the Human Figure in Western art part1

One of the earliest artefacts of human representation is a small sculpture of what looks like a pregnant woman. She has been stated that she could represent a goddess of fertility

What is the name of this artefact?

Discobolis is the name of this ancient greek sculture.

It represents the gender stereotype of males by

• athleticism, power, dynamism

• nudity, athleticism, strength and power

• religion, athleticism, power,

This sculpture of a female, Juno is clothed.

In terms of gender representation, what attributes do women represent in sculpture?

• gracefulness (shown through the pose of the body), beauty, sensuality and nurturing

• gracefulness (shown through the folds of the fabric,) beauty, sensuality and nurturing

• gracefulness (shown through the folds of the fabric,) beauty, and nurturing

• gracefulness (shown through the pose of the body), beauty, and nurturing

Nudity or partial nudity was acceptable in Greek and Roman society. What brought that to an end?

• climate change?

• the conversion of the Roman emperor, Constantine to Christianity?

• Christian, medieval and Byzantine periods

In Early Christian art, what are the distinguishing characteristics?

• elongation, no nudity, use of gold to represent the power and glory of God, use of mosaics

• stylised figures, elongation, carved in semi-relief, no nudity

• stylised figures, elongation, carved in semi-relief, no nudity, only religious people from the Bible

• stylised figures, elongation, carved in semi-relief, no nudity, only religious people from the Bible, use of gold to represent the power and glory of God, use of mosaics

Giotto is seen as the artist who led to the beginning of the Renaissance period.

What features in his work indicate this?

• attempt to create depth in space, individualisation of people, fresco technique, range of colour

• developed perspective, individualisation of people, oil painting technique, range of colour, non-religious theme

Who is the artist?

Name of artwork?

Significance to art history?

Compare the painting by Giotto and the painting in the title of this quiz.

Looking at the composition of the works, how are they different?

Outline how the human figure has been represented in Western art from pre-historic up to the Renaissance.