Videos

Who is the god Apedemak of the Kingdom of Kush in Ancient Africa? Learn about Apedemak, the ancient Nubian lion-headed god of war, fertility, and power, by looking at a fascinating artifact from the Kingdom of Kush! Apedemak was a significant deity worshipped exclusively in ancient Nubia (much of modern-day Sudan). Crafted in the 2nd century BCE, this artifact was discovered at the Lion Temple of Meroë, the later capital of Kush. The inscription on the plaque reveals its dedication to Apedemak and King Tanyidamani. Learn more about Apedemak’s associations and how he is depicted in the video! This video is perfect for anyone looking to learn more about: ✅ Ancient Africa ✅ Ancient Art ✅ Ancient Nubia and the Kingdom of Kush ✅ Religious Art ✅ Art History ✅ African Art Speaker: Dr. Lauren Kilroy-Ewbank Join this channel to get access to perks: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNSZVIXd3ZgTFRv9vHJKU8Q/join *CHAPTERS* 0:00 A plaque fragment showing Apedemak of ancient Nubia 0:23 A lion-headed god of war 0:48 Connections with ancient Egypt 1:06 Apedemak's other associations 1:43 The other side showing King Tanyidamani 2:03 The Lion Temple of Meroë 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 #AncientNubia #Apedemak #KingdomOfKush #Meroë #AncientHistory #AfricanHistory #LionTemple #ArtHistory #Archaeology #EgyptianArt #Deities #SymbolismInArt #AfricanArt #AncientArt

Learn about the mysterious Staff God of ancient Peru on this gold plaque from the Chavín culture, made 400–300 BCE. This golden plaque displays the Staff God, who was an important figure revered across the ancient Andes. The Staff God blends snakes, jaguars, and birds of prey, symbolizing power in Andean art. Chavín artists used complex visual illusions known as "contour rivalry," challenging viewers to see multiple figures. Staff God imagery persisted in Andean cultures for thousands of years, from Chavín de Huántar to Tiwanaku. 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: ✅ Chavín Art ✅ The Ancient Andes ✅ Andean History ✅ Global Ancient 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 A golden plaque 0:16 Chavín culture 0:37 The Staff God 1:35 Contour Rivalry 1:49 The Andean Highlands and Peruvian Amazonia 2:07 Other images of the Staff God: Raimondi Stela, Crowns, and Chavín de Huántar 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 #ancientPeru #AncientHistory #AndeanArt #ChavinDeHuantar #ArtHistory #AncientAndes #History #ancientcivilizations #southamerica #peru #godsandgoddesses #archaeology #ancientamerica #educationalvideo #historyofart

Explore Sainte-Chapelle in Paris and learn the significance of the fleur-de-lis, a symbol that represents French royalty, the Virgin Mary, saints, and more. The 13th-century Gothic royal chapel in the Île de la Cité in Paris is famous for its stained glass windows. It was commissioned by King Louis IX of France, who is also associated with the fleur-de-lis. For observers who look closely at the stained glass and wall paintings in the royal chapel, they will discover that the interior is filled with fleur-de-lis symbols! 🔔 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 Sainte-Chapelle in Paris 0:26 What is the fleur-de-lis? 0:55 The fleur-de-lis in Sainte-Chapelle 1:09 The Virgin Mary and the lily 1:27 Associations with French royalty and saints 2:07 The popular symbol of the fleur-de-lis and the flag of Florence, Italy ---------------------------- *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 #saintechapelle #fleurdelis #medievalarchitecture #arthistory #christianart #gothicart #architecturalhistory #chapel #symbolism #historyofart #gothic #medieval

A fierce feline, probably a jaguar, is carved onto a stone metate from Nicoya, Costa Rica, between 500–1000 CE. In this video, we explore what a metate is, how it was used for grinding grains like maize (corn), and why some metates, like this one, were elaborately decorated and reserved for ceremonial or symbolic use rather than everyday food preparation. Perfect for anyone interested in: ✅ ancient Costa Rican art ✅ pre-Columbian cultures ✅ Mesoamerican symbolism ✅ Art History ✅ Ancient Americas ✅ Global Medieval Art This short video is part of a series that breaks down key terms in art history, archaeology, and history! Speaker: Dr. Lauren Kilroy-Ewbank Join this channel to get access to perks: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNSZVIXd3ZgTFRv9vHJKU8Q/join *CHAPTERS* 0:00 What is a metate? 0:34 Nicoya region in Costa Rica and metates 0:54 Metate forms in Nicoya 1:10 Ceremonial Metate 1:53 Felines and power 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 #costarica #precolumbian #nicoya #indigenousart #jaguar #historyofart #guanacaste #medievalart #archaeology #archaeologicalfinds #educationalvideo #maize #historyofart

Learn the purpose and symbolism behind ancient Egyptian canopic jars, used in the mummification process to preserve vital organs for the afterlife. In this video, we explore how a set of four painted limestone jars from the Walters Art Museum helps us understand ancient Egyptian religious beliefs about the afterlife. Learn about the four Sons of Horus, how organs were embalmed, and why these jars were essential to Egyptian burial practices. 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: ✅ Ancient Egypt ✅ Mummification ✅ Ancient Africa ✅ Global Ancient Art ✅ Gods and goddesses ✅ Art History ✅ Burial practices and the afterlife Speaker: Dr. Lauren Kilroy-Ewbank Join this channel to get access to perks: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNSZVIXd3ZgTFRv9vHJKU8Q/join *CHAPTERS* 0:00 Mummification in Ancient Egypt 0:16 Canopic jars 0:52 The term canopic and Canopus 1:12 Decorations on the lids and the Four Sons of Horus 1:56 Canopic jars in the New Kingdom 2:19 Canopic chests 2:35 Canopic jars in the Third Intermediate Period 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 #ancienEgypt #AncientHistory #Mummification #EgyptianArt #ArtHistory #History #ancientcivilizations #egyptianhistory #godsandgoddesses #archaeology #educationalvideo #historyofart #mummies #tombs #burial

Who is the Red Queen of Palenque? In this video, we focus on the 1994 discovery of an elite ancient Maya woman’s tomb inside Temple XIII at the ancient city of Palenque. Likely the wife of Pakal the Great, Lady Ix Tz’akbu Ajaw, the Red Queen was buried in the 7th century with precious objects made of jade, obsidian, shell, and malachite, including her death mask. Her richly adorned tomb offers insight into the role of royal women, Maya funerary traditions, and the symbolism of materials like cinnabar and jade. This video is perfect for: ✅ Middle and high school students studying ancient civilizations ✅ Educators teaching ancient Maya history, archaeology, or art history ✅ Lifelong learners curious about ancient tombs and royal women ✅ Fans of Mesoamerican culture and archaeology ✅ Anyone interested in Palenque, Pakal the Great, or ancient Maya queenship ✅ Anyone interested in the history of women Speaker: Dr. Lauren Kilroy-Ewbank 🔔 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. Join this channel membership to get access to perks: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNSZVIXd3ZgTFRv9vHJKU8Q/join *CHAPTERS* 0:00 Introduction to the Maya city-state Palenque and a 1994 discovery 0:25 Who was the Red Queen of Palenque? 0:46 Proximity ot the Temple of the Inscriptions and relationship to Pakal 0:55 Cinnabar 1:12 Lady Ix Tz’akbu Ajaw, wife of Pakal 1:38 Burial objects 2:53 Tombs tell us about Maya women Check out our entire glossary of art history: https://www.artsq.org/about-key-terms-ideas-art-history Learn about Pakal’s death mask and the discovery of his tomb: https://www.artsq.org/king-pakal-of-palenque-ancient-maya ---------------------------- *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 #queen #arthistory #mexico #archaeology #mayans #historyofart #womeninhistory #medievalart #ancientamerica #palenque #learningisfun #history #ancientamerica #pakal

Who was Hernán Cortés and what is a conquistador? Focus on one of the only surviving portraits of the conquistador who led the conquest of the Aztec Empire in 1521. This 1529 portrait shows Hernán Cortés, the Spanish conquistador who played a central role in the fall of the Aztec Empire. In this video, learn what the word conquistador means, how these figures operated as both soldiers and diplomats, and what their armor and symbols of power (like coats of arms) tell us about European colonization and status in the 16th century. Discover how this rare portrait helps us understand the visual legacy of Cortés and the global consequences of Spanish imperial expansion in the Americas. This video is perfect for anyone looking to learn more about: ✅Mexican art ✅New Spain ✅Colonial art ✅Spanish colonial art ✅Portraiture ✅Spanish Colonization and Conquest ✅Art History ✅Latin American Art Speaker: Dr. Lauren Kilroy-Ewbank ❤️ 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 🔔 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. *CHAPTERS* 0:00 Defining the word conquistador with a portrait of Hernán Cortés 0:59 Who are conquistadors? 1:25 Soldiers and armor 2:27 Coat-of-arms 2:56 Portraits of Cortés --------------------------- *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 #hernancortes #conquistador #aztecempire #spanishconquest #colonialhistory #worldhistory #historyeducation #arthistory #renaissance #mexico #mexicanhistory #colonization #socialstudies #historyexplained

What is foreshortening in art? Learn about this technique by focusing on David Alfaro Siqueiros’s striking self-portrait. He used dramatic foreshortening to create drama, depth, and motion. In this video, we explore how Mexican muralist Siqueiros, one of “los tres grandes,” pushes foreshortening to its limits in his self-portrait. His use of radical angles, rough textures, and experimental materials pulls viewers into the painting. We also look at Italian renaissance artist Andrea Mantegna’s Dead Christ to compare how artists across time have wrestled with this technique. This video is perfect for anyone looking to learn more about: ✅Mexican art ✅Formal techniques in art ✅Modern Art ✅Mexican modernism ✅ Mexican muralists ✅Portraiture ✅Art History ✅Latin American Art Speaker: Dr. Lauren Kilroy-Ewbank ❤️ 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 🔔 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. *CHAPTERS* 0:00 Defining foreshortening? 0:36 Siqueiros and Los Tres Grandes 0:53 Siqueiros’s Self-Portrait 2:08 Andrea Mantegna’s Dead Christ 2:37 A radical extreme --------------------------- *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 #selfportrait #mexicanart #mantegna #renaissance #mexico #socialstudies #painting #paintingtechniques #history #learningisfun #educationalvideo #socialstudies #historyofart