This PREP workshop was made possible by the NSF grant DUE: 0341481

From Prep08Wiki

Background

The meander and lotus/palmette motifs are very common elements in the subsidiary painted designs of both stone monuments and terracotta vessels. While there are commonalities among the many different expressions of these motifs, close observation of the variations can lead to the recognition of a single artist's hand. Exploring the symmetries in the designs will illuminate the basic patterns that characterize the decorative language of Archaic and Classical culture.

Questions

1. Study closely the four meander patterns below.
   

   M1.
   M2.
   M3.
   M4.

   For each pattern:

   1. Describe the pattern as though you were writing a catalog entry for a work of art that used this design.
   2. List the symmetries in found in the pattern; if you want, you can mark up the image with lines to illustrate your discoveries.
   3. Consider briefly in a few sentences how each mode of description would help a first-time viewer of these designs "see" and understand them.
2. Draw your own meander pattern.
3. Study closely the three lotus/palmette patterns below.

   L1.
   L2.
   L3.

   1. Describe the elements common to each lotus/palmette design, but discuss how they have been elaborated differently.
   2. Isolate each element of each design and draw it. Find the symmetries in each element.
   3. Using the investigations you have done in the previous two steps, imagine how an artist might have created this very common motif and made creative changes to it without altering the basic outlines.