History of sculpture: Difference between revisions
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Sculptures from the Sumerian and Akkadian period generally had large, staring eyes, and long beards on the men. Votive stone sculptures of this type from 2700 BC were discovered at Tell Asmar. Many masterpieces have also been found at the Royal Cemetery at Ur (2650 BC). Among them are a wooden harp with gold and mosaic inlay with a black bearded golden bull's head. |
Sculptures from the Sumerian and Akkadian period generally had large, staring eyes, and long beards on the men. Votive stone sculptures of this type from 2700 BC were discovered at Tell Asmar. Many masterpieces have also been found at the Royal Cemetery at Ur (2650 BC). Among them are a wooden harp with gold and mosaic inlay with a black bearded golden bull's head. |
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== SCULPTURE IN BABYNIAN TIMES== |
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The history of the Babylonian period is considered to begin with the reign of Hammurabi, in 1750 BC. Hammurabi was famous for his code of law. A bearded head, made of diorite, is believed to represent Hammurabi. The head has the wide open eyes, typical of the time period. |
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Also well known is the lamassu, a human headed winged lion from 883 - 859 BC. A unique feature of this piece is that it is carved with five legs, so that it can have four legs visible if viewed from the side. The piece was excavated at Nimrud (in northern Mesopotamia), and was donated to the New York Metropolitan Museum of Art by John D. Rockefellar Jr. in 1932. |
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== Sculpture in the Renaissance== |
== Sculpture in the Renaissance== |
Revision as of 12:37, 7 October 2003
The history of sculpture is varied and is illustrative of how sculpture has changed extensively over time.
Sculpture in Ancient times
Sculpture as an art form in fact goes all the way back to Prehistoric times. Most Stone Age statuettes were made of ivory or soft stone, however some clay human and animal figures have been found. Small female statues known as "Venus" statues have been found mainly in central Europe. The Venus of Willendorf (30,000 - 25,000 BC), from the area of Willendorf, Austria, is a well known example.
Later, in the Near East, (the area between the Tigris River and the Euphrates River), the Sumerian, Akkadian and Babylonian kingdoms flourished. Materials used for sculpture during this time included basalt, diorite (a type of dark, coarse-grained stone), sandstone and alabaster. Copper, gold, silver, shells and a variety of precious stones were used for high quality sculpture and inlays. Clay was used for pottery and terra cotta sculpture. Stone was generally rare and had to be imported from other locations.
Sculptures from the Sumerian and Akkadian period generally had large, staring eyes, and long beards on the men. Votive stone sculptures of this type from 2700 BC were discovered at Tell Asmar. Many masterpieces have also been found at the Royal Cemetery at Ur (2650 BC). Among them are a wooden harp with gold and mosaic inlay with a black bearded golden bull's head.
SCULPTURE IN BABYNIAN TIMES
The history of the Babylonian period is considered to begin with the reign of Hammurabi, in 1750 BC. Hammurabi was famous for his code of law. A bearded head, made of diorite, is believed to represent Hammurabi. The head has the wide open eyes, typical of the time period.
Also well known is the lamassu, a human headed winged lion from 883 - 859 BC. A unique feature of this piece is that it is carved with five legs, so that it can have four legs visible if viewed from the side. The piece was excavated at Nimrud (in northern Mesopotamia), and was donated to the New York Metropolitan Museum of Art by John D. Rockefellar Jr. in 1932.
Sculpture in the Renaissance
Michaelangelo did a number of statues, David being the most famous. Raphael also sculpted a statue called David. Most sculptures during the Renaissance were on religious themes.
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