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.