Videos

Humans have shaped the landscape to create massive works of art, like the Nazca Lines, that we call geoglyphs for thousands of years. What are geoglyphs? The Nazca Lines in Peru are among the most famous examples—over 800 miles of monumental geoglyphs depicting animals, plants, and abstract shapes. These figures, including a hummingbird, a monkey, and even a giant, are best seen from above. Learn what a geoglyph exactly is in this video. Main artworks: Nazca Lines, c. 500 BCE–500 CE, geoglyphs in the Nazca Desert, Peru 🔔 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more videos about art history, history, and archaeology! It really helps our small channel and we really appreciate it. 🖼️ We’d love your support on Patreon so that we can devote more time to creating materials for free. We appreciate any support you can give. https://www.patreon.com/ARTSQ *CHAPTERS* 0:00 Introduction to the Nazca Lines 0:16 What is a geoglyph? 0:35 Uffington White Horse Geoglyph 0:43 Nazca Lines of Peru 1:17 Subjects of the Nazca Lines 1:54 Spectacular global art forms Speaker: Dr. Lauren Kilroy-Ewbank Learn more about the Nazca Lines: The mysterious Nazca Lines in Peru (the Ancient Andes) https://youtu.be/mEo66o-4c8w ---------------------------- *SUPPORT OUR WORK?* Become a patron to help us create materials for our channel! Patreon—https://www.patreon.com/ARTSQ *WANT TO LEARN MORE? HAVE A QUESTION?* http://artsq.org/ *JOIN OUR COMMUNITIES ON SOCIAL* Instagram—https://www.instagram.com/artsq_official Facebook—https://www.facebook.com/ARTSQofficial #Geoglyphs #NazcaLines #AncientArt #Archaeology #History #Peru #ArtHistory #southamerica #worldhistory #lines #ancientamericas #earthwork #ancientperu #ancientart

A garden party unfolds across a stunning biombo (folding screen) painted in Mexico City between 1720–30, then part of the Viceroyalty of New Spain. But what exactly is a biombo? A biombo is a folding screen that served as a room divider in elite homes. Learn more about how it functioned as a room divider and how its form was inspired by objects from Japan that came to colonial Mexico via the Manila Galleon trade. This video is perfect for anyone looking to learn more about: ✅ Biombos ✅ Mexican art ✅ New Spain ✅ Colonial art ✅ Baroque art ✅ Folding screen ✅ Byobu ✅ Japanese influence in Latin America ✅ Spanish colonial art ✅ Manila Galleons ✅ Art History ✅ Latin American Art ❤️ We’d love your support on Patreon so we can devote more time to creating materials for free. We appreciate any support you can give. https://www.patreon.com/ARTSQ 🖼️ Main Object: Garden Party on the Terrace of a Country Home, c. 1720–30 CE, folding screen, oil paint on canvas with gold, Mexico. Denver Art Museum. 🔔 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more videos about art history, history, and archaeology! It really helps our small channel, and we appreciate it. Speaker: Dr. Lauren Kilroy-Ewbank *CHAPTERS* 0:00 What is a biombo and what is the Viceroyalty of New Spain? 0:47 Making biombos and experiencing them 1:05 Biombos in elite homes as room dividers 1:41 Typical subjects of biombos 1:56 Connections with Asian Art and Japanese folding screens on the Manial Galleon Trade ---------------------------- *WANT TO LEARN MORE? HAVE A QUESTION?* http://artsq.org/ *INTERESTED IN SUPPORTING OUR WORK?* Become a patron to help us create materials for our channel! Patreon—https://www.patreon.com/ARTSQ *JOIN OUR COMMUNITIES ON SOCIAL* Instagram—https://www.instagram.com/artsq_official Facebook—https://www.facebook.com/ARTSQofficial #ArtHistory #baroqueart #mexicanart #foldingscreen #mexico #newspain #manilagalleon #museumlovers #historicalart #visualculture #historyofart #history #educationalvideo #socialstudies #latinamericanart

Some of the most famous 18th-century colonial Mexican paintings are the stunning monjas coronadas (crowned nuns). This unique genre of Spanish colonial art captures a pivotal moment in a young woman’s life—the day she officially became a Catholic nun and took her religious vows in a convent. This video explains the genre of crowned nun portraits. It discusses how a nun’s floral crown, elaborate veil, and symbolic candle and crucifix were all part of the visual tradition of nun profession portraits, a type of art form found in New Spain and other parts of the Spanish Americas. This video is perfect for anyone looking to learn more about: ✅Mexican art ✅New Spain ✅Colonial art ✅Baroque art ✅Women in History ✅Spanish colonial art ✅Portraiture ✅Catholic Traditions ✅Religious Art ✅Art History ✅Latin American Art ❤️ We’d love your support on Patreon so we can devote more time to creating materials for free. We appreciate any support you can give. https://www.patreon.com/ARTSQ 🖼️ Main Object: Portrait of Mother Ana María of the Precious Blood of Christ, 1770 CE, oil on canvas, Mexico. Denver Art Museum. 🔔 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more videos about art history, history, and archaeology! It really helps our small channel, and we appreciate it. Speaker: Dr. Lauren Kilroy-Ewbank *CHAPTERS* 0:00 What is a monja coronada in colonial Mexico? 0:27 How nuns were portrayed in crowned nun portraits 1:15 Flowers on the crowns 1:40 Convents and nuns and the symbolic brides of Christ 2:23 Portraits for a nun’s family --------------------------- *WANT TO LEARN MORE? HAVE A QUESTION?* http://artsq.org/ *INTERESTED IN SUPPORTING OUR WORK?* Become a patron to help us create materials for our channel! Patreon—https://www.patreon.com/ARTSQ *JOIN OUR COMMUNITIES ON SOCIAL* Instagram—https://www.instagram.com/artsq_official Facebook—https://www.facebook.com/ARTSQofficial #ArtHistory #baroqueart #mexicanart #womeninhistory #mexico #newspain #manilagalleon #museumlovers #historyofart #history #educationalvideo #socialstudies #latinamericanart #womenshistory #symbolism

Have you ever stared up at a massive rose window in a Gothic cathedral like Notre-Dame in Paris or Chartres Cathedral and wondered how they were made—or what they mean? Learn about the beauty of Gothic rose windows in iconic medieval cathedrals like Notre-Dame in Paris and Chartres! Explore stained glass, medieval architecture, and the symbolic meaning of these intricate, circular masterpieces. In this video, we discuss the design and religious symbolism of rose windows, which are considered one of the hallmarks of Gothic architecture. Learn about tracery, symmetry, and how colorful stained glass conveyed biblical stories, divine harmony, and heavenly light. 🔔 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more videos about art history, history, and archaeology! It really helps our small channel, and we appreciate it. Join this channel to get access to perks: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNSZVIXd3ZgTFRv9vHJKU8Q/join ❤️ We’d love your support on Patreon so we can devote more time to creating materials for free. We appreciate any support you can give. https://www.patreon.com/ARTSQ Speaker: Dr. Lauren Kilroy-Ewbank *CHAPTERS* 0:00 Introduction to stained glass and rose windows at Notre Dame in Paris and Chartres 0:25 What is a rose window? 1:08 Creating rose windows and tracery 1:40 Subjects of the stained glass and the rose window’s symbolism 2:18 Rose windows and Gothic architecture ---------------------------- *WANT TO LEARN MORE? HAVE A QUESTION?* http://artsq.org/ *INTERESTED IN SUPPORTING OUR WORK?* Become a patron to help us create materials for our channel! Patreon—https://www.patreon.com/ARTSQ *JOIN OUR COMMUNITIES ON SOCIAL* Instagram—https://www.instagram.com/artsq_official #medievalart #gothicarchitecture #stainedglass #notredamecathedral #chartres #medievalarchitecture #arthistory #christianart #gothicart #architecturalhistory #cathedrals #symbolism #historyofart #gothic #medieval

Learn about Cocijo, the rain and lightning god worshipped by the Zapotec people of Oaxaca, Mexico. We focus on representations of Cocijo from the archaeological sites of Lambityeco and Monte Albán, discussing how Cocijo was depicted in art like ceramics and sculptures with attributes like lightning bolts, jade ornaments, and serpent tongues. The video will help you identify these specific attributes so that you can pick out depictions of Cocijo. This short video is part of a series that breaks down key terms in art history, archaeology, and history! This video is perfect for anyone looking to learn more about: ✅ Mesoamerican Art ✅ The Zapotecs ✅ Mesoamerican History ✅ Global Medieval Art ✅ Gods and goddesses ✅ Art History ✅ The Ancient Americas Speaker: Dr. Lauren Kilroy-Ewbank Join this channel to get access to perks: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNSZVIXd3ZgTFRv9vHJKU8Q/join *CHAPTERS* 0:00 Who is Cocijo? 0:40 The Zapotec of Mesoameric 1:09 Cocijo, the god of rain 1:21 Identifying Cocijo in art at Lambityeco 2:34 Identifying Cocijo on other Zapotec objects—an urn from Monte Albán 3:00 Cocijo's importance and connection to Mesoamerican rain deities Check out our entire glossary of art history: https://www.artsq.org/about-key-terms-ideas-art-history ---------------------------- *WANT TO LEARN MORE? HAVE A QUESTION?* http://artsq.org/ *INTERESTED IN SUPPORTING OUR WORK?* Become a patron to help us create materials for our channel! Patreon—https://www.patreon.com/ARTSQ *JOIN OUR COMMUNITIES ON SOCIAL* Instagram—https://www.instagram.com/artsq_official Facebook—https://www.facebook.com/ARTSQofficial #arthistory #mesoamerica #symbolisminart #precolumbian #zapotec #rain #mythology #mexicanart #montealban #oaxaca #archaeology #archaeologicalfinds #educationalvideo #tlaloc #historyofart

This beautifully decorated medieval ivory box is known as the Pyxis of al-Mughira. What is a pyxis? This video defines the term pyxis and discusses its function and material. This specific pyxis was created in the 10th century in medieval Iberia (Spain and Portugal) when it was known as al-Andalus. Boxes like these were often given as gifts, and this one may have been a gift for the Umayyad prince al-Mughira. We continue to expand our glossary of art history terms, focusing on symbols and subject matter, techniques, forms and formats, and architectural terms. Please support our work as a patron to help us create materials for our channel! Patreon—https://www.patreon.com/ARTSQ Main object: Pyxis of al-Mughira, 968 CE / AH 357, ivory, 16cm x 11.8 cm, possibly from Madinat al-Zahra in Spain. Louvre Museum, Paris. *CHAPTERS* 0:00 Introduction to the Pyxis of al-Mughira 0:15 Defining Pyxis 0:44 Pyxides in the Ancient Mediterranean 0:56 The Umayyads and the Iberian Peninsula 1:16 Luxury objects and ivory 2:02 A gift for the Umayyad Prince al-Mughira Speaker: Dr. Lauren Kilroy-Ewbank ---------------------------- *SUPPORT OUR WORK?* Become a patron to help us create materials for our channel! Patreon—https://www.patreon.com/ARTSQ *WANT TO LEARN MORE? HAVE A QUESTION?* http://artsq.org/ *JOIN OUR COMMUNITIES ON SOCIAL* Instagram—https://www.instagram.com/artsq_official Facebook—https://www.facebook.com/ARTSQofficial #iberia #medieval #arthistory #umayyad #andalusia #pyxis #islamichistory #ivory #medievalart #spain #historyofart #learningisfun #middleages #historyfacts #medievalhistory

One of the most fascinating ancient Maya city-states is Yaxchilán, on the border of Mexico and Guatemala. This remote archaeological site is famous for its incredible art and architecture—especially its intricately carved lintels! But what exactly is a lintel? And why are the lintels of Yaxchilán so important? In this video, we’ll focus on Lintel 25 from Structure 23, which features Lady K’abal Xook (sometimes spelled Xoc), and uncover how these architectural elements served as more than just structural supports—they were powerful records of Maya history and rulers. 🔔 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more videos about art history, history, and archaeology! It really helps our small channel and we really appreciate it. We’d love your support on Patreon so that we can devote more time to creating materials for free. We appreciate any support you can give. https://www.patreon.com/ARTSQ Main object: Lintel 25 showing Lady K'abal Xook, Maya, c. 681 CE, Classic Period, limestone, from Structure 23, Yaxchilán, Chiapas, Mexico. The British Museum *CHAPTERS* 0:00 Introduction to lintels at Yaxchilán 0:35 Defining lintel 0:55 More about lintels at Yaxchilán 1:13 Lintel 25 of Lady Xook from Structure 23 1:45 Viewing carved lintels at Yaxchilán 1:58 Ways of recording history and power Speaker: Dr. Lauren Kilroy-Ewbank ---------------------------- *SUPPORT OUR WORK?* Become a patron to help us create materials for our channel! Patreon—https://www.patreon.com/ARTSQ *WANT TO LEARN MORE? HAVE A QUESTION?* http://artsq.org/ *JOIN OUR COMMUNITIES ON SOCIAL* Instagram—https://www.instagram.com/artsq_official Facebook—https://www.facebook.com/ARTSQofficial #mesoamerica #arthistory #mexico #archaeology #mayans #historyofart #britishmuseum #medievalart #ancientamerica #glossary #learningisfun #history #ancientamerica #lintel #famousart

Who is the deity Tlaloc in Mesoamerica? What role does this divine being play in the Aztec pantheon? This video answers these questions by looking at a vessel showing the rain god Tlaloc in the Templo Mayor site museum in Mexico City. Its unmistakable turquoise color, called Maya Blue, is eye-catching and connects to the important role that Tlaloc played in Aztec religion. This video describes who Tlaloc was and what this deity symbolized for the Aztecs or Mexica in Mesoamerica. Looking for readings, activities, and more to deepen your understanding of the Aztecs and Mesoamerica? Check out our resources: https://www.artsq.org/store/mesoamerica *CHAPTERS* 0:00 Who is Tlaloc and what role does he play in the Aztec pantheon? 0:27 Tlaloc’s blue color and features 0:45 Rain, caves, and the Templo Mayor Check out our entire glossary of art history: https://www.artsq.org/about-key-terms-ideas-art-history Speaker: Dr. Lauren Kilroy-Ewbank ---------------------------- *WANT TO LEARN MORE? HAVE A QUESTION?* http://artsq.org/ *INTERESTED IN SUPPORTING OUR WORK?* Become a patron to help us create materials for our channel! Patreon—https://www.patreon.com/ARTSQ *JOIN OUR COMMUNITIES ON SOCIAL* Instagram—https://www.instagram.com/artsq_official Facebook—https://www.facebook.com/ARTSQofficial #aztec #ArtHistory #mesoamerica #Glossary #Archaeology #SocialStudies #rain #Vocabulary #aztecs #art #tlaloc #educationalvideo #symbolism #mexico #mexicocity