Art History Ancient Greece: Archaic Period

Terms

Archaic: phase of ancient Greek art development from 650-480 BCE, bridging the Geometric and Classical Periods

Stylized: intentional departure from realism to exaggerated real life forms

Naturalized: the process of making a subject look lifelike and convincing

Egyptianizing Stance: specific pose in archaic greek sculptures

Kouros: type of sculpture of a young nude male

Archaic smile: expression in archaic art to bring a lifelike quality rather than a state of joy

Kore: type of statue showing a young clothed female figure

Peplos: a body-length woolen garment worn by women in ancient Greece

Pediment: triangles at the top of temples which show art

New York Kouros

Style: Inspired by Egyptian Ka sculptures

Purpose: Highlight heroism (heroic nude) of a man

• Greek sculptures have more human form and more life to them since they focus on living → rather than Egyptians who focused on death + afterlife

• Greek ideal → idea of the importance of striving for beauty and perfection

• Archaic smile

• New York vs. Anavysos Kouros: represent the evolution of Archaic Greek sculpture over a span of 50 years from geometric to organic naturalism

Peplos Kore

• Freestanding vertical cylindrical column-like sculpture, more naturalistic in the face and softer in bodily rendering than earlier Archaic works

• Archaic smile

• Shows crease to imply legs

Exekias, Achilles, and Ajax Dice game

• Trojan War heroes Achilles and Ajax sit on low stools facing each other, hunched over a block serving as a gaming table

• Speech bubbles emerge from their mouths with inscriptions recording the score—Achilles calls out "four" and Ajax calls out "three" showing Achilles is winning

• Both men wear partial armor and hold their spears, while their shields and helmets rest nearby, showing they are pausing between battles

• Achilles wears hat to show status

• Shows tension in Ajax’s face as he loses

Dying Warrior - West Pediment of the Temple of Aphaia

• Pose: Rigid, highly stylized, and unnatural. He faces outward toward the viewer rather than acknowledging his own pain or the ground.

• Facial Expression: Features the signature Archaic smile, which looks detached or mismatched for a man dying in battle.

• Anatomy: Stylized, geometric musculature and patterned, beaded "Egyptian-style" hair, typical of the Archaic period rather than true organic decay or real human suffering.

Dying Warrior - East Pediment of the Temple of Aphaia

• Subject: a fallen hero from the first Trojan War led by Heracles

• Style: It marks the transition from the rigid Archaic style to the naturalism of the Early Classical period

• Is in better condition/more detailed because the East pediment was always decorated last

• Unlike the western counterpart that features an "archaic smile," the eastern warrior displays human suffering, strain, and concentrated anguish as he tries to support his collapsing body with his shield

• Shows real agony

• Features advanced anatomy and a dynamic twisting pose