Greece and the ArtsGreece and the Arts

Two-Dimensional Art, Two-Dimensional Art, Sculpture, and ArchitectureSculpture, and Architecture

Principles Underlying Greek ArtPrinciples Underlying Greek Art

Catchword: Man is the Measure of All Catchword: Man is the Measure of All ThingsThings

Even the Gods were anthropomorphic Even the Gods were anthropomorphic (shaped like humans)(shaped like humans)

Evolved from stylization of Egyptians to Evolved from stylization of Egyptians to NaturalismNaturalism

Emphasis is on balance, ideal forms, and Emphasis is on balance, ideal forms, and the Golden Meanthe Golden Mean

PotteryPottery

Pottery was made of terra cotta (earthenware Pottery was made of terra cotta (earthenware material) which may or may not be glazedmaterial) which may or may not be glazedBlack-figure pottery was popular.Black-figure pottery was popular.Figures were painted in blackFigures were painted in blackDetails were incised with a sharp tool, exposing Details were incised with a sharp tool, exposing the orange clay belowthe orange clay belowVase was fired to turn the painted figures black Vase was fired to turn the painted figures black and the surface areas orangeand the surface areas orangeRed-figure vases involved reversal of this Red-figure vases involved reversal of this processprocessDetails: box on p. 145Details: box on p. 145

Archaic Period: Form Followed Archaic Period: Form Followed FunctionFunction

Hydria: water jug with 3 handles: Hydria: water jug with 3 handles: two for lifting and the top for two for lifting and the top for pouring (upper left)pouring (upper left)Lekythos: flask for pouring oilLekythos: flask for pouring oilKrater: bowl for mixing wine and Krater: bowl for mixing wine and water (lower left)water (lower left)Amphora: vessel for storing olive Amphora: vessel for storing olive oil, wine, honey, or wateroil, wine, honey, or waterKylix: drinking cupKylix: drinking cupOenachoe: jug for pouring wineOenachoe: jug for pouring wine

Examples of Black-Figure PotteryExamples of Black-Figure Pottery

Achilles and Ajax playing Achilles and Ajax playing board game. board game. Achilles killing the Achilles killing the Amazon warrior Amazon warrior Penthesilea, an ally of Penthesilea, an ally of the Trojans the Trojans In this scene, Achilles In this scene, Achilles tragically falls in love tragically falls in love with her as she dies from with her as she dies from her woundher wound

Black Figure Pottery: Olympic Black Figure Pottery: Olympic RacesRaces

This amphora depicts a This amphora depicts a race among contestants at race among contestants at the earliest Olympic gamesthe earliest Olympic games

All contestants competed in All contestants competed in the nude—a good way to the nude—a good way to avoid cheatingavoid cheating

The games were held at The games were held at Olympia in honor of the Olympia in honor of the godsgods

MosaicsMosaics

Mosaics do not appear until the Hellenistic period, when Mosaics do not appear until the Hellenistic period, when Alexander the Great conquered Persia, then Central AsiaAlexander the Great conquered Persia, then Central AsiaThis scene depicts the decisive battle of Issus (Issos) in which This scene depicts the decisive battle of Issus (Issos) in which Alexander defeats Darius; see p. 149Alexander defeats Darius; see p. 149

Sculpture, Classical Greece: Sculpture, Classical Greece: Egyptian InfluencesEgyptian Influences

Archaic Greek statues Archaic Greek statues reflect the proportionality reflect the proportionality of Egyptian sculpture of Egyptian sculpture (left) (left)

Statue Statue KourosKouros show one show one foot forward, hands to foot forward, hands to side in clenched fists side in clenched fists (left)(left)

Kritos Boy shows greater Kritos Boy shows greater naturalism (right)naturalism (right)

Sculpture: Early ClassicalSculpture: Early Classical

Nudity that characterizes Nudity that characterizes much Greek sculpture first much Greek sculpture first appears hereappears hereNudity is characteristic of Nudity is characteristic of males, but not females in this males, but not females in this eraeraFemale figures, remain Female figures, remain clothed, such as Athena, clothed, such as Athena, pictured leftpictured leftEarly classical sculpture is Early classical sculpture is also known for its “archaic also known for its “archaic smile”smile”

Theme of Poseidon/ZeusTheme of Poseidon/Zeus

Whether this is the top god Zeus Whether this is the top god Zeus or the sea god Poseidon or the sea god Poseidon (Neptune to the Romans) (Neptune to the Romans) Depends on inference and Depends on inference and interpretationinterpretationClearly reflects growing Greek Clearly reflects growing Greek interest in athleticsinterest in athleticsMost like, a spear is missing from Most like, a spear is missing from this imagethis imageFocus of his aim, tensing of body, Focus of his aim, tensing of body, and other details emphasize and other details emphasize intensity of purpose intensity of purpose An example of lost wax castingAn example of lost wax casting

Theme of AthleticismTheme of Athleticism

Discus Thrower (far left)Discus Thrower (far left)

Warriors from Race Warriors from Race (middle and right)(middle and right)

Some of the sculptors Some of the sculptors visited the gymnasium for visited the gymnasium for models of their workmodels of their work

Athletic or not, the Athletic or not, the subjects were depicted as subjects were depicted as well proportioned, a well proportioned, a canon of Greek sculpturecanon of Greek sculpture

Sculpture, Late ClassicSculpture, Late Classic

Toward the late classic, the Toward the late classic, the sculptor Praxiteles adopted an S-sculptor Praxiteles adopted an S-shaped curve in the human formshaped curve in the human formFemale nudes were added to the Female nudes were added to the repertoirerepertoireAphrodite of Knidos (left) reflected Aphrodite of Knidos (left) reflected the new trendthe new trendRight hand modestly hides her Right hand modestly hides her genitalia, while left hand hold her genitalia, while left hand hold her garmentsgarmentsLysippos specialized in portraits Lysippos specialized in portraits and was court sculptor for and was court sculptor for Alexander the Great Alexander the Great

ArchitectureArchitecture

To the Greeks, as elsewhere, temples were To the Greeks, as elsewhere, temples were thought to be houses for the godsthought to be houses for the gods

Called megarons (rectangular structures with Called megarons (rectangular structures with columns, they included a portico, or front porchcolumns, they included a portico, or front porch

The cult statue of the god or goddess was The cult statue of the god or goddess was located in the center. located in the center.

They usually had a decorated pediment, or roof They usually had a decorated pediment, or roof façade, portraying gods or other themesfaçade, portraying gods or other themes

Parts of a Temple: The Doric Order Parts of a Temple: The Doric Order as Example as Example The main column is known as a The main column is known as a shaft, with 20 flutes running shaft, with 20 flutes running lengthwiselengthwise

The foot is known as the stylobateThe foot is known as the stylobate

The top part of the column is The top part of the column is called the neckcalled the neck

See diagram for other parts of the See diagram for other parts of the columncolumn

The Three Orders of ColumnsThe Three Orders of Columns

Comparing the Three OrdersComparing the Three Orders

The three orders are depicted in the prior The three orders are depicted in the prior panelpanelThe Doric is the simplest, with no The Doric is the simplest, with no decoration at the topdecoration at the topThe Ionic contains volutes (scroll shapes) The Ionic contains volutes (scroll shapes) that replace the echinus (the bulge above that replace the echinus (the bulge above the necking) of the Doricthe necking) of the DoricThe Corinthian has a flowery capital just The Corinthian has a flowery capital just above the neckingabove the necking

The Cult Figure of the TempleThe Cult Figure of the Temple

The cult figure occupies the temple centerThe cult figure occupies the temple center

Temple of Zeus: the head god himself in Temple of Zeus: the head god himself in OlympiaOlympia

Acropolis: Hilltop containing the temples in Acropolis: Hilltop containing the temples in AthensAthens

Parthenon: Temple dedicated to AthenaParthenon: Temple dedicated to Athena

Nike Temple: to the goddess of war and victoryNike Temple: to the goddess of war and victory

Erechtheneum: to Athena Pallas as patron of Erechtheneum: to Athena Pallas as patron of AthensAthens

The ParthenonThe Parthenon

The temple was dedicated to The temple was dedicated to Athena (upper left) Athena (upper left) It is surrounded by Doric It is surrounded by Doric columnscolumnsThe statue of Athena stood at The statue of Athena stood at the center (lower left)the center (lower left)““Parthenon” is derived from Parthenon” is derived from the term “virgin,” which myth the term “virgin,” which myth says she wassays she wasThe temple is embellished by The temple is embellished by friezes on the inner part of friezes on the inner part of the temple and by others in the temple and by others in the pediments.the pediments.

The PedimentsThe Pediments

Pediments are the triangles on either ene of a Pediments are the triangles on either ene of a gabled roof, usually with decorationgabled roof, usually with decorationThe left side of the east pediment depicts The left side of the east pediment depicts Athena’s birth from the forehead of ZeusAthena’s birth from the forehead of ZeusThey also depict three goddesses: Persephone, They also depict three goddesses: Persephone, Demeter, and either Hebe or IrisDemeter, and either Hebe or IrisThe right side of the east pediment depict horses The right side of the east pediment depict horses marking the rise of the sunmarking the rise of the sunThey also depict a reclining male nude, possibly They also depict a reclining male nude, possibly Herakles (Hercules) or DionysusHerakles (Hercules) or Dionysus

Inside (Ionic) FriezeInside (Ionic) Frieze

The inside frieze depicts a procession of The inside frieze depicts a procession of gods, humans, and beastsgods, humans, and beasts

Horses are depicted as small relative to Horses are depicted as small relative to the riders.the riders.

All the heads of the procession are set at All the heads of the procession are set at the same levelthe same level

Shading of the frieze creates the illusion of Shading of the frieze creates the illusion of movementmovement

Inside (Ionic) Frieze: DetailsInside (Ionic) Frieze: Details

Left: Detail from the east pediment of the Left: Detail from the east pediment of the ParthenonParthenonRight: Details from the procession depicted in Right: Details from the procession depicted in the Ionic Frieze, with seated gods and the Ionic Frieze, with seated gods and goddesses witnessing the eventgoddesses witnessing the event

Hellenistic Greek ThemesHellenistic Greek Themes

The Hellenistic Styles anticipate what one The Hellenistic Styles anticipate what one will find for Romewill find for RomeThe architecture emphasizes the value of The architecture emphasizes the value of sizesizeThe arts are extensions of the canons The arts are extensions of the canons begun in Classical Greecebegun in Classical GreecePortraits assume a greater importancePortraits assume a greater importanceMuch Hellenic and Hellenistic art is copied Much Hellenic and Hellenistic art is copied by Romansby Romans

Architecture: Altar of ZeusArchitecture: Altar of Zeus

Given to larger, monumental forms than that of Classical Given to larger, monumental forms than that of Classical Greece.Greece.The Altar of Zeus at Pergamon, Asia Minor, The Altar of Zeus at Pergamon, Asia Minor, commemorating a battle with the invading Gaulscommemorating a battle with the invading Gauls

Statuary RealismStatuary Realism

Themes of statue are victory of intellect Themes of statue are victory of intellect over barbarism, Olympian gods over over barbarism, Olympian gods over TitansTitansAthena triumphs over Male, son of the Athena triumphs over Male, son of the Earth MotherEarth MotherLacoLacoőn and sons captured by sea őn and sons captured by sea serpent sent by Athena (lower left)serpent sent by Athena (lower left)This is in revenge for his warning the This is in revenge for his warning the Trojans of an impeding attackTrojans of an impeding attackThe Hellenic ideal form is displaced by The Hellenic ideal form is displaced by realism that also portray children and realism that also portray children and the agingthe agingThis anticipates Roman sculptureThis anticipates Roman sculpture

Other Sculpture: Nike and Other Sculpture: Nike and AphroditeAphrodite

The The Winged Victory Winged Victory gives a sense of gives a sense of movement as the wind whips against movement as the wind whips against Nike’s garmentNike’s garmentNike descends from the heavens on the Nike descends from the heavens on the prow of a ship to celebrate a naval prow of a ship to celebrate a naval victoryvictoryAphrodite de MelosAphrodite de Melos (aka (aka Venus de MiloVenus de Milo) ) continues the trend toward a fleshier continues the trend toward a fleshier style than classic proportionsstyle than classic proportionsThe same trend emphasizes the The same trend emphasizes the sensuality begun by Praxitcles sensuality begun by Praxitcles Aphrodite of Knidos Aphrodite of Knidos

ConclusionConclusion

This sample illustrates the following trendsThis sample illustrates the following trendsFrom formalism to naturalism in sculpture and From formalism to naturalism in sculpture and the two-dimensional artsthe two-dimensional artsImportance of male nudity, followed much later Importance of male nudity, followed much later by female nudityby female nudityThe emergence of three distinct columns: Doric, The emergence of three distinct columns: Doric, Ionic, and CorinthianIonic, and CorinthianThe emergence of temples dedicated to The emergence of temples dedicated to particular gods: Zeus, Athena, Nikeparticular gods: Zeus, Athena, NikeThe emergence of portrait and realism in the The emergence of portrait and realism in the Hellenistic periodHellenistic period