Greek Art of the Golden Age Pg.1Greek Art of the Golden Age Pg.1

In 400 B.C. Greece In 400 B.C. Greece entered a new era of entered a new era of cultural progress cultural progress called the Golden called the Golden Age of Greek Age of Greek culture.culture.

Teacher and artists Teacher and artists came from around came from around Greece to make Greece to make Athens a center of Athens a center of learning and artistic learning and artistic achievement. achievement.

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ArchitectureArchitecture

Athens showed their pride through Athens showed their pride through their temples, gymnasiums, and their temples, gymnasiums, and theatres. theatres.

Artists normally decorated these Artists normally decorated these structures with their finest sculptures.structures with their finest sculptures.

In Athens a high hill called an In Athens a high hill called an AcropolisAcropolis was the center of the was the center of the original city-state with a bronze original city-state with a bronze statue of the goddess Athena nearby.statue of the goddess Athena nearby.

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At the top of the Acropolis stood the At the top of the Acropolis stood the Parthenon which was built in honor of Parthenon which was built in honor of Athena. Athena.

The Parthenon had doors but very The Parthenon had doors but very few windows because they were built few windows because they were built as shrines to honor gods, not as as shrines to honor gods, not as meeting places for worshippers. meeting places for worshippers.

Inside the Parthenon stands a large Inside the Parthenon stands a large statue of Athena made of ivory and statue of Athena made of ivory and gold that stands about 38 ft high.gold that stands about 38 ft high.

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PaintingPainting

Painting was an important form of art Painting was an important form of art in ancient Greece, however, most in ancient Greece, however, most original artwork has been lost or badly original artwork has been lost or badly damaged.damaged.

The best preserved Greek paintings The best preserved Greek paintings are found on vases.are found on vases.

Greek artists painted scenes from Greek artists painted scenes from everyday life as well as mythological everyday life as well as mythological events.events.

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SculptureSculpture

Original works of Greek sculpture, like Original works of Greek sculpture, like paintings, are rare today.paintings, are rare today.

We know most about Greek sculpture We know most about Greek sculpture from studying copies made during Roman from studying copies made during Roman times.times.

Greek sculpture shows Egyptian influence.Greek sculpture shows Egyptian influence. Early Greek sculptures were highly Early Greek sculptures were highly

structured, showing stiff unnatural poses structured, showing stiff unnatural poses with arms straight and down by their sideswith arms straight and down by their sides

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During the Golden Age of Greece in During the Golden Age of Greece in the 400’s B.C. Greek sculptors were the 400’s B.C. Greek sculptors were creating figures that were more creating figures that were more lifelike.lifelike.

Myron and Phidias were two of Myron and Phidias were two of history’s greatest sculptors. history’s greatest sculptors.

Myron sculpted the famous Myron sculpted the famous Discus Discus Thrower.Thrower.

Phidias created the statues of Athena Phidias created the statues of Athena and the statue of Zeus at the Temple and the statue of Zeus at the Temple of Olympia standing near 40 ft high.of Olympia standing near 40 ft high.

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• Praxiteles lived about 100 years after Praxiteles lived about 100 years after Phidias and sculpted figures that were Phidias and sculpted figures that were more lifelike and natural in form and size.more lifelike and natural in form and size.

Nature of Greek ArtNature of Greek Art Artistic styles expressed Greek ideals in Artistic styles expressed Greek ideals in

four ways during the Golden Age of four ways during the Golden Age of Greece.Greece.

1)1) Greek art glorified human beingsGreek art glorified human beings

2)2) Art of the Golden Age symbolizes Greeks’ Art of the Golden Age symbolizes Greeks’ pride in their city-states.pride in their city-states.

3)3) Art expressed Greek beliefs in harmony, Art expressed Greek beliefs in harmony, balance, order, and moderation.balance, order, and moderation.

4)4) Art expressed Greek belief in combining Art expressed Greek belief in combining beauty and usefulness.beauty and usefulness.