Group 5 Stacy Westlund Stephen Woodward Stacy Seabright Brittney Via Elizabeth Shipp Grant Willhite Kalia Smith

Title: TRAVELERS AMONG MOUNTAINS AND STREAMS Material: Hanging Scroll, ink and colors on silk. Date: 11 th Century Artist: FUK KUAN Time Period: Northern Song Dynasty Location: National Palace Museum Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China. Source: Textbook; Marilyn Stokstad; Art History The initial feeling of infinity I received from my first viewing of this painting threw the ideals behind gravity right out the window. Based upon the observation that the artist probably grew up in the Northern Song Dynasty and probably worshipped in the art of Buddhism, it could be safe to state that the artist had a divine tone of an ultimate tranquility which he so elaborately expressed within this painting. His god shines in the lines drawn and sleeps within the artist’s usage of space in the infinite sky behind the disappearing mountain. The utter aesthetic presence of people within this paradoxical illusion signifies the trip of life and the breakdown of the material world in order to understand that even the power of a mountain is nothing in the wake of infinity. The most prevalent observation may be how the artist incorporated the background color of the silk into the painting itself. Chosen by: Stephen Woodward

Title: DEATH OF SARPEDON Date: 515 BCE Artist: Painter- Euphronios/ Potter- Euxitheos Period: Early Greek Location: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, lent by the Republic of Italy Source:. Page 127 of Art History Volume 1, Third edition By: Marilyn Stokstad This artwork is significant because it depicts Sarpedon, a son of Zeus, being carried off the battlefield, killed by a Greek warrior while fighting for the Trojans. Sarpedon is being carried by Hypnos (Sleep) and Thanatos (Death). The potter used red-figure technique when creating this krater, opposed to traditional (at the time) black- figure. The handles curve upward, which is unique, they are shaped like the leaves on a flower; this technique is called calyx krater. The painter showed an early use of personification by using the characters Sleep and Death, giving them human qualities like carrying the body of Sarpedon. The painter Euphronios also created real space by using foreshortening so they appear almost three dimensional. I choose this art work because it reminds me of a wonderful summer I spent in Greece, a lot of the pottery and art work I saw there was red-figure as well as black-figure, but they both have a distinctive Greek feeling associated with them to me personally. Chosen by: Brittney Via

Title: MADONNA AND CHILD Date: 1266 – 1337 BCE Artist: Giotto di Bondone Period: Early Greek Location: The National Gallery of Art in Washington, DC Source: The National Gallery of Art website Giotto’s art was created in the early fourteenth century, but his art did not become popular for a century later. The Madonna and Child was the center part of a five- section polytych. The background of the painting utilized a conservative Byzantine-style background in a gold leaf, this is to symbolize the realm of heaven. The white rose is a symbol of Mary’s purity and also references the innocence lost trough original sin. The art introduces a new naturalistic trend in painting. The infant is based on realism verses a gesture of a philosopher. The infant Christ grasps his mother’s left index finger in a typically baby fashion. He playfully reaches for the flower her holds. I choose this portrait because I attended Catholic school as a child and the painting brought back wonderful beautiful memories. Learning about the Virgin Mary as a child always interested me, and the base of my prayers were of her Chosen by: Stacy Seabright

Title: TEMPLE PENDANT AND STICK Date: late 11th-first half of the 12th century Artist: Unknown craftsman from Constantinople Period: The Middle Byzantine Period Location: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, N.Y. Source: MetMuseum.org The gold pendant is hollow and is open at the top. Such ornaments were worn in pairs by both men and women, near the temple or cheek. The hinged loop at the top can be swung open so that the pendant could be suspended from a cap, headdress, band, or even the hair. They were probably an element of court attire. The cavity was probably meant to hold a piece of cloth soaked in aromatic oil, which would surround the wearer with perfume. The tapered stick could have been used to insert the cloth into the hollow. This type of personal ornament may have been invented in Constantinople, and this pendant may well be the oldest surviving example. The pendant and stick are decorated with very finely executed cloisonné enamels in bright colors--red, blue, and green. On the pendant a central medallion with a beardless male head, possibly an angel or Saint John, is surrounded by an intricate pattern of tiny flowers, interlocked palmettes, and multicolored patterned borders. The stick is covered with minuscule crosses. I choose this piece because I love the detail. This pendant was very small, measuring only 4.9cm. The stick was 5.1cm. The stick was believed to have been made to aid the cloth through the narrow cavity of the pendant. Chosen by: Stacy Westlund

Title: Discus Thrower (Diskobolos) Date: 450 BCE Artist: Myron Period: Early Greek Location: National Museum, Rome Source: Art History Vol. 1 Page 106 This piece of art is very important and iconic to Ancient Roman art. Myron, the artist is often credited as the first artist to be able to capture "rhythmos" which is a balance and harmony. This piece is also significant because it was originally done in bronze, which shows the growing technologies in art around this time in Greece. Many replica's exist today, including the one in the book that is currently in a museum in Rome. This also represents Greek culture, because of the competitions that were often held and the founding of the Olympics. Although this statue is very famous, it is often criticized nowadays because it is a rather ineffective way to throw this discus. Personally, I liked this piece. I think it is very interesting and detailed. The muscles are all very detailed and makes it look very realistic. Although it is not the best representation of how to throw a discus, I think its technological advances make it worthwhile to learn about. Chosen by: Elizabeth Shipp

Title: Saint Luke Date: Artist: Master Theodoric Period: Location: Source: I've chosen Master Theodoric's painting of Saint Luke to analyze. The painting is believed to be a self portrait of Theodoric himself. Above Saint Luke is a halo which signifies his holy stature in society and in God's eyes. Also he has a baby ox above his shoulder which is a symbol typically associated with a Saint. An interesting factor about this picture is that it is one of the very few pictures of the time that had the character staring into the views space. This, of course, adds a very interesting and unique side to the painting. The painting is currently located in a church in Prague. Chosen by: Grant Willhite

Title: Virgin and Child Enthroned Date: 1280 – 1305/10 Artist: Cimabue / Giotto Di Bondone Period: Fourteenth Century Location: Church of Santa Trinita / Church of the Oginissanti Source: Art History Vol. 1 Page 562 Originally created in 1280 by Cimabue for the Church of Santa Trinita, Giotto’s rendition of Virgin and Child Enthroned, repainted in for the Church of the Oginissanti shows central and overtly symmetrical compositions of the figures to reflect the original artists influence. The one difference in the newest painting of the two is Mary’s individualized actions, meaning her hand and obvious clothing or drapery differences as well as just holding her child instead of pointing his way. I believe the choice of colour and placement as well as how much detail has been placed into the newer piece is much better. More highlights and accents on the people to show them there is a light emanating from Mary herself. Chosen by: Kalia Smith