Art :: essays research papers

Since the dawn of human existence and literally thousands of age before written languages developed, multitude have used their surroundings as a canvas for expression. Art has changed a great deal since it began more centuries ago. Centuries, however, be not necessary to notice the small changes that are unambiguous even between cultures of similar times. Egyptians were the first people to make a large impact on the world of art. Egyptians compulsory art for their whole toneual beliefs more than decoration or self-gratification. The most definitive aspect of Egyptian life is the ka, the part of the human spirit that lives on after death. The ka needed a physical place to occupy or it would disappear. Most of the grand men of Egypt paid to have their body carved out of stone. That was were the spirit would live after the man dies. They used stone because it was the strongest material they could find. higher status was very important. The bodies are always idealized and clo thed. Figures are very rigid, close-fisted, and are built on a vertical axis to show that the psyche is grand or intimidating. Early Greek art was greatly influenced by the Egyptians. Geography permitted both cultures to exchange their talents. The beginning of Greek art is pronounced by the Geometric contour. The most common art during the Geometric phase was vase painting. After the vase was formed but before it was painted, the artist applied a slip (dark pigment) to outside. Then the vase was fired and the artist would incise his decorations into the hard shell. It was important to incise humans into the fired slip and not paint with slip. The people in the pictures needed light colored skin, which was the color beneath the slip, because Greeks treasured to make their art as realistic as possible. Much corresponding Egyptian art, the Greeks idealized the bodies of the people in their works. As the Archaic block evolved, Greek sculptures were almost identical to the Egyptian s. Unlike Egyptians, the Greeks refined their techniques. Greeks used stain to construct their sculptures. It was considered more valuable and beautiful than any material available.Christian art was introduced during the middle of the second century. In many cases the only rest between Christian art and Hellenistic art is the religious rout matter. After a slow start the Christians introduced something new, the mosaic. Mosaics became a favorite long suit for decorating churches.