(9000 - 500 B.C)
This is the land between the
Tigris and Euphrates rivers which roughly comprises modern Iraq and part of
Syria. The most ancient civilizations known to man first developed there
writing, schools, libraries, written law codes, agriculture, irrigation, farming
and moved us from prehistory to history. It's giving Mesopotamia the reputation
of being the cradle of civilization. The name does not refer to any particular
civilization using that name. It includs non-Semitic Sumerians, followed by the
Semitic Akkadians, Babylonians, and Assyrians. Over the course of 4000 years,
the art of Mesopotamia reveals a tradition that appears, homogeneous in style
and iconography.Art became decorative, stylized and conventionalized at different times and places. Gods took on human forms and humans were combined with animals to make fantastic creatures. Large temples and imposing palaces dotted the landscape. History and poetry for the first time was recorded and set down to music. Lyres, pipes, harps and drums accompanied their songs and dances.
The soil of Mesopotamia yielded the civilization's major building material - mud brick. Stone was rare, and certain types had to be imported for sculpture. Variety of metals, as well as shells and precious stones, were used for the finest sculpture and inlays.
Prehistoric Period
Mesopotamian art of the period, from 7000 to 3500 B.C., before writing, was fully developed. Archaeological sites are Hassuna, Samarra and Tell Halaf.
Early Dynastic Period - Old Sumerian (From 3000 to 2340 B.C.)
The Sumerians developed pottery and jewellery. A new type of building was introduced - city-states centers of this epoch are Ur, Umma, Lagash, Kish, and Eshnunna. One of the most remarkable artifacts remaining from this period is known as The Standard of Ur.
- Figures from Tell Asmar - Sumerian Art and Architecture
Akkadian Period
In the late 24th century B.C. under Sargon I, Akkadians united the whole of Mesopotamia. Little Akkadian art remains.Significant Akkadian innovations were those of the seal cutters. The Akkadian cities are Sippar, Assur, Eshnuna, Tell Brak, and Akkad.
- AncientNearEast.tripod.com: Ancient Akkad (Agade)
Neo-Sumerian Period (From 2112 to 2004 B.C.)
The Akkadian Empire fell to the nomadic Guti, who did not centralize their power. This enabled the Sumerian cities of Uruk, Ur, and Lagash to reestablish their power.
- DIA Galleries: Gudea, a ruler of Lagash (2141-2122 B.C.)
Old Babylonian Period
The land was once more united by Semitic rulers (about 2000-1600 B.C.). The most important ruler was Hammurabi of Babylon. The most original art of the Babylonian period came from Mari.
- CCC Alan Petersen: The Stele of Hammurabi
Kassite and Elamite Dynasties
The Kassites, a people of non-Mesopotamian origin, were present in Babylon shortly after Hammurabi's death. They adapted themselves to their environment and its art.
Assyrian Empire (From 1700 B.C. to 100 B.C.)
It shows different from established Babylonian stylistic traditions both in religious subjects and secular themes. They built ziggurats for temples. The technique of polychromed glazing of bricks was used. The Neo-Assyrian period, 1000-612 B.C. is a time of great builders. Kings adorned palaces with magnificent reliefs. Gypsum alabaster, was more easily carved than the hard stones used by the Sumerians and Akkadians. Royal chronicles in battle and in the hunt were recounted in horizontal bands with cuneiform texts. At times mythological figures are portrayed. Sculptors were at their best in depicting hunting scenes. The art of the late Assyrian seal cutter is a combination of realism and mythology.
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