Historical Arts and Architecture: Ancient Art

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Ancient Art - A Query

Printed From: History Community ~ All Empires
Category: General History
Forum Name: Historical Arts and Architecture
Forum Discription: Discuss arts, literature, and architecture before the 19th century
URL: http://www.allempires.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=12666
Printed Date: 14-May-2024 at 17:40
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Topic: Ancient Art - A Query

Posted By: YusakuJon3
Subject: Ancient Art - A Query
Date Posted: 12-Jun-2006 at 20:17

Just about the only art that I know of from Hellenic times has been either preserved on pottery or as sculture. The Romans later used the technique of designing mosaics, from which we get the famous depiction of Alexander's battle against the Persian army that was preserved in the ruins of Pompeii for so long. But sources that I've read refer to that mosaic as being based upon an original artwork designed by a Greek artist contemporary to the conqueror. That work is long gone, of course, but has there been any further evidence of similar artwork being in the historical record?

It would be a great irony if somewhere out there, a lost painting was lying undiscovered in a tomb or cave. I think that art can tell much about an event or personality of the times and see no reason why ancient peoples wouldn't have used a sheet of linen or papyrus to illustrate a scene from their history as we do with paper today.

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"There you go again!"

-- President Ronald W. Reagan (directed towards reporters at a White House press conference, mid-1980s)

Replies:

Posted By: Cryptic
Date Posted: 03-Aug-2006 at 10:39

Originally posted by YusakuJon3

I think that art can tell much about an event or personality of the times and see no reason why ancient peoples wouldn't have used a sheet of linen or papyrus to illustrate a scene from their history as we do with paper today.

One factor might be the availability of papyrus. Not only was papyrus limited to certain areas, but it needed a very dry climate to be preserved. Though the Helenic world is not a rainforest, it is wetter than Egypt. Vellum is very costly to produce and The West didnot seem to place much emphasis on paper development. (Unlike Asia in which paper making was (is) valued as a cultural art)

For some reason, drawing and painting didnot mirror sculpture development in the West. Accurate perspetive in Sculpture was developed by the Hellenic Greeks, but accurate perspective in painting waited until the Rennasiance.

Other factors might include a very limited selection of colors. Advanced natural pigments were not developed until the Middle Ages and chemically enhanced pigments were not available until the rennasiance.

Posted By: The_Jackal_God
Date Posted: 13-Dec-2006 at 14:58

sculpture, pottery, and last but not least, architecture.

Posted By: red clay
Date Posted: 30-Dec-2006 at 18:20

Originally posted by Cryptic

�

One factor might be the availability of papyrus.��Not only was papyrus limited to certain areas, but it needed a very�dry climate to be preserved.� Though the Helenic world is�not a rainforest, it is wetter than Egypt.� Vellum is very costly to produce and The West didnot seem to place much emphasis on paper development. (Unlike Asia�in which paper making�was (is) valued as a cultural art)�

�

For some reason, drawing and painting didnot mirror sculpture development in the West.� Accurate perspetive in Sculpture was developed by the Hellenic Greeks, but accurate�perspective in painting waited until the Rennasiance.

�

Other factors might include�a very limited selection of colors.�� Advanced natural pigments were not developed until the Middle Ages and chemically enhanced pigments were not available until the rennasiance.

Advanced natural pigments, or better stated, more complex formulations, were in existance as early as the minoans. Fresco was the medium most commonly used.

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"Arguing with someone who hates you or your ideas, is like playing chess with a pigeon. No matter what move you make, your opponent will walk all over the board and scramble the pieces".
Unknown.