AHIS 321 Course Manual Long Version 2

AHIS 321: GREEK ART & ARCHAEOLOGY COURSE MANUAL

Page 1

  • Course Title: AHIS 321: Greek Art & Archaeology

  • Instructor: John Pollini, Professor of Classical Art & Archaeology

  • Copyright: © 2009


Page 2: Table of Contents

  1. THE BIRTH OF GREEK ART

    • PAINTING

    • SCULPTURE AND ARCHITECTURE

  2. THE ORIENTALIZING PERIOD

    • PAINTING

    • SCULPTURE AND ARCHITECTURE

  3. ARCHAIC PERIOD

    • PAINTING (Parts I & II)

    • SCULPTURE (Parts I & II)

    • ARCHITECTURE (Parts I & II)

  4. CLASSICAL PERIOD

    • PAINTING

    • SCULPTURE (Early and High Classical)

    • ARCHITECTURE (Parts I & II)

  5. HELLENISTIC SCULPTURE

    • PORTRAITURE (Parts I, II & III)

    • PAINTING AND MOSAICS

    • ARCHITECTURE


Page 3: The Birth of Greek Art: Painting

  • Historical Sketch:

    • Proto-Greeks enter Greece c. 2000 B.C.

    • Mycenaean Empire (c. 1400-1200 B.C.): mainland Greece, islands.

    • Influence from Minoan art leads to Aegean art style.

    • Greek art signifies the collapse of Mycenaean civilization around 1000 B.C.

  • Causes of Collapse:

    • Possible Dorian invasions, internal decay, and invading sea peoples.

    • Transition to Iron Age reflects migration and unrest among Greek-speaking groups.


Page 4: Historical Context

  • Period of Unrest: 1150-800 B.C.

    • Major migrations: Dorians, Aeolians, Ionians.

    • Common language and festivals arise despite local variations.

  • Geometric Period (c. 1150-800 B.C.): Characterized by geometric patterns in art.


Page 5: Chronology of Greek Art

  • Bronze Age:

    • Early Bronze: 3000-2000 B.C.

    • Middle Bronze: 2000-1600 B.C.

    • Late Bronze: 1600-1000 B.C.

  • Geometric Period: 1000-700 B.C.

    • Includes Proto-Geometric (1000-900 B.C.) and Full Geometric (900-700 B.C.).

  • Pottery as Chronological Reference: Shapes evolve across periods, major findings in Athens.


Page 6: Aegean Heritage in Painting

  • Fresco Techniques:

    • Buon fresco (true fresco) vs. fresco secco (dry fresco).

    • Major examples: Minoan bull-leaping fresco, Mycenaean frescoes at Pylos and Mycenae.


Page 7: Greek Geometric Painted Pottery

  • Characteristics:

    • Proto-Geometric amphorae and ornamentation techniques such as libation and dentil patterns.

    • Geometric amphorae depict funerary practices (prothesis and ekphora) and show horror vacui.


Page 8: The Birth of Greek Art: Sculpture and Architecture

  • Aegean Heritage:

    • Cycladic figures, Minoan bronze art including the Snake Goddess and rhyta.

    • Mycenaean golden mask and monumental architecture like the Lion Gate of Mycenae.


Page 9: Geometric Sculptures

  • Notable Artifacts:

    • Horse handle pyxis, bronze tripod cauldron handles, warrior figurines, and thematic representations of nobility (arete).


Page 10: Geometric Architecture

  • Key Structures:

    • Naos (temple as a whole), various temples honoring Hera and their architectural developments, including apsidal designs and post-Geometric iterations.


Page 11: The Orientalizing Period: Painting

  • Historical Sketch:

    • Rise of Greek city-states through trade and colonization during the 8th century.

    • Contact with Eastern art influences from the Phoenician trade routes.

    • Expansion of Greek colonization in Ionia and elsewhere.


Page 12: Vase Painting Characteristics

  • Techniques:

    • Black-figure technique primarily developed by Corinthian painters, leading to notable artifacts such as the Chigi Vase.

    • The proto-Attic phase marked by innovation in shape and decoration.


Page 13: Non-Vase Painting

  • Terracotta Metopes:

    • Early painted terracotta metopes signify the growing art form in monumental architecture.


Page 14: Orientalizing Sculpture and Architecture

  • Significant Works:

    • Bronze cauldron handles and early structures dedicated to divinities show influences from contemporary Near Eastern cultures.


Page 15: Daedalic Style and Its Proponents

  • Artistic Characteristics:

    • Stiff forms of figures and recognizable themes dominate Bronze Age expressions of art from this period.


Page 16: Architectural Innovations

  • Key Examples:

    • Temple structures display advancements such as entrance gateways (propylon) and market places (agora).


Page 17: Archaic Period: Painting (Part I)

  • Historical Overview:

    • Prosperity in Greece led to dynamic shifts in political power structures, notably in Athens.


Page 18: Notable Vase Creations

  • Vase Painter Contributions:

    • Distinct vase style evolution marked by innovations such as the black-figure pottery styles consistent with key historical developments.


Page 19: Corinthian and Attic Black-Figure Pottery

  • Innovations in Styles:

    • Transition from animal figures to human representations in notable pieces such as the Francois Vase and works by Exekias.


Page 20: Classic and Late Classical Developments

  • Artistic Flourishing:

    • Description of major works and influences reflect the complexities of the Athenian society through art.


Page 21: Late Classical Innovations

  • Artistic Advancements:

    • The evolution of styles and themes reflects significant cultural shifts in representation through sculpture and pottery.


Page 22: Archaic Period: Painting (Part II)

  • Introduction of Red-Figure Techniques:

    • Innovations in painting techniques lead to a revival in artistic expressions focusing on vibrant color use and thematic storytelling.


Page 23: Red-Figure and Bilingual Vessels

  • Notable Developments:

    • Bilingual vessels showcase the use of both black-figure and red-figure techniques in monumental pieces.


Page 24: Classical Period: Artistic Highlights

  • Significant Contributions:

    • Key developments in painting and sculpture reveal an ongoing refinement of techniques and themes over time, culminating in notable artifacts.


Page 25: Classical Sculpture Expansion

  • Key Artists:

    • Lazini-period artistic movements emphasize the sophistication and skill visible in free-standing and monumental sculptures.


Page 26: Classical Architectural Features

  • Doric and Ionic Orders:

    • Discussion on structural style innovations that indicate a shift towards aesthetic preferences in building methods.


Page 27: Hellenistic Portraiture Developments

  • Notable Innovations:

    • Hellenistic sculptors emphasize individualism in portraiture with unique stylistic elements.


Page 28: Art and Culture Integration

  • Growth of Civic Identity:

    • Interaction between art forms and civic ideologies demonstrates the relationship between culture and physical representation.


Page 29: Hellenistic Sculpture Characteristics

  • Diverse Developments:

    • Sculpture evolves to encompass dramatic themes, focusing on emotional resonance and realistic portrayals.


Page 30: Hellenistic Art Trends

  • Interest in Genre Scenes:

    • Movement toward common life representations through sculpture and mosaics reflects societal changes and cultural innovation.


Page 31: Hellenistic Architecture Trends

  • Architectural Integration:

    • Urban design elements complement Hellenistic art emerging in city landscapes throughout the Mediterranean region.


Page 32: Major Hellenistic Architects

  • Key Contributions to Urban Design:

    • Notable architects and their projects illustrate the importance of visual and cultural cohesiveness in Hellenistic cities.

robot