Artistic Convention A standard, often stylized, way a culture deals with a specific image in art. In these statues from Tel Asmar (Mesopotamia) the human figure and face is dealt with identically in all cases, these similarities are conventions: Hands folded in front (holding flowers or other offering that is now missing) Facing straight forward Feet on a small base Clothing is stylized the same for each The faces of the figures also have conventions: Large, staring eyes Men’s bears are stylized the same way Puffy simple lips Eyebrows meet in the center Many of these conventions continue into other later Mesopotamia, Aegean, and Mediterranean cultures

Artistic Convention A standard, often stylized, way a culture deals with a specific image in art. Each of these Cycladic idols (religious statues from the Cyclades islands in the Aegean Sea) have specific conventions. You should be able to see the conventions just by comparing them! These three Christian Churches (floor plans are shown to the right) were built centuries apart. Yet their floor plans have conventions. You should also be able to recognize them at a glance: All are in a cruciform or cross shape All have round chapels at the top All have four pillars at the corners of the transept (where the arms intersect with the center aisle) Coins often exhibit conventions:

Artistic Convention A standard, often stylized, way a culture deals with a specific image in art. Rulers are often the faces on the coins, and in most nations, they face to the right. As shown below, most American coins face left and show the portraits of Presidents. Coins often exhibit conventions: Facing right (if you are the good guy) is a convention that started in Mesopotamian relief sculpture.

Hierarchical Order Conventional ways of showing who the most important character is in a work of art In the Tel Asmar statues were commissioned by a person to place in a temple. The largest statues were commissioned by the wealthiest clients and were usually the most powerful and important people in a town. This is one of the earliest and most basic examples of Hierarchical order. In the Egyptian relief sculpture to the right, the most important figure faces right, is the largest, is central in the artwork, and has the biggest hat! A crown or headdress are good indications of importance. Also, wearing clothing as opposed to being naked is a key sign. Figures facing left in ancient art, or those at the bottom of a picture are usually the least important or they are the defeated enemy.

Hierarchical Order Conventional ways of showing who the most important character is in a work of art In this painting by Masaccio, God, the father, is the most important as he is central and placed the highest in the composition. The Holy Spirit (a dove over Christ’s head) is next, then Christ, Mary, mother of Jesus, to the left of the cross, St. John to the right and the donor and his wife kneeling. Color is not an important indicator here – but location is. In this painting by Titian, the most important figures are not central, but they are the highest up and they are in the brightest light. Christ is the only nude figure, which brings attention to him (and is a reversal of ancient hierarchical order!)

Hierarchical Order Conventional ways of showing who the most important character is in a work of art In this painting of Washington crossing the Delaware, the most important figure is standing, placed the highest in the picture, wearing the most complex outfit and is framed by the sunny area of sky.

Registers Levels of narrative images placed in an artwork – so the story can be “read” in the correct order – like a comic book The levels of pictures in this vase read from bottom to top. The least important objects are on the bottom with the most important figures in the top level. This is also a good example of Hierarchical order as the top figures face right, are clothed, and are highest in the artwork). This painting, an altarpiece, has two registers. The upper register is an old testament story and the lower register is a new testament story. Registers in artwork are like the frames of a comic book – they contain the parts to a story and define the order in which it is read.

Registers Levels of narrative images placed in an artwork – so the story can be “read” in the correct order like a comic book In Michelangelo’s “Judgment” in the Sistine chapel, there are three registers, or levels of people. Each level is a different step in the judgment process. These registers are not as defined as in some artwork by they still define the narrative. This painting, an altarpiece, has two registers. The upper register is an old testament story and the lower register is a new testament story. Registers in artwork are like the frames of a comic book – they contain the parts to a story and define the order in which it is read.

Registers Levels of narrative images placed in an artwork – so the story can be “read” in the correct order – like a comic book. Not all registers read from left to right and top to bottom (that is a Western convention). Some registers will be vertical and in some cultures they read from right to left. Some artwork, like this section of a 300-foot tapestry, will have a text register, images that go with the text, and extra information, like footnotes, below the main story.