Art of Ancient Greece
Similarity between ancient Greek sculpture example and a brand of tennis shoes have in common? --> Nike "Goddess of Victory"
Geometric Period 900 - 700 BC
* Characterized by linear motifs such as spirals, diamonds, and cross-hatching.
* First specifically Greek style of Vase painting
Ex. 1: Centaur
Ex 2: Funerary Vase - tells a story about person's life, interests, etc.
* Abstract forms were used to represent human figures
* Funerary art reflected the belief that the dead could continue to enjoy their favorite activities even in death
Classical Period - Divided into three phases based on art quality
480 - 450 BC Early Classical | Marked by the defeat of Persians in 480 BC.
450-400 BC High Classical
400-323 BC Late Classical | Marked by death of Alexander the Great
| Early Classical
Ex: Sculpture taken from temple of Zeus - Name: Apollo with Battling Lapiths and Centaurs. Apollo stands in middle calmly. Purpose of temple was to demonstrate power. --In the midst of battle, Apollo sits adamitely.
* Demonstrated the power of the gods, Zeus, Apollo, and Athena
* Apollo represented reason over passion
* Many examples were decorated with imported marble.
High Classical Period
* Pericles dominated Athenian Politics
- He led Athens to period of great wealth known as Golden Age
- Used Athenian wealth for the adornment of the city
- Encouraged artists to promote a public image of peace, prosperity, and power
Ex: Porch of the Maidens - Located on South Side of Erectheon. Maidens have area on back to add strength to statue- since neck is skinniest area.
* Priam painter gave insight into Greek City life
Ex: Women at fountain house - pot, women gather water from decorative house. Geometric designs at bottom
*Shows fountains were public amenity
* There are nearly 60 vases attributed to him
| The Achilles Painter
Ex: Woman and Maid
* Characterized by outlined or drawn imagery
* Enhanced with a full range of colors
* Used tempera a water-based paint made with glue or egg whites
| Hellenistic Period
* Sculpture of Hellenistic period - Alexander the Great. Doesn't look happy, more realistic approach, less romantic.
* Alexander died unexpectedly in 323 BC
* As a result, the whole empire began to fall
* Artists of this period had a noticeably different vision of art
* Ex: Nike of Samothrace
* Sculptures were enormous
* Many thought to have commemorated an important naval victory
* Hellenistic art is known for expression of paint, anger, and other dark emotions.
* Ex: Athena attacking the giants - looks on faces in agony, anger
* It was often times violent
Extra def:
Geometric period - A phase of Greek art characterized by abstract geometric motifs in vase painting.
linear motifs - Stylistic method that included spiral, diamonds,and cross hatching patterns on decorative vases.
funerary vase - This type of art reflected the belief that the dead could continue to enjoy their favorite activities.
Classical period - Referring to most of the 5th and part of the 4th centuries BCE.
Early Classical - Also referred to as "Severe style," this period in art showed changes in the reflection of the facial features, reflecting self knowledge.
Peloponesse - A large peninsula and region in southern Greece.
High Classical Period - During 450-400 BCE, with art reflecting figures of gods and goddesses of the Parthenon and mythologic heroes.
Perikles - An influential statesman that dominated Athenian politics.
Priam Painter - A Greek vase painter, named after a black figure hydria had nearly 60 vase paintings including a wide range of subject matter, some with narrative inscriptions.
Achilles painter - A vase painter whose style favored isolated figures against a black ground, usually in a two figured balanced composition.