As little pedagogy as possible! Let’s make art fun again! your hosts into collective [un]consciousness of centuries pasts: mostly UBU507 and occasionally billyjane & nomoreheroes if you wish you can submit your centuries past finds/posts HERETumblr (3.0; @centuriespast)http://centuriespast.tumblr.com/<img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/e5bb4ffb359fad855baea4f138209ea0/tumblr_mmsw0ep3RB1qzix81o1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p><span>Photograph by Davis & Sanford, New York, of Pierpont Morgan’s daughters, Louisa, Anne, and Juliet Morgan, ca. 1900</span></p> <p><span>The Morgan Library</span></p>http://centuriespast.tumblr.com/post/50848438578http://centuriespast.tumblr.com/post/50848438578Sun, 19 May 2013 16:37:24 -0400<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/02d6e51fcf28290d14dbca63c59495c8/tumblr_mmsvuyxMyg1qzix81o1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p><span>Photograph of Pierpont Morgan at the Temple of Horus at Edfu, Egypt</span></p> <p><span>The Morgan Library</span></p>http://centuriespast.tumblr.com/post/50839395311http://centuriespast.tumblr.com/post/50839395311Sun, 19 May 2013 14:46:23 -0400<img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/dfaf422c7741b491d44ca18dab87efca/tumblr_mmsvpzaIFq1qzix81o1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p><span>Cover editorial cartoon from </span><em>The Verdict,</em><span> commenting on the gold crisis of 1895, 4 December 1899</span></p> <p><span>The Morgan Library</span></p>http://centuriespast.tumblr.com/post/50830923367http://centuriespast.tumblr.com/post/50830923367Sun, 19 May 2013 12:56:11 -0400<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/542bbbba6eeac745790f0ee72f73fb3e/tumblr_mmsvnhx87T1qzix81o1_400.jpg"/><br/><br/><p><span>Advertisement of an Honest Rumseller, a temperance broadside from the papers of the Rev. John Pierpont, 1851</span></p> <p><span>The Morgan Library</span></p>http://centuriespast.tumblr.com/post/50823154087http://centuriespast.tumblr.com/post/50823154087Sun, 19 May 2013 11:05:05 -0400I will corrupt the ministers of religion<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/cb6b9b2e8627221d7ff3ded97961a275/tumblr_mmsvap2s5x1qzix81o1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p><strong><em>Foundation Figure of a Kneeling God Holding a Peg</em></strong><br/><span>Mesopotamia, period of Gudea (ca. 2144–2124 b.c.); copper</span></p> <p><span>This well-preserved copper figurine is a god, identifiable as such by his headgear, topped by several pairs of bull’s horns. He is symbolically “nailing” the foundation of the temple permanently to the earth. The sculptor vested a figure, fully realized in the round, with an inherent naturalism and delicate fluidity. Though immobilized by the act depicted, the muscular interaction of his body parts is well understood. By analogy with earlier inscribed foundation figures, the deity probably represents the personal god of Gudea, ruler of Lagash.</span></p> <p><span>The Morgan Library</span></p> <p><span> </span></p>http://centuriespast.tumblr.com/post/50816896859http://centuriespast.tumblr.com/post/50816896859Sun, 19 May 2013 09:14:05 -0400<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/8d49f40a00d96dc3d5dbc0d1193cc57e/tumblr_mmsv8ebAKE1qzix81o1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p><strong>Striding Bull</strong><br/><span>Cylinder seal and impression</span><br/><span>Persia, Achaemenid period</span><br/><span>(ca. 550–330 </span><span class="medium">B.C.</span><span>)</span></p> <p><span>The Morgan Library</span></p>http://centuriespast.tumblr.com/post/50812381701http://centuriespast.tumblr.com/post/50812381701Sun, 19 May 2013 07:23:08 -0400<img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/4862f5ef426ba367e3005773120ab7d6/tumblr_mmsv6jSo3J1qzix81o1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p><strong>King Standing on Sphinxes and Holding a Lion in Each Hand; Palm Tree with Winged Sun Disk Above</strong><br/><span>Cylinder seal and impression</span><br/><span>Persia, Achaemenid period</span><br/><span>(ca.550–330</span><span class="medium"> B.C.</span><span>)</span></p> <p><span>The Morgan Library</span></p>http://centuriespast.tumblr.com/post/50802901486http://centuriespast.tumblr.com/post/50802901486Sun, 19 May 2013 05:32:37 -0400<img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/a59c4a49c2a9e41798d275ca954b9d65/tumblr_mmsv4ic8Xq1qzix81o1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p><strong>Persian Warrior with Greek Prisoners of War</strong><br/><span>Cylinder seal and impression</span><br/><span>Persia, Achaemenid period (ca. 550–330 </span><span class="medium">B.C.</span><span>)</span></p> <p><span>The Morgan Library</span></p>http://centuriespast.tumblr.com/post/50797439065http://centuriespast.tumblr.com/post/50797439065Sun, 19 May 2013 03:41:36 -0400<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/c3d67a15673d5be194c9a1f08531670d/tumblr_mmsv0lhjrC1qzix81o1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p><strong>Winged Lion Griffin Attacked by Hero over Kneeling Calf</strong><br/><span>Cylinder seal</span><br/><span>Mesopotamia, Middle Assyrian period</span><br/><span>(ca.twelfth/eleventh century </span><span class="small">B.C.</span><span>)</span></p> <p><span>The Morgan Library</span></p>http://centuriespast.tumblr.com/post/50792569646http://centuriespast.tumblr.com/post/50792569646Sun, 19 May 2013 01:51:01 -0400<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/c0d0d10a96f6eb195bdebe446308e8a7/tumblr_mmsuyvYMlJ1qzix81o1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p><strong>Griffin Demon Tearing Branch from Tree</strong><br/><span>Cylinder seal and impression</span><br/><span>Mesopotamia, Middle Assyrian period</span><br/><span>(ca. twelfth/eleventh century </span><span class="medium">B.C.</span><span>)</span></p> <p><span>The Morgan Library</span></p>http://centuriespast.tumblr.com/post/50777868608http://centuriespast.tumblr.com/post/50777868608Sat, 18 May 2013 22:09:30 -0400<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/75e4291ee547b2719eb90e5e5460089d/tumblr_mmsux4VJdX1qzix81o1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p><strong>A Winged Hero Pursuing Two Ostriches</strong><br/><span>Cylinder seal and impression</span><br/><span>Mesopotamia, Middle Assyrian period </span><br/><span>(ca. 1250–1150 </span><span class="medium">B.C.</span><span>) </span></p> <p><span>In one of the most striking of the Morgan’s Middle Assyrian seals, a hero pursues an adult ostrich, possibly representing the earthly equivalent of the griffin, the conveyor of death. The fleeing ostrich, with its head turned back in fear and fury and its feathers bristling, ranks among the greatest Mesopotamian depictions of animals. In the biblical Book of Job (39:13–17), the ostrich is considered a malevolent creature because it disdains its young, which may account for the presence of the young ostrich and enhances our understanding of this extraordinary seal.</span></p> <p><span>The Morgan Library</span></p>http://centuriespast.tumblr.com/post/50770604338http://centuriespast.tumblr.com/post/50770604338Sat, 18 May 2013 20:18:48 -0400<img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/de8eab9ea3b93a166453a1a82b07cf8a/tumblr_mmsutrig3Q1qzix81o1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p><strong>Griffin Demon Grasping Bull</strong><br/><span>Cylinder seal and impression</span><br/><span>Mesopotamia, Middle Assyrian period</span><br/><span>(ca. fourteenth century </span><span class="medium">B.C.</span><span>)</span></p> <p><span>The Morgan Library</span></p>http://centuriespast.tumblr.com/post/50763153792http://centuriespast.tumblr.com/post/50763153792Sat, 18 May 2013 18:27:47 -0400<img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/f415627cfe8b820bfd4041b40da64075/tumblr_mmsuijxiWg1qzix81o1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p><strong>Male Figure Before a Goddess Drawing Aside Her Mantle</strong><br/><span>Cylinder seal and impression</span><br/><span>Syria (ca. 1720–1650 </span><span class="medium">B.C.</span><span>)</span></p> <p><span>For the ancient Near East, the act of procreation symbolized creation itself. The female figure in this scene reveals only her pubic area as if to emphasize this idea of procreation rather than mere carnality. The hand-to-mouth gesture of the male figure, as well as his downward-stretched arm, document his astonishment at the symbolic truth being revealed to him.</span></p> <p><span>The Morgan Library</span></p>http://centuriespast.tumblr.com/post/50755149949http://centuriespast.tumblr.com/post/50755149949Sat, 18 May 2013 16:37:16 -0400<img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/205e2cd9d6876a410a8ee4d46974566f/tumblr_mmsts1jrcI1qzix81o1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p><strong>Weather God with Helmet Standing on Mountains, Brandishing Mace and Holding Snake, Lotus Blossom, and Rein of Kneeling Bull Surmounted by Nude Goddess Opening Veil, Suppliant Goddess Behind</strong><br/><span>Cylinder seal and impression</span><br/><span>Syria</span><br/><span>(ca. 1720–1650 </span><span class="medium">B.C.</span><span>)</span></p> <p><span>The Morgan Library</span></p>http://centuriespast.tumblr.com/post/50739455037http://centuriespast.tumblr.com/post/50739455037Sat, 18 May 2013 12:55:46 -0400<img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/6f207ba41baabd9255da7eed5f4481e0/tumblr_mmstp1UanA1qzix81o1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p><strong>Suppliant Goddess with Scorpions Before Winged Goddess with Weapons in Chamber Formed by Guilloches</strong><br/><span>Cylinder seal and impression</span><br/><span>Syria</span><br/><span>(ca. 1720–1650 </span><span class="medium">B.C.</span><span>)</span></p> <p><span>The Morgan Library</span></p>http://centuriespast.tumblr.com/post/50731953325http://centuriespast.tumblr.com/post/50731953325Sat, 18 May 2013 11:04:45 -0400<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/64339a2f22cd58e9d6216bef5c6ac6d3/tumblr_mmstifS0Ou1qzix81o1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p><strong>Nude Goddess with Open Veil and Worshiper Holding Hare Before Enthroned Male Figure, Vultures Above</strong><br/><span>Cylinder seal and impression</span><br/><span>Syria</span><br/><span>(ca. 1720–1650 </span><span class="medium">B.C.</span><span>)</span></p> <p><span>The Morgan Library</span></p>http://centuriespast.tumblr.com/post/50725657513http://centuriespast.tumblr.com/post/50725657513Sat, 18 May 2013 09:14:14 -0400nudityNSFW<img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/b977c977861ad80f4760d051f2a2beee/tumblr_mmstewgzJY1qzix81o1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p><strong>Worshiper Led by Goddess Toward Enthroned God, inscribed</strong><br/><span>Cylinder seal and impression</span><br/><span>Mesopotamia, Third Dynasty of Ur</span><br/><span>(ca. 2112–2004 </span><span class="medium">B.C.</span><span>)</span></p> <p><span>The religious sentiment of the period is profoundly visualized on this seal. The enthroned deity on the right receives a worshiper led by an interceding goddess. The deity is characterized by his erect posture, long flowing beard, and the steady gaze of his eye fully sculpted in profile. The scene is remarkable for the interaction of the figures expressed by their gestures, specifically through their delicately carved hands. Commerce was crucial to the success of the Third Dynasty of Ur; the inscription on the seal identifies its owner as a trader.</span></p> <p><span>The Morgan Library</span></p>http://centuriespast.tumblr.com/post/50721137907http://centuriespast.tumblr.com/post/50721137907Sat, 18 May 2013 07:23:12 -0400<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/cccb7889c8e97c4e407fbe347bc5dce0/tumblr_mmstcaE2X81qzix81o1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p><strong>A Lion-Headed Eagle Grasping Two Mountain Goats, inscribed</strong><br/><span>Cylinder seal and impression</span><br/><span>Mesopotamia, Post-Akkadian period</span><br/><span>(ca. 2154–2100 </span><span class="medium">B.C.</span><span>)</span></p> <p><span>The beautifully incised inscription on this unique cylinder was incorporated into the design to frame the composition. It relates that the seal was created for a man who was a minor official and scribe of a purification priest of the goddess Shara. This was probably at the ancient Southern Mesopotamian city of Lagash, where Shara was the consort of the chief god, Ningursu, and where the lion-headed eagle was a favored image. The delicately worked wings of the majestic lion-headed eagle give the impression that they are spreading open.</span></p> <p><span>The Morgan Library</span></p>http://centuriespast.tumblr.com/post/50717712720http://centuriespast.tumblr.com/post/50717712720Sat, 18 May 2013 05:32:42 -0400<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/784acec1c9f79e5e9ea241a915e17944/tumblr_mmst9s9cNc1qzix81o1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p><strong>Enthroned Goddess with Worshipers Pouring a Libation over a Flaming Altar and Bearing Offerings</strong><br/><span>Cylinder seal and impression</span><br/><span>Mesopotamia, Akkadian period</span><br/><span>(ca. 2334–2154 </span><span class="medium">B.C.</span><span>)</span></p> <p><span>The Morgan Library</span></p>http://centuriespast.tumblr.com/post/50714356481http://centuriespast.tumblr.com/post/50714356481Sat, 18 May 2013 03:41:41 -0400<img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/d1464b2cb9ccbfe1451f4af878d0fe3a/tumblr_mmst7fcyUv1qzix81o1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p><strong>Libation Before the Weather God and the Rain Goddess</strong><br/><span>Cylinder seal and impression</span><br/><span>Mesopotamia, Akkadian period</span><br/><span>(ca. 2334–2154 </span><span class="medium">B.C.</span><span>)</span></p> <p><span>The Morgan Library</span></p>http://centuriespast.tumblr.com/post/50710167010http://centuriespast.tumblr.com/post/50710167010Sat, 18 May 2013 01:51:11 -0400