Art of Ancient Greece and Roman Art Exam Study Guide

Flashcards covering key vocabulary and concepts from the study guide on Ancient Greek and Roman art.

Funerary Vase (Krater)

A large vessels used as a grave marker during Greek Geometric period, featuring mourning figures and abstract geometric patterns.

Geometric Style

Art style characterized by geometric shapes used to represent human figures, particularly in pottery from the Greek Geometric period.

Exekias

Renowned Athenian black-figure painter known for depicting scenes from Greek mythology, including the depiction of Ajax and Achilles.

Red-Figure Technique

A painting style of ancient Greek pottery that involves leaving the figures unpainted while painting the background black.

Contrapposto

An artistic technique where the human figure is posed with weight distributed on one leg, creating a sense of movement and naturalism.

Metope

A panel that forms part of a frieze on a classical building, often sculpted with reliefs depicting mythological battles, as seen on the Parthenon.

Coffin of Sarpedon

A red-figure painting by Euphronios depicting the death of Sarpedon in the Trojan War, showcasing dynamic poses and naturalistic anatomy.

Kouros

An Archaic Greek statue representing a standing, nude male youth, often used as a grave marker, exemplifying idealized male beauty.

Canonical Proportions

The ideal proportions for human figures established by Polykleitos in classical sculpture to represent the perfect body.

Byzantine Icon

A religious image used for veneration in the Eastern Orthodox Church, serving as a connection to the divine.

Pantheon

A Roman temple dedicated to all gods, characterized by its impressive dome and structural innovation in concrete.

Theodora

Byzantine empress depicted in mosaic art, symbolizing female power and depicted with lavish garments and royal icons.

Anastasis (Resurrection)

A Byzantine depiction of Christ's descent into hell to rescue Adam and Eve, emphasizing triumph over death.