Late classical and hellenisitc Greece

The late classical period spans less than a hundred years from April 2004 to March following the death of Alexander the Great.
Begins after Athenians regained control of Athens from Sparta, who controlled the city from April 04/2004 to April.
Ends with the death of Alexander the Great in March 323 BCE.
This period leads into the Hellenistic period, marking a pivotal transition in Greek history.

Changes in body representation: Proportions of figures becoming leaner and taller.
Shift from calm, serene, aloof representations, to more emotional, humanized depictions.

Praxiteles: One of the most significant sculptors of the late classical period.
Notable work: Aphrodite of Nidos (circa 350 BCE), signifying a change in representation of deities.
- Aphrodite represents love, lust, and beauty.
- First female nude in Greek art, contrasting with the predominance of male nudes in prior art.
- Female nudity was deemed inappropriate in public sculpture, though present in vase painting.
Initial display in Athens met with appall; Praxiteles gave the sculpture to the people of Nidos as a response.
Cultural impact: Visitors from Athens reportedly traveled to see the sculpture, and many claimed to have fallen in love with the figure.
Features include:
- Modest Nude: Depicted covering her nudity which highlights it simultaneously.
- Drapery context: Holding her garment, suggesting she just undressed for a bath.
Reproduction: Nearly 50 Roman copies survive, showing the sculpture's popularity over time.
The statue's design influences the portrayal of nudity and femininity in sculpture.

Lysippos: Another prominent sculptor from the late classical period.
Notable work: Man Scraping Himself (Apoxyomenos) (circa 330 BCE).
- Reflects new proportions of the late classical canon: head now 1/8 of body length instead of 1/7.
- Active Figures: Includes dynamic poses and a sense of movement.
Comparison with Polyklitus's Doryphorus (Spear Bearer) from around a century earlier.
- Doryphorus: More static energy, with contrapposto stance but less dynamic representation.
- Apoxyomenos: Dynamic, engaged in an action (scraping sweat), with a broader viewing angle.

Example: Hollow cast gold earrings of Ganymede (circa 330–300 BCE) depicting Ganymede being abducted by Zeus in eagle form. These earrings also exhibit significant artistic detail.

Greek mural painting often survived as mosaics, particularly during the Hellenistic period, despite initially limited preservation in larger artworks.
Example: Roman floor mosaic from Pompeii (circa 310 BCE), depicting Alexander the Great confronting Darius III.
- Notable for psychological intensity and quick emotional responses in depiction.
- Innovations in foreshortening and realistic portrayals of movement, anatomy, and shadowing.
- The technical execution represents a transition from high classical calm to emotional and dynamic expressions.

Constructed in the fourth century BCE, exemplifies advances in architectural design for public congregation.
Semicircular tiered seats built into hillside, can accommodate up to 12,000 spectators.
Critical in hosting performances that blend entertainment with cultural expression, including religion and communal gatherings.
Notated for unobstructed sightlines and excellent acoustics; foundations for modern stadium design.

Begins with the death of Alexander the Great in 323 BCE; Greek territory divided among his generals, leading to less unity in Greek culture.
- End marked at 30 BCE with the death of Cleopatra, shifting focus to Rome's ascendance.
Emergence of Corinthian order in architecture, a more decorative variation of the Ionic order.
- Example: Temple of the Olympian Zeus, showcasing larger, more decorative columns.

Distinct move from idealization of figures toward more emotive and expressive styles, termed anticlassical and baroque.
Sculpture type varies widely: Roman copies often replicate Hellenistic originals.
Laocoön and his sons: Depicts drama and emotion associated with the Trojan War, illustrating the shift towards individualized representation and emotion in sculpture.
Example: Dying Gaul, showing dignity even in defeat, characterized by an emphasis on realism and emotion.

Located within a crucial cultural center, noted for monumental architecture and sculpture that chronicles cultural narratives and heroic conquests.
Battle of Gods and Giants Frieze: Represents the triumph over the Gauls while integrating mythological themes into artistic expressions of contemporary events.
Niké of Samothrace: An exemplar of Hellenistic skill, showcasing dynamic movement, intricate drapery, and emotive composition.

Comparison of classical and Hellenistic styles:
- Classical works tend to feature idealism, serenity, and cool remoteness.
- Hellenistic works underscore drama, realism, and emotive expressiveness.
- Notable examples include Venus de Milo (classical elements with Hellenistic eroticism) and representations of common individuals in the Hellenistic context (like the old woman sculpture).