Notes on Classical Art and Painting

Overview of Classical Painting

• References to classical painters in literature.
• Major figure: Polyconis from Athens.
• Limited data but indicates trends in classical painting.
• Shift from red-figure technique to experimentation with perspective and landscape.

Key Trends in Classical Painting

• Artists began to explore new techniques like perspective.
• Major themes emerged from various works:
  • Hubris represented in mythological scenes (e.g., Niobe).
  • Stories exploring dynamics between gods and mortals.

Niobid Mythology

• Niobe boasts of her children compared to Leto, mother of Apollo and Artemis.
  • She has 14 children (7 boys and 7 girls).
  • Hubris leads to punishment: Apollo and Artemis kill all her children.

Depictions of Herakles

• Herakles often portrayed in complex scenes.
• Artists showed attempts at three-dimensional space.
• Landscape often represented with varying levels to indicate proximity:
  • Characters lower are closer to the viewer, while those higher are further away.

Themes in Medias Painter's Work

• Focus on peace, love, and serene themes, diverging from violent content of earlier periods.
• Art reflects societal desire to move away from war themes, particularly during the aftermath of the Peloponnesian War.

Hydria (Water Jar) Example

• Dated to the latter part of the Peloponnesian War.
• Two registers depicting Herakles in the Garden of the Hesperides and other mythological scenes (e.g. twin brothers in pursuit of a divine figure).
• Setting often includes divine elements (e.g. sanctuary for Aphrodite).

Late Classical Sculpture

• Example: Statue of Arrhenian Plutus (Goddess of Peace and God of Wealth).
• Shown as a significant step toward dynamic representation:
  • Drapery reveals anatomical details.
  • Transition from static to more fluid forms, indicating movement and emotion.

Proportions in Late Classical Sculpture

• Lysippus, notable sculptor, introduces an eight to one head-to-body ratio.
• His works symbolize shift in aesthetic and anatomical portrayal.

Funerary Practices and Social Reflection in Art

• Grave goods and burial practices reflect the cultural importance of funerals.
• Different types of graves indicate social status and community norms.

White Ground Technique

• Reiterated as a significant artistic technique alongside traditional methods.
• Used to document stories in a concise manner on vessels (e.g., scenes of revived individuals).

Common Themes in Funerary Art

• Depictions of mourning, commemoration, and the afterlife show cultural beliefs.
• Continuous attention to the dead emphasized in grave art and accompanying rituals.

Conclusion

• Classical art evolves through various themes, reflecting societal changes in attitude toward war, divinity, and mortality.
• Various styles, materials, and representations depict the ideals and realities of Ancient Greek society.