Part 2, Art movements – From the Cave to Mesopotamia, the land between the rivers.

Who were they?

The only remaining records that survive now, are the existing cave art and prehistoric sculpted objects. discovered and found by archeologists.

Mesopotamia was the first artistic culture using its artworks in a dynamic way. This documented period in Antiquity began about the 4^th millennium, 5 -6000 years ago. The peoples in the key area of Mesopotamia made great leaps forward in all aspects of their world. Now known as ‘the cradle of civilization,’ was a modern life style, we would easily recognize. Sophisticated art was very much a part of their development. Four known people groups lived in the area between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, at the Mediterranean’s far end, in the middle Eastern countries. Mesopotamia developed from the 7th–5th millennium BC. These people created the first written word or cuneiform, a wedge-shaped writing system in clay tablets. Highly skilled, the Mesopotamian artists were potters, metalsmiths, jewelers, carpenters and sculptors of stone, and extended to architecture, which survives today. This refined culture painted their pottery and sculptures and used them to glorify gods. A whole new level, far removed from the cave.

Seeing their artistic skills.

Many examples of Mesopotamian artefacts exist in worldwide museum collections, such was the importance, output and recognition.

Click the link below to learn more…

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Art_of_Mesopotamia#

Mesopotamian cylinder seals are some of their finest artistic achievements. These administrative tools, made from precious or semi-precious stones, had carved designs used to roll an impression onto wet clay. You can imagine the work and skill sets to create such a seemingly insignificant item. They were very important, and used for over 3000 years! See here, https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/W_1873-0901-1

Artistic Development.

Mesopotamia developed architecture and the worlds first cities, the sophistication included writing, complex political and administrative systems. Advanced in mathematics, astronomy, agriculture, and art was incredibly important to them. Their art served religious needs as ritual depiction of the deities. And the significance between terrestrial and divine relationships. https://www.worldhistory.org/collection/262/a-gallery-of-mesopotamian-religion/15/#gallery_wrapper

The many skills their craftsmen used created beautiful and intricate objects in gold, precious stones, clay, and wood. This sophistication rivalled Egypt and influenced the art and culture of many civilizations in the Near East.

Copy and paste the link below to learn more…

https://www.invaluable.com/blog/mesopotamian-art/?srsltid=AfmBOore1djGqls1FDk1Q-GYcguNHOnijV7UxS3LTDvTQrR5Fn7riwAP

Their artisans created religious and royal art and everyday objects like pottery, tools and weapons, as part of their practical skills. There was no real distinction between artisans and artists. This creative artistic ability in their culture and history, is a valuable insight into art as we know it. Primarily, the refined culture and artworks plus the written word combined to tell the evolving art story, for the first time in human existence.

 More information here https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/galleries/mesopotamia#virtual-tour&gid=1&pid=1 and https://www.getty.edu/art/exhibitions/mesopotamia/

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