Term
|
Definition
Stonehenge. Wiltshire, UK. Neolithic Europe. c. 2500-900 B.C.E. Ceramic.
Function: was the center of ceremonies concerning death and burial
Iconography: Scholars say stonehenge represents an "ancient observatory." |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Anavysos Kouros. Archaic Greek. c. 530 B.C.E. Marble with remnants of paint.
Function: grave marker and served as religious offerings
Iconography: represents the god Apollo and/or an ideal warrior |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Sarcophagus of the Spouses. Etruscan. c. 520 B.C.E. Terra cotta.
Function: uncertain, but a sarcophagus originally would contain the ashes of the deceased
Iconography: portrays the funeral customs of Etruscan society |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Annunciation Triptych (Merode Altarpiece). Workshop of Robert Campin. 1427-1432 C.E. Oil on wood. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Liberty Leading the People. Eugene Delacroix. 1830 C.E. Oil on canvas.
Function: to commemorate the July Revolution of 1830
Iconography: the woman symbolizes the Revolution's value of liberty, equality, & fraternity |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
The Valley of Mexico from the Hillside of Santa Isabel (El Valle de Mexico desde el Cerro de Santa Isabel). Jose Maria Velasco. 1882 C.E. Oil on canvas.
Function: to document & commemorate Mexico and its history
Iconography: represents an important period in the development of Mexico's national identity and an important chapter in the history of Mexican art |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Les Demoiselles d'Avignon. Pablo Piscasso. 1907 C.E. Oil on canvas.
Function: challenges the expectations that paintings will offer idealized representations of female beauty
Iconography: striation on the female figures represents scarification |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Aka Elephant Mask. Bamileke (Cameroon, western grassfields region). c. 19th to 20th century C.E. Wood, woven raffia, cloth, and beads.
Function: worn by the members of the Elephant society during ceremonies
Iconography: the leopard & elephant are symbols of the king's power |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Borobudur Temple. Central Java, Indonesia. Sailendra Dynasty. c. 750-842 C.E. Volcanic-stone masonry.
Function: built as a monument to the Buddha
Iconography: devotees circumambulate along walkways that gradually ascend to its upper-most level symbolic of Buddha cosmology |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Electronic Superhighway. Nam June Paik. 1995 C.E. Mixed-media installation (49-channel closedcircuit video installation, neon, steel, and electronic components).
Function: monumental record of the physical & cultural outline of America
Iconography: neon light suggests that electronic communication unifies us |
|
|
