Lesson-7 Art-In-Early-Civilizations

UNIT II: WESTERN ART HISTORY
LESSON 7: ART IN EARLY CIVILIZATIONS
Stone Stage is a term used to describe a period of history when stones were used to make tools
for survival. The term” conjures an image of men and women dressed in skins, huddling before a
fire in a cave”. Through prehistoric humans would not necessarily possess the complex rational
capabilities to tell their story through written records and accounts, some artifacts in the form of
cave paintings and sculptures would serve as the “storytellers”.
The unearthing of archaeological Artifacts and remains provides modern society a glimpse of the
beliefs, practices, and activities of early civilization. Nevertheless, the early people produced such
materials that reflects their attitudes and beliefs system on spiritual, social, political, and economic
matters.
PREHISTORIC ART
Archaeological explorations reveal that there has been a gradual shift from a nomadic lifestyle of
early humans to that of permanent settlements, paving the way for the rise of early civilizations.
The stone age has witnessed how humans were able to lead more stable lives and eventually
come up with permanent shelters and tools for survival. Central to the representation of early
civilizations would be the establishing of possible linkages among art, religion, and life.
Palaeolithic art is a product of climate change. As the climate change got colder, part of the early
humans instinct is to look for shelters that would provide them with warmth. Caves become
protective havens for the early humans and these caves paved the way for the birth of their first
attempts to create art. Cave painting can be traced back to Lascaux, France and its discovery
came as a surprise. Two boys chased after their dog into a hole where their ball got stuck in. When
they followed the dog, they were astonished to discover a cave with beautiful paintings. The cave
paintings would eventually be called the “ Halls of Bulls”.
Figure 1. Hall of Bulls in a cave in

Lascaux,France
Most of these works were discovered inside the deep

recesses of caves so they may not necessarily be used as decorative items. In addition, some of
the works found reflected some of the early beliefs of humans especially with life and fertility. One
of the works that reflected such beliefs would be a sculpture called the “ Venus of Willendorf’. This
figure is a highly abstracted woman from highlighted body parts associated with fertility. Figure 2
shows that the woman has oversized breasts, enlarged hips, and round abomen. The
representation may show the importance of taking care of these body parts for procreation and
consequently the survival of species.
Figure 2: Venus of Willendorf
Neolithic Art has developed especially when life for the early humans has become more stable.
They have learned to cultivate the land and domesticate animals. By 4000 BCE, there were
several monumental and architectural structures erected. One of them is the Stonehenge located
in the southern England. The purpose of this fascinating edifice remains a mystery up to this day
and age. Some regard it is a temple while others see it as cpmplex calendar the tracked the
movements of both the sun and moon.
Figure 3: Stonehenge
As the Neolithic Period drew to a close, it was evident that different elements of civilizations
flourished in various parts of the world. It is also notable that most early civilizations emerged and
flourished in river valleys: the Nile in Egypt, Indus in India, Tigris and Euphrates in Mesopotamia,
and Huang Hoe River in China.
EGYPTIAN ART
The fertile ribbon starts from the banks of the nile river, which flows north to africa and ventures
into the Mediterranean. It is in this very ribbon where early Egyptians recognized the integral role
of the Nile river to their daily lives. The Egyptian civilization can be divided into three periods: Old,
middle, and new kingdom. Looking at three periods, it can be noticed that fot the Egyptians, art
should be something religious and spiritual.
During the old kingdom, it was evident that religion was bound to the afterlife. A concrete
manifestation of this would have to be erection of tombs. They decorated the tombs with everyday
objects that would reflect day to day activities as if the afterlife is a mere continuation of what
transpired on earth. The human figures seen in the tombs were represented in such a way that the
profile of the head was evident, while the pelvis, legs, and upper torso were prominent and the
eyes are in frontal view.
One of the cosmetic palettes found in Egypt was called the Narmer Pallete. It was a pallete that
utilized and applied dark colors around king Narmers eyes. The pallete was also a symbols that
commemorates the unification of upper and lower Egypt.
Figure 4: Narmer Palette
During the old kingdom, one of the

architectural wonders was also constructed. The pyramids in Giza served as tombs since their
main purpose was to provide a resting place for the pharaohs. These pyramids are massive in size
and were constructed using roughly more than million limestone blocks.
Figure 5: The Great Pyramid of Giza
One of the key features of the Middle Kingdom is a shift in the political hierarchy. There is an
emergence of powerful groups of landlords that threatened the authority and the rule of the
pharaoh. Egypt was not immune from foreign invaders and eventually fell into the hands of the
Hyksos. The art of the kingdom had references from both of the preceding kingdoms. After the
new kingdom, Egypt witnessed the Amarna Revolution led by king Akhenaton and Queen Nefertiti.
He moved the capital to Tel-El-Amarna, thus the name Amarna.
The bust of Queen Nefertiti (figure 6) has a long and sensuous neck. The figure as enhanced by
applying paint to the limestone.
Figure 6: Queen Nefertiti

The use of naturalism in artworks was rather short-lived. When King Akhenaton died, his
successors returned to the more rigid and conventional styles they employed during the period of
the kingdoms. Probably one of the greatest discoveries from the Egyptian civilizations was the
tomb of Tutankhamen. He became at a very young age and died at the age of eighteen. Howard
Carter discovered his tomb in 1922. They were astonished to find gold artworks and the coffin was
made out of solid gold. The body of the young king was covered in linen and a gold mask covered
his face.
Figure 7: King Tutankhamen
Submitted by:
Tacano, Delmar C.
Suganob, April Anne R.
Dela pena, Mary Grace
Lumandez, Melvie Pilar
Butiong, Regine

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UNIT II: WESTERN ART HISTORY

LESSON 7: ART IN EARLY CIVILIZATIONS

Figure 1. Hall of Bulls in a cave in

Most of these works were discovered inside the deep

Figure 4: Narmer Palette

During the old kingdom, one of the

Figure 5: The Great Pyramid of Giza

Figure 6: Queen Nefertiti

Figure 7: King Tutankhamen

Suganob, April Anne R.

Dela pena, Mary Grace

Lumandez, Melvie Pilar

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