a. Evaluate calligraphy as an art form as evidenced in the Madrasa Imami, both as the written word (e.g., the Koran), and pure architectural decoration and pattern.
What are the two styles of calligraphic script? How do they express the political and artistic needs of Islam?
How does calligraphy express the nature of Islam as a religion?
Discuss the Mihrab from Madrasa Imami that reflects these differing uses of calligraphy to support your essay. (10 pts.; 180 word minimum)
b. Compare and contrast the Great Mosque (figs. 10-9, 10, 11, 12) in Cordoba, Spain, with the Friday Mosque (fig. 10-13, 14) in Isfahan, Iran.
What are the stylistic design differences, including their plans, and how does each mosque reflect its time period and geographical location?
Discuss the elaborate decoration in Cordoba and the tilework in the iwans of the Isfahan mosque, that makes each structure unique.
What makes the Isfahan mosque important to Iranian architecture? (10 pts.; 180 word minimum)
10-9
10-13
10-14
a. Explain the artistic and symbolic similarities and differences between the Carolingian images of St. Matthew from the Charlemagne Gospel Book (fig. 11-13) and St. Matthew from theEbbo Gospel Book ( fig. 11-14).
11-13
11-14
How does each reflect the Carolingian artistic revival, yet demonstrate the contrasts of past artistic influences including ancient Rome (“classical” as mentioned in the text) on the artist?
What makes each image so different from the other?
Is one image more “classical” (ancient Rome and Greece) than the other? How? (10 points, 200 word minimum)
b. Compare and contrast the Gero Crucifix (Ottonian) (fig. 11-28) and the cover from the Lindau Gospels (Carolingian) (fig. 11-16).
11-16
What artistic features, symbolism and emotional content make each artifact distinct and different from the other?
Is one crucifix more realistic than the other?
How?
Why?
What influences from other countries, cultures and eras can be seen in each work? (Ancient? Byzantine? etc.) (10 points, 200 word minimum)
a. Compare and contrast the Romanesque architecture of Durham cathedral with that of Pisa cathedral.
What architectural innovations, as well as earlier architectural styles, are seen in each structure? What especially makes Durham’s design important?
Also, discuss the cultural and political differences and traditions of each country that assisted in the creation of each unique structure. (10 points, 200 word minimum)
b. Discuss the importance of tympanums as used in church portals.
What was the purpose of a tympanum?
What were some of the stories told on them?
Define the 5 basic architectural/sculptural components in the typical design.
Now select from among Saint-Pierre, Saint-Lazare, and La Madeleine, and succinctly discuss two of them:
1. the story told on each
2. distinguishing design/stylistic characteristics
3. sculptor who created each
4. most important symbolism conveyed on each
5. biggest stylistic differences between them
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