All Flashcards
What is 'Ancient America' in art historical terms?
Art from Mexico, Central America, and South America made before 1550 CE.
Define 'Syncretism' in the context of art history.
The fusion of indigenous and European cultures, resulting in unique artistic styles.
What is 'Ashlar Masonry'?
A building technique using precisely cut stones fitted together without mortar.
Define 'Pueblos'.
Adobe homes built into cliff sides, characteristic of the Anasazi culture.
What are 'Roof Combs'?
Structures built on top of Mayan pyramids to accentuate their verticality.
What was the significance of U-shaped plazas in Chavín architecture?
Elevated sites with U-shaped plans, plazas facing nature, aligned with cardinal directions or rivers.
What does the Coyolxauhqui Stone depict and what does it tell us about Aztec culture?
Depicts a human sacrifice. It illustrates the Aztec's polytheistic religion and practice of blood-letting and human sacrifice.
What is the significance of mounds in Mississippian culture?
Mounds were created for religious and ceremonial purposes, reflecting the culture's spiritual beliefs and social structure.
How did European contact influence artistic media in Native North America?
Introduction of European mediums like beads and brighter pigments. The art market was driven by European settlers and tourists.
What does the trapezoidal shape in Incan architecture symbolize or represent?
The trapezoidal shape are in buildings and pyramids.
Compare the architectural styles of the Mayan and Incan civilizations.
Mayan architecture features pyramids with roof combs and corbelled vaulting, while Incan architecture uses ashlar masonry and trapezoidal shapes.
Compare the religious practices reflected in Aztec and Mississippian art.
Aztec art reflects polytheism and human sacrifice, while Mississippian art focuses on mound building for religious and ceremonial purposes.
Compare the artistic mediums used by the Chavín and Native North American cultures.
Chavín art primarily used stone sculpture, while Native North American art varied by region but was influenced by European contact, leading to the use of beads and pigments.
Contrast the Mesa Verde Cliff Dwellings with the City of Cusco.
Mesa Verde are pueblos (adobe homes) built into cliff sides. City of Cusco was built with ashlar masonry, trapezoidal shapes in buildings and pyramids.
Compare Yaxchilán Lintel 25, Structure 23 with the Ruler's Feather Headdress.
Yaxchilán Lintel 25, Structure 23 is made of limestone and depicts narrative art. Ruler's Feather Headdress is made of feathers and gold.