Greek Art and Architecture

New York Kouros, ca. 600 BCE (Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York) Kroisos

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what is the NY Kouros made of

marble stone and painted

where would the NY Kouros have been found and its significance

in an adorned tomb showing heroic perfectionism or maybe used on sanctuaries for the gods

describe the composition of the NY Kouros

rectangular, blocky square/cubic form, stiff, even distribution of weight

describe the appearance of the NY Kouros and its significance

nude, flat in the front and back, some muscle, big head, long neck, slender waist, sharp shins, engraved body dimensions, some abstracted and rounded form, flat face and big eyes all showing a more stylized figure and perfectly beaded hair

Kroison (Anavysos Kouros), ca. 530 BCE (National Archaeological Museum, Athens)

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what is the Kroison made of

Marble

where would the Kroison have been found and its significance

in a funerary monument showing that a warrior had died fighting in the front lines which signifies that having died in battle he would remain forever young

describe the appearance/composition of the Kroison and its significance

Modeling, rounded, swelling curves, high volume, less stiff shoulders, passage of muscles, hands clenched, sharp shins, some abstract knee, smaller head and eyes, rounded cheeks, slightly smiling lips, curved braided hair

Euphronios, Vase Depicting the Death of Sarpedon, ca. 510 BCE

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What was the Euphronios vase made of and its significance

Terracotta (fired clay) was less expensive and made quicker so the artist could take more risks and advance the human form

Who made the Euphronius Vase and its significance

Euphronius signed his name which meant that the vase would fetch more money

what was the Euphronius vase used for

as a mixing vessel, mixing wine with water

what type of painting is on the Euphronius vase and its effect

red figure vase painting allows for more detail to be drawn

what is depicted on the Euphronius vase

humans/stories of greek myth, warriors getting ready for battle, aftermath of the Trojan war where a wounded greek hero has killed a trojan and is being taken from the battlefield carried by angles (sleep and death)

describe the appearance/composition of the Euphronius vase and its significance

red people, mainly nude, with defined muscles/modeling and very detailed anatomy, black background, figures in motion, pouring blood, warriors hand caressing the ground, symmetrical scene shows youth at the height of his power cut down

Zeus of Artemision, ca. 450 BCE

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where was the Zeus sculpture found and its significance

in a shipwreck near Artemisia showing evidence of trade

what is the Zeus sculpture made of/ how was it made and its significance

bronze (copper and tin) heated and cast in molten liquid form from a clay model = more expensive and more labor

how many of the Zeus sculptures were made

few exist, rare

describe the composition of the Zeus sculpture and its significance

open composition, legs and arms apart, striding posture, would have held a thunderbolt about to release, head facing front, one arm for balance, the other drawn back (horizontal axis of arms), all showing tension making it threatening and daring

describe the appearance of the Zeus sculpture and its significance

shiny/luminous, heavily developed, bunching, swelling muscles, eyes missing (would have been colored and another material), careful hair, full beard showing maturity

Polykleitos, Doryphoros, Roman copy after a Greek original of ca. 450 BCE

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What is the Doryphoros made of

marble

what does the Doryphoros depict

a spear bearer

describe the structural elements of the Doryphoros and its significance

strut/support on the hand and behind the leg because its a copy of the original

what is the pose of the Doryphoros called

contraposto

describe the contraposto pose of the Deryphoros and what it shows

slanted knees and hips, not aligned showing a freeing of body and a more common posture , asymmetrical, flexed leg balanced by strait arm and vv

describe the composition of the Doryphoros

sort of frontal, sort of closed composition

describe the appearance of the Doryphoros and its significance

very soft/blended muscles/modeling showing an athletes physique, arms free from the body, head turned slightly to the side for balancing motion and organic fashion, generic oval head, large features, no expression/ageless, short, posed curly hair

Athens, Parthenon, architects: Iktinus and Kallikrates, 447- 432 BCE

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What is the Parthenon

Temple of Athena

where is the parthenon located and its significance

In the Acropolis in Athens on a hill higher up/closer to the heavens

what is the Parthenon made of and its significance

white marble showing natural resources

what would the parthenon have been used as and its significance

a political hub, victory monument, treasury/bank vault, religious procession, but no alter and ordinary people wouldn't enter

describe the structure of the Parthenon

post and lintel (beam), doric order:column shaft (entalis=curved out slightly in center) with flutes and capital, rectangular on platform, columns on all four sides and some on the inside, sculptures all over, frieze

describe the optical refinements of the Parthenon and its significance

no 90 degree angles, trying to improve how its seen, custom crafting, curved bottom and roof so no sagging when seen from below, inclination of the vertical (columns slightly lean in), looks symmetrical but its not

Athens, Temple of Athena Nike, architect: Kallikrates, 427- 424 BCE

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where is the Temple of Athena Nike and its significance

sticking out of the acropolis like a sentinel looking out to the empire, meant to catch your eye

what is the structure of the Athena Nike Temple

ionic order: scrolls or carvings on capital, thinner column shaft, modeled base, only columns in the front and back, frieze around the top

Parthenon Frieze designed by Pheidias depicting the Panathenaic Procession, Perikles' building program on the Acropolis

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West Frieze: Rearing Horse and Riders in Procession

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East Frieze: Maidens and Youth bearing Peplos

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what was/is the Parthenon Frieze and its significance

a rebuilt colored relief band all the way around the colonnade signifying an economic miracle and economic growth

what does the Parthenon Frieze represent

controversial, but citizens in procession

what does the Parthenon Frieze depict and its significance

militaristic elite riders in procession, man in control of horse showing high moral character and win against enemies, radiance and heroic imagery, contrast between energy and calm

describe the appearance of the Parthenon Frieze

chest modeling on the riders, cloak flying out, metal attachments (reins and stirrups), riders have large eyes, ageless faces, young, similar/ideal appearances, veins on the belly of the horses, overlap of limbs, proportions off

describe the composition of the Parthenon Frieze

movement working together, pauses in the parade

Describe the East Frieze: Maidens

maidens marching together, fully clothed with woven garments

Grave Stele of Hegeso, ca. 400 BCE

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What does the Grave Stele of Hegeso depict and its significance

a womans final memorial of her seated on an elaborate chair and footstool, signifying wealth, she is facing a mistress/maid (enslaved) wearing a simple garment showing status, both are looking at a jewel box showing how the woman is making herself pretty in death

describe the appearance of the Grave Stele and its significance

hair pulled up with an elaborate veil, sheer garments (drapery), pleats/folds/excess garments showing wealth and controversial modesty

Praxiteles, Aphrodite of Knidos, Roman copy of 350 BCE

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what is the Aphrodite of Knidos made of

marble

what is the significance of the Aphrodite of Knidos

its the first monumental female nude, it was a shocker/scandalous

how do we know that the Aphrodite of Knidos is a copy

the strut holding it up

where would the Aphrodite of Knidos have been kept

a temple in the round

describe the composition of the Aphrodite of Knidos and its significance

contrapposto pose, slightly twisted, knees close together, shoulders hunched, hand hiding genitals, modesty?

describe the appearance of the Aphrodite of Knidos and its significance

modeling: soft, rounded, blended, blurred, not as symmetrical, long hair pulled back, generic, conventional face, oval, almond eyes, straight nose, full lips, oval chin, showing ageless and youthful

Nike from Samothrace, ca.175 BCE

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what does the Nike from Samothrace represent

personification of winged victory to commemorate a naval battle and wreathing a naval commander

what is the Nike from Samothrace made of

marble

where would the Nike from Samothrace have been kept

in a landscape setting by the sea

describe the composition of the Nike from Samothrace and its significance

on a small marble boat, a figure in action showing pure radiance

describe the appearance of the Nike from Samothrace

draped clothing, garments pressed flat from winds and salt spray, billowing drapery, some transparent creating an x/corkscrew of the clothes