Audrey DeStefano's History of Art I Blog

  The ancient ruins of Great Zimbabwe are and remain one of the most humbling and stunning architectural undertakings, so one can only imagine how they looked before when the city was fully standing and people bustled throughout as the probable capital of an unknown kingdom. Its walls, crafted with granite blocks, are intimidatingly high, standing at thirty-six feet in some places and stretches across over eight hundred feet. Their unusually but magnificently coiled design fascinated travelers and colonizers alike, so much so that the craftsmanship was the subject of heavy debate. Sadly, there is little to no information on those who inhabited these ruins before they became just that, but it appears that the wealthy and royals often graced those walls.   Works Cited Dr. Nancy Demerdash, "Great Zimbabwe," in Smarthistory, October 8, 2016, accessed December 12, 2020, https://smarthistory.org/great-zimbabwe/ . Department of the Arts of Africa, Oceania, and the Americas

  The cross has always been an important symbol (the most important symbol, in fact) of all sects of Christianity, and African Christianity is no exception. The cross represents the Crucifixion of Jesus and is the embodiment of redemption, death, and faith. The symbol is central to the faith of Christians, so it’s no surprise that it has been implemented into art all over the world. The African take on the cross is particularly beautiful, as they take a uniquely complex and elegant approach to the design. This piece, attributed to Ezra, is the most widely admired as a work unrivaled in its elaborate motif. It is made of wood, most likely a purposeful choice, as wooden crosses are said to possess the power to bless and heal. Some believe that the intricating interlacing at the bottom of the cross symbolizes the Tree of Heaven (also known as the Tree of Paradise), which represents resilience and strength.   Works Cited Ross, Emma George. “African Christianity in Ethiopia.” In Hei

Introduction As someone who was raised in a secular, atheist family, I have always somewhat distanced myself from religious ideas and culture in general. I’ve been generally discouraged from engaging with religion and its more harmful ideologies. However, as of late, I have found myself fascinated by the reach that religion has through culture and arts, such as music and artwork. Religion has been a significant pillar in the lives of many people, and while there are certainly detrimental things that accompany them, these philosophies have also been a great deal of help for some people. They have helped people through times of hardship, such as identity crises and poverty. Some have proven tremendously charitable and benevolent in theory and execution. The same could also be said for art, with much greater outreach and receptiveness. So the expansion of art to include religious figures, scenes, etc. is not the slightest bit surprising. It fact, it all but guarantees that some peop