Articles written by W. Hommel
All 25 articles written by W. Hommel
Amarna Art: Akhenaten, Portraiture and Aten
Category: Classical Art History (general)
The defining characteristics of Amarna art include: distorted facial features, elongated eyes, large ears and lips, a protruding chin, and highly defined cheekbones. more...
Apollo and Athena in Greek Culture: Ideas of Righteousness, Wisdom, Chastity and Warfare
Category: Greek History
The Greek Gods Apollo and Athena embody several imortant aspects of Greek Society: Warfare, Justice, Chastity and Wisdom. more...
Aztec Ear Spools, Tools, Figurines: Teotihuacan, Toltec, Mixtec
Category: Archaeological Artifacts
In the Preclassic era, obsidian was used for creating ear spools, tools and jewerly. Earspools therefore, became a popular motif on Aztec and Toltec figurines. more...
Hadrian's Villa: The Piazza d’Oro and the Canopus
Category: Archaeological Buildings
Explore architecture from Hadrian's Villa: How did Hadrian's taste in design differ from previous architects? What were Hadrian's "Pumpkins?" more...
Shaft Graves at Mycenae: Grave Circle A and Grave Circle B
Category: Archaeological Burial Practices
What kinds of artifacts were unearthed from the graves of Mycenae? What was their importance? Is "The Death Mask of Agamemnon" real or a hoax? more...
Monasteries and Art: Reliquaries, Icons and other Scared Objects
Category: Medieval Art
What is a monastery? Why were they responsible for preserving numerous artifacts? more...
Buddha and the Four Noble Truths: Dukkha, Rising of Dukkha, Nirvana and the Path Leading to Nirvana
Category: Buddhism/Taoism (general)
This article provides an overview of the main concepts of Buddhism and their meanings. more...
What is Yin and Yang?: The Soul, Taichi and Oracle Bones
Category: Buddhism/Taoism (general)
What is the origin and meaning of this ancient symbol? Does the Taoist concept of Yin/Yang differ from the Buddhist concept? more...
Angels, Icons & Religious Imagery: Images of Christianity in Byzantine Egypt
Category: Medieval Art
How were angels depicted in early Christian art? Why were they used on icons from Byzantine Egypt? more...
Taoist Ancestor Worship: Oracle Bones and The Festival of the Dead (Half Seven)
Category: Taoist Beliefs
Why is ancestor worship important for Taoists? What is The Festival of the Spirits of the Dead? more...
The Qin and Han Dynasties: China’s Early Dynasties and The Emergence of Taoism
Category: Taoist History
When did Taoism become popular in Chinese society? How did this religion expand in the Han Dynasty? more...
Concept of Jacob’s Ladder: Exploring the Philosophical Meaning of The Ladder of Heaven
Category: Western Philosophy
"Jacob's Ladder" is a biblical concept, but for Hermetic philosophers it was also symbolic of man's transformation, and his connection to the universe. more...
Androgyny in Alchemy and Mysticism: Sol and Luna in Hermetic Philosophy
Category: Western Philosophy
What is the concept of Sol and Luna in Hermetic Philosophy? Explore the origins of this fascinating belief through illustrated manuscripts and alchemical texts. more...
Kundalini in Hermetic Philosophy: Serpent Power, Caduceus and Yogic Tradition
Category: Western Philosophy
"Kundalini" was a popular concept with Hermetic philosophers. It is favored in the West today for its mediation qualities. more...
Images of the Egyptian Goddess Nut: Iconography and Meaning
Category: Classical Art History (general)
Who was the Egyptian Goddess Nut, and why were depictions of her unique in Egyptian art? Why was her image used on coffin sarcophagi? more...
Portraits of Alexander the Great: Lysippos, Sculpture, Coins and Paintings
Category: Archaeological Artifacts
Lysippos was the only artist authorized to make Alexander's image. He wanted to convey Alexander's arete (virtue) and ethos (personal character). more...
Nero's Golden House: The Domus Aurea and the Equiline Wing
Category: Archaeological Buildings
Nero might have been crazy, but architecture produced under his reign exposes a different side to this mad emperor. more...
Mycenaean Terracotta Figurines: Helladic Female Votives
Category: Archaeological Artifacts
What are Mycenaean votive figurines? Learn how to identify the three types (Phi, Psi and Tau) and their origin. more...
The Berlin Painter: Late Archaic Red-Figure Vase Paintings
Category: Archaeological Artifacts
Who is the "Berlin Painter," and why is his work important? Explore the history of Red-Figure vase painting in Late Archaic Greece. more...
What are Illuminated Manuscripts?: The Technique of Medieval Illustrations
Category: Medieval Art
How did Medieval artisans create Illuminated Manuscripts? What was their purpose in society? more...
The Black Death and Medieval Art: Images of the Macabre in Illuminated Manuscripts
Category: Medieval Art
Images of death and the macabre produced during the Medieval era were highly influenced by the Black Plague that spread across Europe during the mid-14th century. more...
Lao Tzu: The Old Master and The Tao Te Ching
Category: Taoist History
Who is Lao Tzu, and what were some of his teachings? Did he really exist? Explore the history behind one of Taoism's most important figures. more...
Taoism vs. Buddhism and Shinto: What are the Differences Between These Three Eastern Religions?
Category: Taoist Beliefs
Understanding Buddhism and Shinto is important for Taoists, because many people across Asia practice Shinto, Taoism and Buddhism side by side. more...
Introduction to Taoist Art: Wu-Wei, Sumi-e, Chinese Pottery and The Silk Road
Category: Taoist History
What are the "origins" of Taoist art? Explore art of China's earliest dynasties, as well as the role of Taoist artists in feudal society. more...
Serpents in Hermetic Philosophy: Snake Ring of Eternity, Alchemical Texts and Cosmic Time
Category: Western Philosophy
Snakes, serpents and dragons were a popular theme in alchemical texts and picture books. What is their importance, and how did this tradition begin? more...
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