📘 Art History 10 – Teacher’s Notes (Day 1–18)

Day 1 – Introduction to Art History

 Background: Art History is the study of artistic expressions across time. Art always reflects culture, values,
and human needs.
 Emphasize: Art is not “just decoration” but carries meaning and function (religious, political, social).
 Discussion prompts:
o Why do people create art?

o How is art connected to culture today?

 Activity Tip: Encourage brainstorming → “What is art to me?” mind map.

 Assessment: Check if students recognize multiple roles of art.

Day 2 – Prehistoric Art

 Background: Cave paintings and figurines are humanity’s earliest visual records.
 Examples: Lascaux (France), Altamira (Spain), Venus of Willendorf, Stonehenge.
 Emphasize: Survival and ritual → art was practical and spiritual.
 Discussion prompts:
o Why did early humans paint animals but rarely people?

o How does art help survival?

 Activity Tip: Have them draw on “cave walls” (paper bags/rocks).

 Assessment: Output should reflect storytelling.

Day 3 – Ancient Egyptian Art

 Background: Egyptians believed in life after death → art preserved memory.
 Examples: Pyramids of Giza, Sphinx, Nefertiti bust, Book of the Dead.
 Emphasize: Symbolism (colors, poses). Pharaoh = divine.
 Discussion prompts:
o Why was permanence so important in Egyptian art?

o How did religion shape their art?

 Activity Tip: Hieroglyph name cartouche → make sure students explain symbols.

Day 4 – Mesopotamian Art

 Background: First cities; rulers tied themselves to gods.
 Examples: Ziggurat of Ur, Hammurabi’s Code stele, Assyrian lion hunts.
 Emphasize: Political power + religion.
 Discussion prompts:
o How did rulers use art for authority?

o Compare Mesopotamian vs. Egyptian temples.

  Activity Tip: Clay seal → simple but emphasizes communication.

Day 5 – Greek Art

 Background: “Classical” art; search for beauty and harmony.
 Examples: Parthenon, Discobolus, Venus de Milo, red-figure pottery.
 Emphasize: Humanism, balance, symmetry. Columns (Doric, Ionic, Corinthian).
 Discussion prompts:
o How is Greek art still visible in modern buildings?

o What is an “ideal human body”?

 Activity Tip: Vase design with mythological patterns.

Day 6 – Roman Art

 Background: Rome absorbed Greek ideas but stressed realism and engineering.
 Examples: Colosseum, Pantheon, aqueducts, mosaics.
 Emphasize: Realism, propaganda, architecture. Use of arches, domes, concrete.
 Discussion prompts:
o How is Roman architecture still important today?

o Why do you think Romans preferred realistic portraits?

 Activity Tip: Group mosaic project → collaboration.

Day 7 – Chinese Art

 Background: Philosophy (Confucianism, Taoism) and dynasty culture shaped art.
 Examples: Terracotta Army, ink wash paintings, calligraphy, porcelain.
 Emphasize: Nature, balance, spiritual depth.
 Discussion prompts:
o Why is calligraphy considered an art form?

o How does Chinese art reflect respect for nature?

 Activity Tip: Calligraphy practice → stress patience & concentration.

Day 8 – Indian Art

 Background: Religions (Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism) central to art.
 Examples: Ajanta caves, Sanchi Stupa, Dancing Shiva, mandalas.
 Emphasize: Symbolism, storytelling, spirituality.
 Discussion prompts:
o Why is symbolism important in Indian art?

o How does art help meditation?

 Activity Tip: Mandala drawing → let students explain chosen symbols.

Day 9 – Mesoamerican Art
 Background: Maya, Aztec, and other civilizations tied art to religion and astronomy.
 Examples: Chichén Itzá, Aztec Sun Stone, codices, Quetzalcoatl carvings.
 Emphasize: Religion, ritual, science.
 Discussion prompts:
o Why did they build pyramids similar to Egypt?

o How did astronomy influence their art?

 Activity Tip: Calendar design → discuss meaning behind designs.

Day 10 – Medieval Art (Byzantine & Romanesque)

 Background: After Rome fell, the Church became Europe’s center of power.
 Examples: Hagia Sophia mosaics, Book of Kells, Romanesque abbeys.
 Emphasize: Flat, spiritual art → teaching tool for faith.
 Discussion prompts:
o Why do you think people accepted “unrealistic” art?

o How did the Church use art to teach?

 Activity Tip: Illuminated manuscript letters.

Day 11 – Gothic Art

 Background: Cathedrals became symbols of heaven on earth.
 Examples: Notre Dame, Chartres Cathedral, stained glass windows.
 Emphasize: Height, light, pointed arches, stained glass.
 Discussion prompts:
o How does architecture affect emotions?

o What do stained glass stories tell us about medieval society?

 Activity Tip: Stained-glass paper design.

Day 12 – Italian Renaissance

 Background: Humanism; rediscovery of Classical knowledge.
 Examples: Leonardo da Vinci (Mona Lisa), Michelangelo (Sistine Chapel), Raphael (School of Athens).
 Emphasize: Perspective, realism, study of anatomy.
 Discussion prompts:
o What changed from Medieval to Renaissance art?

o Why is perspective revolutionary?

 Activity Tip: Perspective drawing exercise.

Day 13 – Northern Renaissance

 Background: Focused on detail, texture, domestic settings.
  Examples: Jan van Eyck (Arnolfini Portrait), Albrecht Dürer (engravings).
 Emphasize: Oil painting, symbolism, daily life themes.
 Discussion prompts:
o Compare Italian and Northern Renaissance styles.

o Why might symbolism be important in their art?

 Activity Tip: Painting analysis in groups.

Day 14 – Baroque & Rococo

 Background: Baroque (dramatic, emotional); Rococo (ornate, playful).
 Examples: Caravaggio (The Calling of St. Matthew), Rembrandt (Night Watch), Palace of Versailles.
 Emphasize: Movement, drama, light and shadow (chiaroscuro).
 Discussion prompts:
o Why was Baroque dramatic?

o What mood does Rococo art give?

 Activity Tip: “Living painting” role-play.

Day 15 – Neoclassicism & Romanticism

 Background: Neoclassicism → order & reason; Romanticism → emotion & imagination.
 Examples: Jacques-Louis David (Oath of the Horatii), Francisco Goya (Third of May 1808), Delacroix (Liberty
Leading the People).
 Emphasize: Reason vs. Emotion.
 Discussion prompts:
o Which appeals more to you: order or emotion? Why?

o How do these reflect society at the time?

 Activity Tip: Venn diagram comparing two paintings.

Day 16 – Impressionism & Post-Impressionism
 Background: Artists rejected realism → painted light, color, and impressions.
 Examples: Monet (Water Lilies), Van Gogh (Starry Night), Cézanne (Still Lifes).
 Emphasize: Brushstrokes, outdoor painting, use of light.
 Discussion prompts:
o How does Impressionism make you “feel” the scene?

o How is Van Gogh different from Monet?

 Activity Tip: Quick painting/sketch capturing light.

Day 17 – Modern Art Movements

 Background: 20th-century experimentation → new forms.
 Examples: Picasso (Cubism), Dalí (Surrealism), Kandinsky (Abstract).
 Emphasize: Breaking tradition, expressing psychology.
 Discussion prompts:
 o Why do you think modern art looks “strange”?

o Can “anything” be art?

 Activity Tip: Surrealist collage project.

Day 18 – Contemporary & Philippine Art (Culmination)

 Background: Contemporary art includes performance, installation, mixed media. In the Philippines, artists like
Benedicto Cabrera (BenCab) and Ang Kiukok shaped modern identity.
 Examples: BenCab (Sabel series), Ang Kiukok (Cubist-inspired works).
 Emphasize: Art is global, diverse, and often socially critical.
 Discussion prompts:
o How is Philippine art connected to world art?

o What issues do artists address today?

 Activity Tip: Timeline mural (Prehistoric → Contemporary).

 Assessment: Group presentations + reflections.

📖 Art History 10 – Detailed Student Notes (Day 1–10)

Day 1 – Introduction to Art History

 Definition:
o Art History is the study of artworks (paintings, sculptures, architecture, crafts) from different times and
cultures, and how these works reflect human life, beliefs, and values.
 Why study Art History?
1. To understand how humans expressed ideas and emotions visually.
2. To connect culture, religion, and politics with artistic expression.
3. To appreciate creativity and craftsmanship.
4. To see how art reflects changes in technology and society.
 Branches of Art:
o Visual Arts: painting, drawing, sculpture, architecture.

o Decorative Arts: pottery, textiles, jewelry.

o Performing Arts: dance, music, drama (less focus here).

 Art as a Record of History:

o Ancient art = survival and rituals.

o Classical art = beauty, harmony.

o Medieval art = religion.

o Renaissance = humanism.

o Modern/Contemporary = creativity, self-expression.

Day 2 – Prehistoric Art (30,000–3,000 BCE)

  Context: Before writing, humans expressed beliefs through art.
 Key Examples:
o Cave paintings: Lascaux (France), Altamira (Spain). Subjects: bison, horses, deer.

o Sculptures: Venus of Willendorf (Austria) → fertility figure.

o Monuments: Stonehenge (England) → possibly calendar/ritual site.

 Features:
o Materials: charcoal, red/yellow ochre, animal fat.

o Simple lines, bold outlines.

o Human figures rare → focus on animals and fertility.

 Purpose:
o Rituals for successful hunting.

o Fertility and life cycle symbolism.

o Early communication.

 Key Idea: Prehistoric art shows the earliest human beliefs and survival practices.

Day 3 – Ancient Egyptian Art (3000–30 BCE)

 Context: Art tied to religion and afterlife. Pharaohs seen as gods.
 Key Examples:
o Architecture: Pyramids of Giza, Great Sphinx.

o Painting: Tomb murals in Valley of the Kings.

o Sculpture: Statue of Khafre, bust of Nefertiti.

o Writing: Hieroglyphics.

 Features:
o Frontalism: heads and legs sideways, torso forward.

o Use of symbolic colors:

 Gold = eternity, Sun.

 Green = fertility, rebirth.
 Blue = Nile, life.
o Rigid, idealized forms (not realistic).

 Purpose:
o Preserve body and soul for afterlife.

o Glorify gods and pharaohs.

 Key Idea: Egyptian art was symbolic, religious, and timeless.

Day 4 – Ancient Mesopotamian Art (3500–539 BCE)

 Context: “Cradle of Civilization.” Kings and priests held power.
 Key Examples:
o Architecture: Ziggurat of Ur.
 o Reliefs: Assyrian lion hunt carvings.

o Sculpture: Statues of Gudea.

o Inventions: Cylinder seals.

 Features:
o Monumental temples (ziggurats).

o Detailed storytelling reliefs.

o Emphasis on kings’ power and connection to gods.

 Purpose:
o To glorify rulers and gods.

o To record battles and achievements.

 Key Idea: Mesopotamian art emphasized power, devotion, and history-telling.

Day 5 – Ancient Greek Art (900–31 BCE)

 Context: Greeks valued philosophy, democracy, and human achievement.
 Key Examples:
o Architecture: Parthenon (Athens).

o Sculpture: Discobolus (Myron), Venus de Milo, Parthenon Marbles.

o Pottery: Black-figure and red-figure vases.

 Features:
o Humanism: focus on ideal human form.

o Contrapposto: natural standing pose (weight shifted to one leg).

o Architecture based on columns:

 Doric (simple, sturdy).

 Ionic (scroll-shaped top).
 Corinthian (ornate with leaves).
 Purpose:
o Honor gods.

o Express harmony, proportion, beauty.

 Key Idea: Greek art celebrated human perfection and balance.

Day 6 – Ancient Roman Art (500 BCE–476 CE)

 Context: Rome expanded Greek ideas but focused on power and practicality.
 Key Examples:
o Architecture: Colosseum, Pantheon (dome with oculus), aqueducts.

o Sculpture: Augustus of Prima Porta, realistic busts.

o Mosaics: House decorations in Pompeii.

 Features:
o More realistic portraits than Greeks.
 o Advanced engineering: arches, vaults, domes, concrete.

o Public art = propaganda for emperors.

 Purpose:
o Glorify Rome’s power.

o Decorate public & private life.

 Key Idea: Roman art was realistic, practical, and grand.

Day 7 – Ancient Chinese Art

 Context: Strong dynasties, Confucianism, Taoism, ancestor worship.
 Key Examples:
o Sculpture: Terracotta Army (Qin Dynasty).

o Painting: Ink wash landscapes (mountains, rivers).

o Calligraphy: “Art of writing.”

o Porcelain: Ming Dynasty ceramics.

 Features:
o Focus on nature and harmony.

o Art reflected philosophy and balance.

o Detailed craftsmanship.

 Purpose:
o Show respect for ancestors.

o Express spiritual and natural harmony.

 Key Idea: Chinese art was spiritual, nature-centered, and refined.

Day 8 – Ancient Indian Art

 Context: Religion (Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism) shaped art.
 Key Examples:
o Architecture: Stupa at Sanchi, Hindu temples (Khajuraho).

o Painting: Ajanta cave murals.

o Sculpture: Dancing Shiva (Nataraja).

o Design: Mandalas.

 Features:
o Rich in symbolism (lotus = purity, wheel = cycle of life).

o Focus on storytelling and spirituality.

o Temples decorated with detailed carvings.

 Purpose:
o Teach moral and spiritual lessons.

o Aid meditation and prayer.

 Key Idea: Indian art blended religion, beauty, and philosophy.

Day 9 – Ancient Mesoamerican Art (Maya & Aztec)
 Context: Civilizations in Central America (2000 BCE–1500 CE).
 Key Examples:
o Maya pyramids: Chichén Itzá.

o Aztec Sun Stone (calendar).

o Codices: painted books of rituals, astronomy.

o Sculpture: Feathered Serpent (Quetzalcoatl).

 Features:
o Stepped pyramids.

o Art linked to astronomy, rituals, and sacrifices.

o Bright colors, geometric patterns.

 Purpose:
o Honor gods (sun, rain, war).

o Track time and seasons.

o Preserve history.

 Key Idea: Mesoamerican art united religion, science, and daily life.

Day 10 – Medieval Art (Byzantine & Romanesque, 400–1200 CE)

 Context: Europe under Christian Church influence.
 Key Examples:
o Byzantine mosaics: Hagia Sophia, Ravenna churches.

o Icons: flat holy images of Christ and saints.

o Romanesque churches: thick walls, rounded arches (ex: Abbey of Cluny).

o Illuminated manuscripts: Book of Kells.

 Features:
o Figures looked flat, spiritual (not realistic).

o Strong use of gold backgrounds.

o Art = religious storytelling.

 Purpose:
o Teach Christianity (most people couldn’t read).

o Inspire faith.

 Key Idea: Medieval art was faith-centered, symbolic, and spiritual.