GREEK ART GREEK ART The Ideal in Everything

Dates Archaic Greece 900 – 510 BC Archaic Greece 900 – 510 BC Classical Period 510 – 404 BC Classical Period 510 – 404 BC Hellenistic Period 404 – 146 BC Hellenistic Period 404 – 146 BC

About The Greeks The Ancient Greeks are known for three main items; their sculptures, their temples, and their vase paintings. The art work embodies much of what made the Greek civilization great. The Ancient Greeks were organized into independent city-states. In these states the ideas of courage, valor, and independence where strongly held values. These themes can be seen very clearly in their human depictions. The Ancient Greeks are known for three main items; their sculptures, their temples, and their vase paintings. The art work embodies much of what made the Greek civilization great. The Ancient Greeks were organized into independent city-states. In these states the ideas of courage, valor, and independence where strongly held values. These themes can be seen very clearly in their human depictions.

The Greeks idealized humans, showing the strong and youthful depiction of men and women. The topics shown in their vases reflect the importance of strength, athletic competition, and battles. Their temples reflected their religious beliefs in the gods. The Greeks idealized humans, showing the strong and youthful depiction of men and women. The topics shown in their vases reflect the importance of strength, athletic competition, and battles. Their temples reflected their religious beliefs in the gods.

The "Agamemnon" Mask Gold, from Tomb V at Mycenae Sixteenth century BC National Archeological Museum, Athens

Mythology/Belief Greek mythology is the body of stories belonging to the ancient Greeks, concerning their gods and heroes, the nature of the world and their own cult and ritual practices. Greek mythology is the body of stories belonging to the ancient Greeks, concerning their gods and heroes, the nature of the world and their own cult and ritual practices. Their ways of life, traditions, art and architecture is based on their strong belief in their gods. Their ways of life, traditions, art and architecture is based on their strong belief in their gods.

Greek mythology consists, in part, of a large collection of narratives that explain the origins of the world and detail the lives and adventures of a wide variety of gods, goddesses, heroes, heroines, and other mythological creatures. Greek mythology consists, in part, of a large collection of narratives that explain the origins of the world and detail the lives and adventures of a wide variety of gods, goddesses, heroes, heroines, and other mythological creatures. Central Greek concept is the human figure was the principle motif of Greek art. Central Greek concept is the human figure was the principle motif of Greek art.

Greek Art Their style progressed from a stiff looking structured style and rendering (Archaic Period) to a more free flowing action depiction. (Hellenistic Period) Their style progressed from a stiff looking structured style and rendering (Archaic Period) to a more free flowing action depiction. (Hellenistic Period) Successive styles increase in Ideal Human proportions, realistic features, movement. Successive styles increase in Ideal Human proportions, realistic features, movement.

Characteristic’s of Their Painting Geometric Style (c BC) characterized by stylized motifs Geometric Style (c BC) characterized by stylized motifs Geometric Style Geometric Style Simple black figures. Geometric Shapes Simple black figures. Geometric Shapes The purpose was to tell a story rather then perfect the human form. The purpose was to tell a story rather then perfect the human form.

Famous Pottery Their figures improved as time went on. Their figures improved as time went on. Vase with Ajax and Achilles Playing Morra. 540 BC Vase with Ajax and Achilles Playing Morra. 540 BC Vase painting told stories about gods and heroes of Greek Myth. Vase painting told stories about gods and heroes of Greek Myth. Figures more life like. Figures more life like. Exekia’s, uses detail to make the scene as realistic as possible Exekia’s, uses detail to make the scene as realistic as possible

Ajax and Achilles Intricate design on garments, facial features, hands, faces carefully drawn.Intricate design on garments, facial features, hands, faces carefully drawn. It shows great compositional skill, centre to the eye is the board game.It shows great compositional skill, centre to the eye is the board game. Figures lean forward and curve of their backs-repeat the curve of the vase.Figures lean forward and curve of their backs-repeat the curve of the vase.

Red Figure

Black figure Pottery Black figure Pottery Black Figure Black Figure (c BC) black coated surface that was scratched into, example: Ajax Commiting Suicide by Exekias, 525 B.C

Sculpture The Evolution of Greek Sculpture

Archaic Period The Archaic period was the earliest period in Greek Sculpture which started around 600 B.C. and lasted until 480 B.C. These works have a stiff and ridged appearance similar to that of the Egyptian sculpture. The Archaic period was the earliest period in Greek Sculpture which started around 600 B.C. and lasted until 480 B.C. These works have a stiff and ridged appearance similar to that of the Egyptian sculpture.

Kouros 600 BC statue National Museum, Athens Archaic Period Famous Sculpture Grave Sculpture Similar to the Egyptians, but not supported, and nude.

Kouros Characteristic of the Kouros Characteristic of the Kouros The Kouros male represented a god or athlete. The Kouros male represented a god or athlete. The only suggestion of movement is in the left foot. The only suggestion of movement is in the left foot. Symmetrically balanced Symmetrically balanced

The Ideal Man Characteristic of Sculpture Beautiful, young Beautiful, young Intelligent Intelligent Strong/physically fit Strong/physically fit

The Ideal Woman Demure (eyes looking down) Demure (eyes looking down) Beautiful (good hair, good clothes) Beautiful (good hair, good clothes) Ready to serve, have babies, do as she is told. Ready to serve, have babies, do as she is told. Young Young

Hera of Samos c b.c. 6 “ tall Korai were clothed women, often goddesses Style –straight vertical lines repeated, folds gently over the subtle curves of the figure Over six feet tall-impressive symbol of authority and dignity

Humanism Human proportions were used in architecture, math calculations

Classical Sculpture Characterisitcs showed joyous freedom of movement and expression, while celebrating mankind as an independent entity Characterisitcs showed joyous freedom of movement and expression, while celebrating mankind as an independent entity The Classical age could be seen as a turning point in art. The Classical age could be seen as a turning point in art. Showed joyous freedom of movement and expression, while celebrating mankind as an independent entity. Showed joyous freedom of movement and expression, while celebrating mankind as an independent entity.

Discobolos c. 450 BC Roman marble copy after the bronze original by Myron height 155 cm (61 in) Museo Nazionale, Rome Life size statue Sculptor Myron Skillfully captured an athlete in action. Strength into a mighty throw-face completely calm Throwing arm is frozen for a split second Details shows Myron had thorough understanding of anatomy The athlete's right leg bears ll his weight.

Contrapposto A famous sculptor by the name of Polyclitus started creating sculptures in a certain kind of pose. A famous sculptor by the name of Polyclitus started creating sculptures in a certain kind of pose. A pose in which the weight of the body is balanced on one leg while the other is free and relaxed. A pose in which the weight of the body is balanced on one leg while the other is free and relaxed.

Polyclitus, Doryphoros ( spear bearer) c.440 B.C. Roman Copy of Greek Original The left leg is bent and the toes lightly touch the ground Body turns slightly gives the figure a freer more lifelike look Right hip and left shoulder are raised; head tips forward and turns right Action is kept to a minimum, feeling of athletic strength

Procession of Horsemen, from the west frieze of the Parthenon. c. 440 B.C. 43” high British Museum, London, England Moving figures bunch up in some places and spread out in others. Strong sense of movement in the spirited prancing of the horses. Movement is suggested by pattern of light and shadow in the carved drapery.

Hellenistic Sculpture Sculptures become more knowledgeable about the human form and thus become more skillful and confident. Sculptures become more knowledgeable about the human form and thus become more skillful and confident. They created dramatic movement and often violent images. They created dramatic movement and often violent images. The sculptors were particularly interested in facial expressions and emotions. The sculptors were particularly interested in facial expressions and emotions. Because of this breakthrough. The Sculpture lacks the symmetrical balance and harmony of the archaic and classical period. Because of this breakthrough. The Sculpture lacks the symmetrical balance and harmony of the archaic and classical period.

Hellenistic Sculpture There also came more detail and fully clothed figures carved to show deep folds of the drapery There also came more detail and fully clothed figures carved to show deep folds of the drapery the Hellenistic period, started a little before 300 B.C. the Hellenistic period, started a little before 300 B.C.

Athena Marble, h. 173 cm (5 1/2 ft) First-century copy after a fifth-century BC original by Myron Found in the Gardens of Lucullus, Rome Liebighaus Museum, Frankfurt

Hagesandros, Athenodoros and Polydoros of Rhodes Laocoon and his sons c BC Marble, height 242 cm (95 1/2 in) Museo Pio Clementino, Vatican

The Dying Gaul

Head of a Blond Youth Marble Around 485 BC Acropolis Museum, Athens

Venus de Milo Parian marble, h 2.02 m (6 1/2 ft) Found at Milo BC Musee du Louvre, Paris

Nike, or Winged Victory of Winged Victory (Nike) of Samothrace Marble, h m (11 ft) Found on the island of Rhodes Around 190 BC Musee du Louvre, Paris

Architecture Progression of Architecture

Purpose Built in honor of Gods and Goddesses. Built in honor of Gods and Goddesses. Rituals and sacrifices took place on the steps of many of the temples to pay tribute to the God or Goddess the temple was built for. Rituals and sacrifices took place on the steps of many of the temples to pay tribute to the God or Goddess the temple was built for.

No ordinary people were allowed on the inside since the building was held so sacred. No ordinary people were allowed on the inside since the building was held so sacred. Therefore the temples were more decorative on the outside rather than the inside. Therefore the temples were more decorative on the outside rather than the inside.

The progression of architecture can easily be determined by the columns. The progression of architecture can easily be determined by the columns. DoricIonic Corinthian

The Parthenon, Acropolis Athens Greece, c. 447 B.C.

The Golden Section Scholars believe that Greek Architects use the concept known as the golden Section to design and construct buildings. Scholars believe that Greek Architects use the concept known as the golden Section to design and construct buildings. The Golden section is a mathematical process in which shapes grow larger according to a fiexed ratio as they rotate around a cetral axis. The Golden section is a mathematical process in which shapes grow larger according to a fiexed ratio as they rotate around a cetral axis. This helps determine the proportions of a building elements such as columns. This helps determine the proportions of a building elements such as columns.

The Parthenon. It is the most important and characteristic monument of the ancient Greek civilization and still remains its international symbol. It was dedicated to Athena Parthenos, the patron goddess of Athens. It was built between 447 and 438 B.C. and its sculptural decoration was completed in 432 B.C. Post and lintle construction, Doric Order for columns The Parthenon is carefully planned to be balanced, harmonious and beautiful.

The construction of the monument was initiated by Perikles, the supervisor of the whole work was Pheidias, the famous Athenian sculptor, while Iktinos and Kallikrates were the architects of the building. The temple is built in the Doric order and almost exclusively of Pentelic marble. It is peripteral, with eight columns on each of the narrow sides and seventeen columns on each of the long ones. The central part of the temple, called the cella, sheltered the famous chryselephantine cult statue of Athena, made by Pheidias.

The Turks used the Parthenon as a powder magazine when the Venetians, under Admiral Morosini, sieged the Acropolis in One of the Venetian bombs fell on the Parthenon and caused a tremendous explosion that destroyed a great part of the monument which had been preserved in a good condition until then.

The disaster was completed in the beginning of the 19th century, when the British ambassador in Constantinople, Lord Elgin, stole the greatest part of the sculptural decoration of the monument (frieze, metopes, pediments), transferred them to England and sold them to the British Museum, where they are still exhibited, being one of the most significant collections of the museum.

The Temple of Athena Nike was constructed in ca. 420 B.C. by the architect Kallikrates. It is built in the Ionic order, and it is amphiprostyle with a row of four columns in front of each of its narrow sides. The relief frieze on the upper section of the walls depicts the conference of gods on the east side, and scenes from battles on the other three. A marble parapet decorated with the relief representation of Nikae (Victories), protected the edge of the Bastion on which the temple was erected.