WESTERN ART HISTORY (Theory)

Paper Code: 
25VHA123
Credits: 
5
Contact Hours: 
75.00
Max. Marks: 
100.00
Objective: 

The course will enable the students to develop an understanding of the historical origins of Western art history and analyze, interpret and evaluate the form and content of works of Western artists.

 

Course Outcomes: 

Course

Course Outcomes

Learning and teaching strategies

Assessment Strategies

Course Code

Course Title

25VHA123

 

 

Western Art History (Theory)

 

 

CO13: Explain different periods and styles of Egyptian Art, considering reliefs, pyramids, The Great Sphinx of Giza, and Pyramids, Tombs, Temple and Portraitures.

 

CO14: Specify archaic period of Greek Art and determine its development from the Geometric and Proto Geometric periods, Black figure and red figure vases Kouros and Kore sculptures.

 

CO15:  Discuss and appraise the distinctive features of classical Greek architecture, painting, sculpture Kritios Boy and Sculptor Policlitus.

 

CO16: Develop comprehensive understanding of Hellenistic sculptors and sculptures.

 

CO17:  Summarise and appraise Roman architecture, sculpture, painting and dicsuss early Christian Art mosaics, Illustration, sculptures. catacombs.

 

CO18: Contribute effectively in course-specific interaction.

Approach in teaching:

Interactive Lectures, Discussion, Tutorials, Reading assignments, Demonstration of writing and visualizing.

 

Learning activities for the students:

Self-learning assignments, Effective questions, presentation, Giving writing tasks.

Continuous Assessment Test, Semester end examination, Quiz, Solving Problems in Tutorials, Assignments, Presentation, Individual And Group Projects      

 

 

 

15.00
Unit I: 
Egyptian Art

Egyptian Art: Introduction (Old, Middle and New)

Relief- Hierakonpolis, Pallate of King Narmer

The Great Pyramids, The Great Sphinx of Giza, and The Smaller Pyramids and Tombs of Ancient Egypt, Temple of Hatshipsut

Portraitures

 

 

15.00
Unit II: 
Greek Art: Archaic Period

Greek Art: Ancient Greek pottery: Geometric and Proto Geometric pottery Archaic Period: Black figure and red figure vases Sculptures (Kouros and Kore)

15.00
Unit III: 
Greek Art: Classical Period

Greek Art: Classical Period Architecture (Orders- Doric, Ionic and Corinthian)

Classical Period Sculpture Kritios Boy and Sculptor Policlitus, Classical Painting      

 

 

15.00
Unit IV: 
Greek Art: Hellenistic Period

Hellenistic Period: Sculptors Prexitilis, Scopas, Lyssipus

Sculptures Dying Gaul, Barberine Faun, Alter at Pergamum, Nike of Samothrace, Laocoon

 

 

15.00
Unit V: 
Roman Art and Early Christian Art

Roman Art: Architecture: (Temple of Fortuna Virilis, Temple of Sibyl, Sanctury of Fortuna

Primigenia, Colloseum)

Sculpture: (Portraits, Narrative Relief- Ara Pacis, Arch of Titus, Column of Trajan, Arch of Constantine

Painting

Early Christian Art: Mosaics and there contrast with Greco- Roman Painting (Good Shepherd mosaic, The parting of lot and Abraham mosaic)

Catacombs (Catacomb of SS. Pietro e Marcellino)  

Sculptures (Sarcophagus of Junius Bassus)

Illustration

 

 

Essential Readings: 
  1. H.W. Janson, History of Art, Thames & Hudson, 1991 Revised reprint
  2. Werner Keller, The Etruscans, Albert L. Knopf, Inc., 1974
  3. Mario Moretti & Guglielmo Maetzke, The art of the Etruscans, Harry N. Abrams & Thames & Hudson, 1970
  4. Francesco Abbate (Ed.), Roman art, Octopus books, 1972
  5. Heinz Kahler, Rome& her Empire, Methuen Books, 1963
  6. Moses Haddas, Imperial Rome, Time-Life International, 1966
  7. Michael Vickers, The Roman world, Elsevier-Phaidon, 1977

 

 

References: 
  1. TrewinCopplestone, Pompeian Frescoes, Batchworth Press, 1961
  2. Rene Huyghe, Larousse Encyclopaedia of Byzantine and Medieval art, Paul Hamlyn, 1968 reprint
  3. Jean Lassus, The Early Christian and Byzantine world, Paul Hamlyn, 1966
  4. Art: A World History: Elke Linda Buchholz, Susanne Kaeppele
  5. Janson’s History of Art: The Penelope J.E. Davies, Walter B. Denny Western Tradition.
  6. The Story of Art: Gombrich, E.H

 

E-Resources:

  1. https://archive.org/details/the-history-of-art-janson/page/70/mode/2up
  2. https://www.theartstory.org/
  3. https://www.khanacademy.org/
  4. https://www.jstor.org/
  5. https://archive.org/details/history-of-art-janson/page/n5/mode/2up
  6. https://www.khanacademy.org/humanities/medieval-world/early-christian-art/beginners-guide-early-christian-art/a/early-christian-art

 

 

Academic Year: 
2025-2026
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