Unit 6_ Ancient Greece Part 2 - Geometric and Archaic Periods

Art of Ancient Greece

Part 2: Geometric and Archaic Periods

Overview

Focuses on the Geometric and Archaic periods of Ancient Greece.

Terracotta Krater from Dipylon Cemetery

Key Details

Date: ca. 750–735 BCEMedium: TerracottaLocation: Found in Kerameikos, near AthensKerameikos: Means ceramic or clay, historically connected to pottery.Function:Krater used for mixing water and wine during social gatherings.Ceremonial krater; served as a grave marker.Geometric Period: 900-700 BCE.

Imagery on the Krater

Burial and Mourning Practices

Depicts a deceased person prepared for burial.Prothesis (Body Preparation):The body is washed and dressed.Mourners gather to express grief.Deceased shown on their side with a raised checkered shroud.Professional mourners may be present for wealthier families.Ekphora: Body transportation to the burial site.Procession follows, with the body on a bier or chariot.A lower zone shows a procession of chariots.Belief that the psyche (soul) enters Hades after death.

Pyxis/Pyxides

Description and Function

Type: Box made from ceramic or wood for storing personal items.Emergence: Appeared in Athens around 850 BCE.Characteristics:Curving body with a smaller lid.Use:Deposited as gifts in sanctuaries and tombs.Ancient repairs indicate personal usage.Example: Terracotta pyxis (800–760 BCE).

Decoration of Pyxis

Design Elements

Decorated with Greek key patterns, checkerboard, dotted lozenges, and chevrons.Handle Design: Horses suggest a four-horse chariot team, indicating prestige, as horse ownership was a status symbol.Attributed to: Chicago Art Institute, Date: 730-720 BCE.

Bronze Horse

Artistic Significance

Solid-cast bronze horse, likely made in Corinth.Represents Geometric art with integrated flat and cylindrical shapes.Cultural Context:Found in sanctuaries as votive offerings.Horses signify aristocratic status in warfare and racing.Origin: Corinthian, 8th century BCE.

Bronze Man and Centaur

Summary

Period: Late Geometric, ca. 750 BCE.Rare figural group in Geometric art.Hypothesis: Depicts Herakles fighting the centaur Nessos.Significance of Design: Ornamental zigzag may link to flowing river imagery.

Greek Dark Ages to Archaic Period

Transitions

Mycenaean decline led to a 300-year Greek Dark Ages.The Archaic period signifies a cultural resurgence:Growth in trade, cultural exchange, and population.Emergence of the Polis (city-states) like Athens and Sparta.Colonization expanded influence across southern Europe, Asia Minor, and North Africa.

Rise of Humanism

Cultural Developments

Humanism flourished with the city-state formation.Exploration of human experience in literature (e.g., Iliad, Odyssey).Archaic art idealizes the human form in sculpture and painting.

Kore and Kouroi

Kore Statues

Represents fully clothed young women.Associated with the peplos garment.Contrasts with nude kouroi statues.Symbolizes idealized feminine form with specific posture (upright, hands to side, "archaic smile").Function: Religious dedication to deities.

Peplos Kore

Features

Peplos Kore, c. 530 BC, in Parian marble.Original statue was richly painted.

Marble Kouros

Details

Date: ca. 590–580 BCEMedium: MarbleSignificance: One of the earliest human figures in marble from Attica.Represents boys or young men, used to honor athletes and warriors.Displays abstract forms derived from Egyptian art.

Kroisos Kouros

Description

Date: ca. 530 BCEMedium: Marble, noted for quality.

The Calf-bearer

Overview

Origin: Attic workshop, 570 BC.Medium: Marble from Hymettos.

The Rampin Rider

Details

Date: ca. 550 BC.Medium: Marble from Paros.Dimensions: Height: 1.08 m, Length: 0.77 m, Width: 0.38 m.Location: Acropolis Museum, Athens.

Exekias Amphora

Artistic Highlights

Type: Attic black figure amphora depicting Ajax and Achilles, c. 540-530 B.C.E.Function: Storage jar for wine or oil, signed by the artist.Technique: Black-figure, featuring detailed narrative of bond between Ajax and Achilles.

Ajax Suicide Amphora

Description

Date: ca. 530 BCETechnique: Black-figure, illustrates the story of Ajax post-competition.

Panathenaic Prize Amphora

Significance

Date: ca. 530 BCE, attributed to Euphiletos Painter.Function: Awarded as trophies filled with olive oil for victors of the Panathenaic games.

Kylix by Amasis Painter

Description

Date: ca. 540 BCEContent: Obverse depicts Poseidon among warriors.

Dionysus Cup

Overview

Artist: By Exekias, ca. 540/530 BC.Type: Attic black-figure kylix.

Euphronios Krater

Key Details

Date: ca. 515 BC, red-figured technique.Function: Mixing wine; depicts Death of Sarpedon during the Trojan War, with gods overseeing the transition.

Centauromachy

Mythological Motif

Centaurs, invited to a wedding, cause chaos and assault guests, leading to a battle.Symbolizes civilization (Lapiths) vs chaos (centaurs).Type: Terracotta volute-krater, ca. 450 BCE.

Amazonomachy

Cultural Symbolism

Amazons represent independence and anti-Greek values.Famous battles against heroes like Heracles and Theseus.Myth represents fears of female power.Type: Terracotta volute-krater, ca. 450 BCE.

Anatomy of Greek Temple (Doric Order)

Structure

Naos: Central chamber for deity statue, exclusive to high priests.Pronaos: Porch leading to the naos.Opisthodomos: Back porch/storage for offerings.Peristyle: Surrounding column row.

Greek Temple Elements

Key Components

Pediment: Triangular gable redirecting rainwater.Tympanum: Flat surface for sculptural decoration.Entablature Parts:Cornice: Framing upper part.Frieze: Central decorative section.Architrave: Provides horizontal support below columns.

Classical Orders Theoretical Origins

Structural Components

Detailed anatomy of classical orders described, with different elements like Cymatium, coronal components, Ceiling Joists, etc.

Triglyphs and Metopes

Reference

Located in Selinus, c. 560 BC, illustrating decorative motifs of Doric temples.

Column Anatomy (Doric Order)

Characteristics

Capital: Top section with abacus and echinus.Shaft: Tall part featuring fluting, with no base characteristic of Doric style.Stylobate: The support platform for the column.

Paestum Temples

Overview

Located in Paestum, Italy, a region known as Magna Graecia.Hera I: 550 BCE, dedicated to Hera, showcasing early Doric architecture.Hera II: 460 BCE, dedicated to Neptune, exhibiting classical Doric style.

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Art of Ancient Greece

Part 2: Geometric and Archaic Periods

Overview

  • Focuses on the Geometric and Archaic periods of Ancient Greece.

Terracotta Krater from Dipylon Cemetery

Key Details

  • Date: ca. 750–735 BCE

  • Medium: Terracotta

  • Location: Found in Kerameikos, near Athens

  • Kerameikos: Means ceramic or clay, historically connected to pottery.

  • Function:

    • Krater used for mixing water and wine during social gatherings.

    • Ceremonial krater; served as a grave marker.

  • Geometric Period: 900-700 BCE.

Imagery on the Krater

Burial and Mourning Practices

  • Depicts a deceased person prepared for burial.

  • Prothesis (Body Preparation):

    • The body is washed and dressed.

    • Mourners gather to express grief.

    • Deceased shown on their side with a raised checkered shroud.

    • Professional mourners may be present for wealthier families.

  • Ekphora: Body transportation to the burial site.

  • Procession follows, with the body on a bier or chariot.

  • A lower zone shows a procession of chariots.

  • Belief that the psyche (soul) enters Hades after death.

Pyxis/Pyxides

Description and Function

  • Type: Box made from ceramic or wood for storing personal items.

  • Emergence: Appeared in Athens around 850 BCE.

  • Characteristics:

    • Curving body with a smaller lid.

  • Use:

    • Deposited as gifts in sanctuaries and tombs.

    • Ancient repairs indicate personal usage.

  • Example: Terracotta pyxis (800–760 BCE).

Decoration of Pyxis

Design Elements

  • Decorated with Greek key patterns, checkerboard, dotted lozenges, and chevrons.

  • Handle Design: Horses suggest a four-horse chariot team, indicating prestige, as horse ownership was a status symbol.

  • Attributed to: Chicago Art Institute, Date: 730-720 BCE.

Bronze Horse

Artistic Significance

  • Solid-cast bronze horse, likely made in Corinth.

  • Represents Geometric art with integrated flat and cylindrical shapes.

  • Cultural Context:

    • Found in sanctuaries as votive offerings.

    • Horses signify aristocratic status in warfare and racing.

  • Origin: Corinthian, 8th century BCE.

Bronze Man and Centaur

Summary

  • Period: Late Geometric, ca. 750 BCE.

  • Rare figural group in Geometric art.

  • Hypothesis: Depicts Herakles fighting the centaur Nessos.

  • Significance of Design: Ornamental zigzag may link to flowing river imagery.

Greek Dark Ages to Archaic Period

Transitions

  • Mycenaean decline led to a 300-year Greek Dark Ages.

  • The Archaic period signifies a cultural resurgence:

    • Growth in trade, cultural exchange, and population.

    • Emergence of the Polis (city-states) like Athens and Sparta.

    • Colonization expanded influence across southern Europe, Asia Minor, and North Africa.

Rise of Humanism

Cultural Developments

  • Humanism flourished with the city-state formation.

  • Exploration of human experience in literature (e.g., Iliad, Odyssey).

  • Archaic art idealizes the human form in sculpture and painting.

Kore and Kouroi

Kore Statues

  • Represents fully clothed young women.

  • Associated with the peplos garment.

  • Contrasts with nude kouroi statues.

  • Symbolizes idealized feminine form with specific posture (upright, hands to side, "archaic smile").

  • Function: Religious dedication to deities.

Peplos Kore

Features

  • Peplos Kore, c. 530 BC, in Parian marble.

  • Original statue was richly painted.

Marble Kouros

Details

  • Date: ca. 590–580 BCE

  • Medium: Marble

  • Significance: One of the earliest human figures in marble from Attica.

  • Represents boys or young men, used to honor athletes and warriors.

  • Displays abstract forms derived from Egyptian art.

Kroisos Kouros

Description

  • Date: ca. 530 BCE

  • Medium: Marble, noted for quality.

The Calf-bearer

Overview

  • Origin: Attic workshop, 570 BC.

  • Medium: Marble from Hymettos.

The Rampin Rider

Details

  • Date: ca. 550 BC.

  • Medium: Marble from Paros.

  • Dimensions: Height: 1.08 m, Length: 0.77 m, Width: 0.38 m.

  • Location: Acropolis Museum, Athens.

Exekias Amphora

Artistic Highlights

  • Type: Attic black figure amphora depicting Ajax and Achilles, c. 540-530 B.C.E.

  • Function: Storage jar for wine or oil, signed by the artist.

  • Technique: Black-figure, featuring detailed narrative of bond between Ajax and Achilles.

Ajax Suicide Amphora

Description

  • Date: ca. 530 BCE

  • Technique: Black-figure, illustrates the story of Ajax post-competition.

Panathenaic Prize Amphora

Significance

  • Date: ca. 530 BCE, attributed to Euphiletos Painter.

  • Function: Awarded as trophies filled with olive oil for victors of the Panathenaic games.

Kylix by Amasis Painter

Description

  • Date: ca. 540 BCE

  • Content: Obverse depicts Poseidon among warriors.

Dionysus Cup

Overview

  • Artist: By Exekias, ca. 540/530 BC.

  • Type: Attic black-figure kylix.

Euphronios Krater

Key Details

  • Date: ca. 515 BC, red-figured technique.

  • Function: Mixing wine; depicts Death of Sarpedon during the Trojan War, with gods overseeing the transition.

Centauromachy

Mythological Motif

  • Centaurs, invited to a wedding, cause chaos and assault guests, leading to a battle.

  • Symbolizes civilization (Lapiths) vs chaos (centaurs).

  • Type: Terracotta volute-krater, ca. 450 BCE.

Amazonomachy

Cultural Symbolism

  • Amazons represent independence and anti-Greek values.

  • Famous battles against heroes like Heracles and Theseus.

  • Myth represents fears of female power.

  • Type: Terracotta volute-krater, ca. 450 BCE.

Anatomy of Greek Temple (Doric Order)

Structure

  • Naos: Central chamber for deity statue, exclusive to high priests.

  • Pronaos: Porch leading to the naos.

  • Opisthodomos: Back porch/storage for offerings.

  • Peristyle: Surrounding column row.

Greek Temple Elements

Key Components

  • Pediment: Triangular gable redirecting rainwater.

  • Tympanum: Flat surface for sculptural decoration.

  • Entablature Parts:

    • Cornice: Framing upper part.

    • Frieze: Central decorative section.

    • Architrave: Provides horizontal support below columns.

Classical Orders Theoretical Origins

Structural Components

  • Detailed anatomy of classical orders described, with different elements like Cymatium, coronal components, Ceiling Joists, etc.

Triglyphs and Metopes

Reference

  • Located in Selinus, c. 560 BC, illustrating decorative motifs of Doric temples.

Column Anatomy (Doric Order)

Characteristics

  • Capital: Top section with abacus and echinus.

  • Shaft: Tall part featuring fluting, with no base characteristic of Doric style.

  • Stylobate: The support platform for the column.

Paestum Temples

Overview

  • Located in Paestum, Italy, a region known as Magna Graecia.

  • Hera I: 550 BCE, dedicated to Hera, showcasing early Doric architecture.

  • Hera II: 460 BCE, dedicated to Neptune, exhibiting classical Doric style.

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