History of Art through the Middle Ages Week 4 discussion

Question 1: Monumental Architecture and Sculpture

The cultures we studied this week produced architecture, earthworks, and monumental sculpture, in addition to smaller works of art. Using your course textbook locate three examples of architecture, earthworks or monumental sculpture from three different cultures listed here: Islamic, Chinese, Japanese, or the Americas.

First, completely identify each structure or sculpture you would like to discuss by listing its name, date, and location.

In a minimum of 3 well-developed paragraphs address the following questions:

1. Who created each work of architecture or sculpture? Who commissioned its creation?


2. What historical events or social or cultural influences affected the creation of each work?


3. How do the visual characteristics of each work contribute to or enhance its message or meaning?

Be sure to explain your ideas clearly and support them by discussing specific details about each work of architecture or monumental sculpture.

Question 2: The Function of Art Objects

Some of the art objects created by the cultures surveyed this week served functional roles in their society. Using your course textbook locate three such objects, one each from the following: Islamic, Asian (Chinese or Japanese), and African.

First, completely identify each object you would like to discuss by listing its name, date, and location.

In a minimum of 2 well-developed paragraphs discuss:

1. What was the function of each object at the time of its creation?


2. What historical events or social or cultural influences affected the creation of each work?


3. How do the visual characteristics of each object contribute to or enhance our understanding of its meaning?

Be sure to explain your ideas clearly and support them by discussing specific details about each work.

Respond to both questions as thoroughly as possible, making sure to use information from the readings and the lectures and completed in a minimum of 5 paragraphs. All responses should be in complete sentence form, using proper spelling and grammar.