Art of Ancient Greece

Ancient Greece Art

Nike of Samothrace & Nike Brand

  • The Nike brand was named after the ancient Greek sculpture Nike of Samothrace, the goddess of victory.

Overview

  • Geometric Period

    • Recognize artwork from this period.

  • Classical Period

    • Discuss characteristics and divisions.

    • Early Classical, High Classical, Late Classical.

  • High Classical Period

    • Discuss painting of vases and murals.

    • Priam painter, Achilles painter.

  • Hellenistic Period

    • Recognize trends and characteristics in sculpture and art.

Key Terms

  • Geometric Period

  • Linear Motifs

  • Funerary Vase

  • Classical Period

  • Early Classical Period

  • High Classical Period

  • Pericles

  • Priam Painter

  • Achilles Painter

  • Alexander the Great

  • Hellenistic Period

Geometric Period (900-700 BCE)

  • Characterized by linear motifs.

  • Represents shapes (geometry).

  • First specifically Greek style of vase painting.

Linear Motifs

  • Characterized by lines.

  • Included triangles, cross hatchings, and spirals.

Funerary Vase

  • Tells a story of the person's life and interests representing activities enjoyed in life.

  • Used abstract forms to represent human figures.

  • Reflected the belief that the dead could continue to enjoy activities from their lifetime.

Classical Period

  • Divided into three phases based on the quality of art.

Early Classical Period

  • Marked by the defeat of the Persians.

  • Time of confidence reflected in artwork.

High Classical Period

  • Period of great wealth, known as the golden age.

Late Classical Period

  • Marked by the death of Alexander the Great, which affected the artwork.

Early Classical Period - Temple of Zeus

  • Demonstrated the power of the Greek gods (Zeus, Apollo, Athena).

  • Power through strength and confidence, not force.

  • Imported marble was used.

Apollo with Battling Lapithes and Centaurs

  • Apollo represents reason over passion; he remains calm amidst conflict.

High Classical Period

  • Pericles dominated Athenian politics and influenced the artwork.

  • He led Athens to a period of great wealth known as the golden age.

  • Athenian wealth was used for the adornment of the city.

  • Artists were encouraged to promote a public image of peace, prosperity, and power.

Porch of the Maidens from the Erechtheion

  • Sculptures of maidens used instead of plain columns to hold up the porch.

  • Maidens stand strong and peaceful, with a bent knee.

  • Hair detail on the back of the maidens adds strength to the neck area of the sculpture.

Priam Painter

  • Provided insight into Greek city life.

  • Vases featured orange and black colors with some geometric designs.

  • Depicted scenes such as women at a fountain house getting water. This showed that fountains were public amenities.

  • Nearly 60 vases are attributed to the Priam painter.

Achilles Painter

  • Characterized by outlined or drawn imagery.

  • The color of the vase comes through the outline to give structure.

  • Skin is represented by the color of the vase.

  • Enhanced with a full range of colors (browns, reds).

  • Used tempera (water-based paint made with glue or egg whites).

  • Incorporated geometric patterns as well.

Hellenistic Period

  • Followed the unexpected death of Alexander the Great.

  • Sculptures became more realistic, showing a more realistic picture of people.

  • Showed a more realistic picture of people.

  • Expression of pain, anger, and other dark emotions were expressed, which showed life as it was all the goods and bads during that time.
    *Sculptures were enormous, representing god-like figures.

Nike of Samothrace

  • Sculptures of this kind commemorated naval victories.

  • Folds in the drapery are detailed, giving a sense of movement.

Athena Attacking the Giants

  • Shows expression of pain, anger/rage, and other dark emotions.

  • Demonstrates a big transition in artwork after Alexander the Great's death.

Objective Review:

  • Recognize artwork from the geometric period.

  • Discuss the characteristics and divisions of the classical period.

  • Discuss painting of vases and murals during the high classical period (Priam painter, Achilles painter).

  • Recognize the trends and characteristics of Hellenistic sculpture and art.

Geometric Period

  • Phase of Greek art characterized by abstract geometric motifs and vase painting.

  • Vases were characterized by horizontal bands as well as zigzag, triangular, and the meandered decorative motifs

Linear Motifs

  • Stylistic method that included spiral, diamonds, and cross hatching patterns on decorative vases.

  • The linear motif of the geometric period differed from the stylized plants, birds, and sea creature motif of the Minoan vase paint sea paintings.

Funerary Vase

  • This type of art reflected the belief that the dead could continue to enjoy their favorite activities.

  • The most famous funerary vase, the Dibylon vase was found outside Athens in a cemetery with an entrance guarded by two large pylons.

Classical Period

  • Referring to most of the fifth and part of the fourth centuries BCE

  • The classical period was divided into three phases; the early classical marked by the defeat of Persians in April, the high classical April, and the late classical april marked by the death of Alexander the Great.

Early Classical

  • Also referred to as severe style. This period in art showed changes in the reflection of the facial features reflecting self knowledge.

  • The early classical art demonstrated the power of god Zeus, Apollo, and Athena.

Peloponnes

  • Land region in Southern Greece, a large peninsula and region in Southern Greece. A dwarf temple was constructed for Zeus by the people of Peloponnes.

High Classical Period

  • During April with art reflecting figures of gods and goddesses of the Parthenon and mythologic heroes.

  • The goal of artists during the classical period was to capture the ideal human figure.

Pericles

  • An influential statesman that dominated Athenian politics.

  • Pericles led Athens to a period of great wealth known as the golden age and encouraged artists to promote a public image of peace, prosperity, and power.

Priam Painter

  • A Greek vase painter named after a black figure and had nearly 60 vase paintings including a wide range of subject matter, some with narrative inscriptions.

  • Some of Priam Painter's works include chariot scenes and depictions of Heracles and other heroes such as Heracles fighting Achaionius.

Achilles painter

  • A vase painter whose style favored isolated figures against a black ground, usually in a two figure balanced composition.

  • The Achilles painter was an anonymous artist who was this nickname by Sir John Beasley, an English classical scholar.