in a powerful stance, something that most artworks don’t do during this time period. Women were underrepresented in greek “study of the human form” sculptures, which is very unfair as they are 50% of humanity. This porch shows that not only goddesses get to be depicted, but average women. 

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Peplos Kore

This Kore was made in the 6th century BCE in archaic Greece. Kore were funerary or worship statues that were life sized and presented offerings to the gods. They were often dressed in a garment called a peplos, where this statue got their name from. These are both replicas of the original statue, but the one on the right has been restored to its (theoretical) original appearance.

I find this interesting about ancient Greek sculptures, no one thinks of them as being brightly painted, but as solid stone white. This presents the statues as something stoic and trapped in time. To truly appreciate the art I think that it has to be imagined as the artist intended.

From an archaeological standpoint, the recreation of context is important for analyzing the culture and site that this statue was found in. Without being able to know and see it painted and whole a scholar would not be able to fully identify its intended purpose. 

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The Ishtar Gate

The Ishtar Gate was built by King Nebuchadnezzar II in 575 BCE. This particular gate was part of a larger series of 8 that was the Processional Way in Babylon. It was excavated in 1902 and reconstructed in a German museum.

King Nebuchadnezzar II left a plaque on the gate that instructed it’s purpose and legacy. The deep blue walls are filled with depictions of lions, dragons, and bulls. These represented different gods, in which an annual parade was held in their honor here.

While the full gate isn’t able to be reconstructed in the German museum because of size restrictions, it’s amazing that historians and archaeologists have what they have. This site was destroyed in wars between the USA and ISIS, and both sides are to blame for this tragic loss of history. 

I like this piece of architecture because of how self aware King Nebuchadnezzar II was of his own insignificance in history. That’s rare in ancient societies. His dedication plaque reads almost like the plaque of a modern conservator. He says who he is, how the roads were in disrepair so he made them better, the materials he used and what they were meant to depict.

This information is extremely important for archaeologists and conservators trying to preserve this artwork. It provides so much historical context for archaeologists to study. As an archaeology major it makes me amazingly excited to know that something like this is out there for research.

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Indus Valley Seals

The Indus Valley Civilization is a mystery to archaeologists and scholars. No-one has been able to decipher their writing, and there is no Rosetta Stone for this language yet discovered. One trait of this civilization we can be sure of , however, is trade. We know the Indus Valley peoples traded long distances as these seals have been found in Mesopotamia, Arabia, and into Central Asia. The seals would have been pressed into clay or wax to make their impression and seal whatever had to be, perhaps letters or packages.

In the upper seal, the portrayal of the body is something different that hasn’t been seen much in other civilizations, especially the meditative position. What scholars have been able to deduce about Indus Valley culture is that they were mostly peaceful and had advanced technology. In one unearthed city, Harappa, archaeologists found remnants of a drainage system, multiple water holding pools, advanced knowledge of mud brick construction, and maybe even a primitive air conditioning system that channels the wind.

The thing about these that intrigue me the most are the mystery behind them. No one knows for sure what they were used for or what they mean, because we can’t read the writing. However, we can still tell so much about their culture and ideals based on what they choose to represent themselves as to foreign lands.

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Terracotta Army

The Terracotta Army was built to protect the tomb of emperor Shi Huangdi, founder of the Qin Dynasty. They were discovered in the 1970′s by a Chinese farmer digging a well. All of these soldiers are hand sculpted out of terracotta clay, and as such each one is individualized and life size. Archaeologists even think they might represent specific people. Their different hairstyles represent different ranks as well.

I love this discovery, especially as there’s more to discover, Shi Huangdi’s burial chamber hasn’t even been found yet. Among the maze of thousands of soldiers and extensive military complex for the afterlife, the chamber was well hidden from looters.

But the soldiers in particular are what interest scholars, as it must have taken many artists to complete them and even more years in which to do so. The public is interested as well, since the site is open to tourists while archaeologists continue to dig. It’s easy to understand why! Even as a little kid I was fascinated by this army as they uncovered it. I still think it’s pretty cool!!!

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Bust of Queen Nefertiti

This bust of queen Nefertiti dates to 1353-1335 BCE and was sculpted by Tuthmose. It was discovered in his workshop in Amarna, Egypt. This figure is obviously Nefertiti because of her distinctive crown. It was carved by King Akhenaten’s chief sculptor (Tuthmose) out of limestone, then painted, and quartz eyes added last. 

The rule of Akhenaten brought swift and extreme change to Egypt, both in government and religion. Akhenaten chose to focus on one singular god instead of many, and centralized himself as the leader of the church instead of the priesthood. This also brought a change in art, as you can see that this bust of his Queen is more realistic than conventional ancient Egyptian art.

Personally, this piece of art is one of my favorites. I love the beauty aesthetic in Nefertiti’s makeup and style. I really love makeup and I think it’s interesting to see more of a realistic portrayal of ancient Egyptian eyeliner and lip coloring. She is truly an icon, and this art shows it! What a literal Queen.

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Standing Hippopotamus

Nicknamed William, this Hippo dates from 1981-1885 BCE. He was discovered in the burial tomb of Senbi, in Meir, Egypt. Currently residing in the Metropolitan Museum in New York, three of his legs have had to be restored. It’s not known if they were broken intentionally or on accident. William is painted blue with opening and closing lotus flowers outlined in black all over his body.

William is surrounded by controversial opinions of his purpose. While the hippopotamus is a very dangerous animal in Egypt, and is usually portrayed as such, William appears very cute. He’s blue with lotus flowers, representing the Nile and rebirth. But, there is a conflicting theory as to why his legs have been broken. Historians think that they were removed to protect the deceased from this dangerous creature. In ancient Egypt, hippos were destructive and feared, they could wipe out small fishing boats and they have powerfully strong jaws.

In terms of art history, these are very important questions regarding his portrayal and purpose in the tomb of Senbi. Personally, I’ve fallen in love with William, both because of the mystery surrounding him and just how freaking adorable he is. I mean, what a cutie! How can you not love him!

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The Silver Lyre of Ur

The Silver Lyre is part of a series of four lyres found in an ancient Sumerian burial pit. Leonard Woolley, who discovered the lyres in 1929, documented and preserved this fragile lyre, as the original wood had decayed. Now supported by plaster, it is coated in a silver exterior and inlaid with precious stones such as lapis luzuli and red limestone. Uniquely, this is the only one of the four lyres whose bull head does not have a beard. 

Ancient Sumer was in Mesopotamia, now modern day Iraq. The burial pit where the lyres were found is next to one of the ziggurats, man made plateaus that served as temples. There were many other lustrous artifacts recovered, suggesting the deceased was of great importance. It’s estimated date is between 2600-2300 BCE.

On the side of the lyre, there are depictions of lions hunting gazelle and deer. Since it was recovered near a female body, it is assumed that she was the musician of this instrument. As far as instruments go, this lyre is pretty sophisticated, complete with silver tuning pegs, and a replica has been produced for musical study and playing.

Personally, this artifact means a lot to me as a musician, as it gives us the ability to study historic music that hasn’t been heard for centuries. This is a way to truly connect to the people of the past, and one of the things I’m considering studying in the future. Another thing that I love is the way that the lyre was preserved by Woolley. He added just enough for stability, but didn’t encroach on the natural preserved beauty of the burial lyre.

I also find it interesting that the musician was most likely a woman. These beginning civilizations in the transition from a hunter gatherer society still had a relative equality when it came to the arts and music. It hadn’t yet been tainted by the patriarchy.

Anyways, the Silver Lyre is currently on display the the Penn Museum in Philadelphia, PA, USA, and I hope I will be able to see it someday.

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Silver inlaid bronze sword, Han Dynasty China, 206 BC -220AD

from Timeline Auctions

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Dancer-musician Figural Whistle

Date: 600-800

Origin: Guatemala, Highlands

Provenience unknown, possibly looted

Maya dancer-musician flute figure, Late Classic period, playing a flattened drum held against his left shoulder. He is wearing loin-cloth with incised sash, leg bands, rope work necklace with ferocious avial projecting across his shoulder, and crested and plumed headdress. There are remains of blue and red pigment.

Gardiner Museum

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Woman of Willendorf

This little four inch figurine is known as the Woman of Willendorf, or sometimes the Venus of Willendorf. The second isn’t a fitting name; as she was carved thousands of years before the Greek civilization existed. Estimated to be made between 28,000 and 25,000 BCE (Before Common Era), she was discovered in 1908 in Austria and is still on display there in Vienna. This woman was carved out of limestone and painted with a red ochre, which has since faded to a dull brown.

The first thing most people notice about this figure is the accentuated breasts and stomach. Her arms are significantly smaller and rest atop the enlarged breasts, emphasizing them even more. Oddly, she has neither feet nor a face, yet the top half of her head is full of ridges that resemble hair.

Scholars have speculated that the reason for the emphasis on her breasts and belly are because this figurine represented fertility and childbirth. The small size also makes it easy to hold in a hand, making the figurine portable for the hunter and gatherer lifestyle. In addition to this, the absence of feet also supports the theory that it was held, as it cannot stand on its own.

Recently, new theories have emerged that this figure was not made by a man, as previously thought, but was in fact a self portrait of a pregnant woman. This would help explain the odd proportions, as she would have a very different view of her body than other people, and it also explains the lack of feet, as she would not be able to see them over her belly.

My personal opinion of this artifact is that it was held during childbirth after being carved by the pregnant woman. I also believe that the red ochre it was coated in could be symbolic of menstrual blood; a sign of fertility. Of course, it’s impossible to truly know what the purpose of this artifact was, as it was made pre-written records, but there is still a lot to learn from it.