Ancient Art created between 30,000 BCE500 CE - Essay Example

Art is a very important aspect of human development. Art provide opportunities for self-expression by bringing the inner world into the outer world of concrete reality. In aerlier times art was a form of expression and passing of important messages in the society. In fact social structures of most of societies were defined by the art. It is therefore a fact that the work of art has evolved with time but its importance has remained the same. This paper tries to analyze the importance of ancient art between 30,000 BCE and 500 CE by analyzing two important arts that existed between this period.

Mask Date: 12th–9th century BCEGeography: Mexico, MesoamericaCulture: TlatilcoMedium: CeramicDimensions: H. 5 1/5 in. (13.2 cm)Classification: Ceramics-SculptureCredit Line: The Michael C. Rockefeller Memorial Collection, Bequest of Nelson A. Rockefeller, 1979DescriptionMasks in ancient Mexico came in all shapes and sizes. They ranged from those that depicted human faces to those that were almost supernatural. Specifically, this mask was associated with the site of Tlatilco in the Basin of Mexico.

The mask was characterized by a twisted simian like face with simple, serpentine curves for ears, protruding eye sockets with crisply outlined eyelids and very broad eyebrows (Historical and Scientific Association of Vancouver, 1926). However, as seen from the picture above, the mask was too small to cover the entire face. It is worth noting that paired holes that appeared below the years suggest that the mask was being tied on the lower face or onto some bundle or sculpture. Basically, this art was important because it was a sign of transformation (Historical and Scientific Association of Vancouver, 1926).

Female FigureDate: 12th–9th century BCEGeography: Mexico, MesoamericaCulture: OlmecMedium: CeramicDimensions: H. 6 3/4 in. (17 cm)Classification: Ceramics-SculptureCredit Line: Rogers Fund, 1983DescriptionThis piece of art was made during the late second millennium B.C. commonly described as fertility figurines, this art was depicted women (Historical and Scientific Association of Vancouver, 1926). The arts’ attenuated limbs and sometimes the disturbing facial features were interpreted to be a sign of abnormalities indicative of special access to the supernatural realm.

However, such interpretations are not exclusive. Most of the details reflect regional traditions whereby facial and body treatments can be precisely recognized. This piece of work was meant to show a social status in the society. For example, the narrow eyes and mouth of the art can be regarded to a representation of the so-called pretty lady figures from Tlatilco (Historical and Scientific Association of Vancouver, 1926). SimilaritiesBoth the female figure and the mask were as a result of rich history of Mexico.

They are both ceramic products, painted and well sculptured in a 3D format (Historical and Scientific Association of Vancouver, 1926). The color (brown) of the two pieces of art is the similar maybe because they are all products of Mexican art. The timeline for the two pieces of works is Mesoamerica and Central America, 2000-1000 B.C. DifferencesThe main difference lies on the theme. While the subject matter/ theme of the female figures was nude figure, while that of the mask was mythological figure and mythological figure from Central America.

The mask was more masculine as opposed to the female figure that was definitely feminine (Historical and Scientific Association of Vancouver, 1926). As much as both of the arts had some traditional meaning; the female figure was meant to show a social status in the society while the mask was a sign of transformation. ReferencesArt, Historical and Scientific Association of Vancouver, B.C., & Art, Historical and Scientific Association of Vancouver, B.C. (1926). Museum and art notes. Vancouver, B.C.http://www.metmuseum.org/