Introduction 1. Look through the syllabus and explain everything fully. Section for section.

Introduction into Art History What is art? -A work of art is the visual expression of an idea or experience, formed with skill through the use of medium. A medium (media) is a particular material, along with its accompanying technique. Artists select the media to suit the ideas and feelings they wish to present. (or is available to them). When a chosen medium in such a way that the object or a performance contributes to our understanding or enjoinment (is emotion anticipated??) of life, we experience the final product as art. Art as a concept morphs through time and space, especially visible in todays art scene. Art History Art History is the study of understanding and discussing art within a wider social, political, religious context. Thus, we contextualize the artwork to understand what is represents and what does it tell us regardless on the era from which it originates. In that way art is a powerful communicational vessel between generations, time and space. Art transcends boarders (geographic and timely). Art history entails methodologies which help document and understand art across time and space. We ask questions that pertain not only to the work of art but also the environment in which the artist lived. Thus, the communication between the art, artists and the beholder is multifaceted. The impact the artists environment has on him (inspiration, motivation, influence) to contemporarys viewers sensitivities, and the sensitivities that we reflect today towards the art of different eras.

Questions Art Historians ask: How old is it - Physical properties - Formal analysis - Subject matter - Documentary vidence.

Stylistic evidence Integration within cultural (space/time) context: authenticity, tradition, influence.

Basic terminology pertaining to vocabulary of formal analysis 1. Form: shape and structure either two dimensional (e.g. a figure painted on a canvas) or on three dimensional (e.g. structure carved from a marble block). The form may take same shape but differ in their color, texture, and other qualities. Line and Shape. 2. Composition: refers to how an artist organizes (composes) forms in an artwork. , either by placing shapes on a flat surface or by arranging forms in space. 3. Material and Technique . To create art form artists manipulate (shape) materials (pigment, clay, marble..) with their tools (pens brushes, etc). Sometimes the artists pioneer use of new media and tools. 4. Color Hue/Value/Saturation/ 5. Texture Quality of the surface. E.g. polished, smooth, rought, prickly, grainy, oily. Two form of the texture: a) actual texture b) implied (illusionistic) surface. 6 . Space -is what contains form. - may be actual, and three dimensional (as is with sculpture and architecture). - fictional alluding to 3-d in two-dimensional art by use of perspective. PERSPECTIVE Technique overlapping - partially covered elements are made to be seen as located behind the ones covering them) diminution - dim. of scale , successively smaller elements are seen as farther away than the ones that are larger. vertical perspective

-stacks the elements, higher ones being perceived as deeper in the space. atmospheric perspective - the objects meant to be in the distance (often I the bluish-gray hues) have less clarity than nearer objects. The sky becomes paler as it approaches the horizon. divergent (develop in a different perspective) perspective or reverse perspective - when orthogonal (imaginary lines) diverge as their recede in space intuitive perspective -opposite approach from the divergent . The forms become narrower and converge (meet) the farther they are from the viewer. linear perspective (also called scientific, mathematical, one-point) . -called scientific, mathematical, one-point and Renaissance perspective. -developed in 15th c. Italy. -uses mathematical formulas to construct images in which all elements are shaped by arranged along orthogonals that converge in one or more vanishing points on a horizon line.

1. Content - subject matter - non-recognizable subject matter, but all works of art with or without recognizable subject matter have: content or meaning to communicate or provoke ideas, convey feelings. - May be: religious, political. Social, economic. - We read the intention of the artist and the reception by the viewer, are they the same thing? - Art historical interpretation is also different. - Iconography- the writing of images identification of the symbols and images. 2. STYLE (combination of form and composition) period style - refers to common traits detectable in art and architectural from a specific historical era. Style and Period should not be used interchangeably. - Style is the sum of the of influences and characteristics, including the period of its creation. Regional Style -represents the style characteristic of the region -medieval art will differ in Spain and in Italy. Representational style Realism Naturalism, Idealization

Illusionism Abstract Styles -Nonrepresentational (or Non-objective) art -Expressionism (subjective inside-out) Linear -line is used as a primary form mean of definition. -can incorporate modeling- creating illusion of 3D substance through shading (brushstrokes not visible) Painterly style of representation in which vigorous, evident brushstrokes dominate, and outlines, shadows and highlights are brushed in freely.

3. Medium and Technique Medium (media pl.) refers to the material or materials from which the work of art is made. Technique is the process that transforms the media into the work of art. 2D: painting, drawing, prints, photography. 3D: sculpture (stone, wood, clay, metal) architecture, vessels, jewelry, (ceramics, metal or wod). Painting includes wall painting, frescos, illumination, (the decoration of the books and paintings), panel painting (painting on wood panels), painting on canvas or hand scrolls. Mosaic and stain glass may be understood as painting as well. (as long as the pigment is arranged in solid form). Graphic Arts application of lines and strokes to as 2D surface, or often paper. Drawing is a graphic art, as the various forms of printmaking. Drawings may be sketches, studies, cartoons, full-scale drawing made for works in another medium- fresco, stained glass, tapestry). Drawings may be made with ink, charcoal, crayon, or pencil. Prints can be made in multiple copies. Various forms of printmaking include: Woodcut, the intaglio processes (engraving, etching, drypoint) ad lithography. Photography (light writing) involves the rendering of optical images on light-sensitive images.

Sculpture 3D that is carved, modeled, cast, or assembled. Carved- subtracted/modeled- additive Either free-standing (surrounded by space) or pictorial relief. Ephemeral art Includes processions, ceremonies or rituals dances (with dcor, costumes or masks), earthworks, performance art, video, cinema. They all have temporal limitation, the art is viewable for a finite period of time and then it disappears forever, it is in constant change and must be replayed to be experienced again. Architecture creates enclosure for human activity or habitation. Several types of schematic drawings are commonly used to enable the visualization of a building. Plans depicts structures masses and voids, presenting a view from above of the buildings footprint OR as if it was sliced horizontally at about waist high. Sections reveal interior of a building from to bottom- vertically. Isometric Drawings Birds eye view- reveals the basic 3D form Worms eye view- to represent the arrangement of the interior spaces