Greek Art(Adrian's report)

GREEK ARTGREEK ART

GREEK ARTGREEK ART

Greek artGreek art began around 2500 b.c. began around 2500 b.c. Greece has a rich and varied artistic history Greece has a rich and varied artistic history

spanning some 5000 years. It goes in the Cycladic spanning some 5000 years. It goes in the Cycladic and Minoan prehistorical civilization, and gave birth and Minoan prehistorical civilization, and gave birth to Western classical art in the ancient period. to Western classical art in the ancient period.

Greek artists achieved a level of sophistication that Greek artists achieved a level of sophistication that is arguably unmatched by any other contemporary is arguably unmatched by any other contemporary civilization in the West. Indeed, it is easy to see why civilization in the West. Indeed, it is easy to see why ancient Greek art has been a example for artists ancient Greek art has been a example for artists throughout the ages. Highly noticeable is throughout the ages. Highly noticeable is theemphasis on order, harmony, and balance, as theemphasis on order, harmony, and balance, as well as a focus on celebrating and idealizing the well as a focus on celebrating and idealizing the human figure. In a few wordsGreek art captured a human figure. In a few wordsGreek art captured a moment of beauty for all eternity.moment of beauty for all eternity.

GREEK ARTGREEK ART

Greek art is mainly five forms: architecture, Greek art is mainly five forms: architecture, sculpture, painting, pottery and jewellery making. sculpture, painting, pottery and jewellery making.

The ancient Greek art tends to be thought of in The ancient Greek art tends to be thought of in vague terms of vases, statues and architecture vague terms of vases, statues and architecture produced "a long time ago." Indeed a long time produced "a long time ago." Indeed a long time has passed between us and ancient Greek Art has passed between us and ancient Greek Art history, and thinking like this is a good starting history, and thinking like this is a good starting point. The vases, sculpture and architecture were point. The vases, sculpture and architecture were amazing innovations, and artists forever afterward amazing innovations, and artists forever afterward owed an enormous debt to the ancient Greeks. owed an enormous debt to the ancient Greeks.

It is also worth noting that Greek art has inspired It is also worth noting that Greek art has inspired imitations and revivals over the centuries. The imitations and revivals over the centuries. The ancient Romans were influenced heavily by Greek ancient Romans were influenced heavily by Greek art, and in time Renaissance painters, architects, art, and in time Renaissance painters, architects, and sculptors rediscovered the glories of Greeceand sculptors rediscovered the glories of Greece

GREEK ARTGREEK ART

Architecture includes houses, religious Architecture includes houses, religious buildings like temples and tombs, and public buildings like temples and tombs, and public building like city walls, theaters, stadiums, and building like city walls, theaters, stadiums, and stoas.stoas.

Sculpture includes small figurines and life-size Sculpture includes small figurines and life-size statues, but also relief sculptures which were statues, but also relief sculptures which were on the sides of buildings, and also tombstones.on the sides of buildings, and also tombstones.

We have many greek paintings from the We have many greek paintings from the Bronze Age. The paintings were painted on Bronze Age. The paintings were painted on walls, as decoration for rooms, like murals or walls, as decoration for rooms, like murals or wallpaper. wallpaper.

GEOMETRIC GREEK GEOMETRIC GREEK ARTART

Geometric Greek ArtGeometric Greek Art

Geometric ArtGeometric Art is a phase of Greek art, is a phase of Greek art, characterised largely by geometric motifs in vase characterised largely by geometric motifs in vase painting, that flourished towards the end of the painting, that flourished towards the end of the Greek Dark AgesGreek Dark Ages

This form of art is centered at Athens and later to This form of art is centered at Athens and later to the trading cities of the Aegeanthe trading cities of the Aegean

Vases in the Geometric style are characterized by Vases in the Geometric style are characterized by several horizontal bands about the circumference several horizontal bands about the circumference covering the entire vase. Between these lines the covering the entire vase. Between these lines the geometric artist used a number of other decorative geometric artist used a number of other decorative motifs such as the zigzag, the triangle, the meander motifs such as the zigzag, the triangle, the meander and the swastika. Besides abstract elements, and the swastika. Besides abstract elements, painters of this era introduced stylized depictions of painters of this era introduced stylized depictions of humans and animals which marks a significant humans and animals which marks a significant departure from the earlier departure from the earlier Protogeometric ArtProtogeometric Art. .


Protogeometric Protogeometric potpot, a pottery type , a pottery type associated with the associated with the Greek Dark Ages. Greek Dark Ages.


Protogeometric potProtogeometric pot


Besides abstract elements, Besides abstract elements, painters of this era painters of this era introduced stylized introduced stylized depictions of humans and depictions of humans and animals which marks a animals which marks a significant departure from significant departure from the earlier the earlier Protogeometric ArtProtogeometric Art. Many of . Many of the surviving objects of this the surviving objects of this period are funerary objects, period are funerary objects, a particularly important a particularly important class of which are the class of which are the amphorae that acted as amphorae that acted as grave markers for grave markers for aristocratic graves, aristocratic graves, principally the Dipylon principally the Dipylon AmphoraAmphora


ARCHAIC GREEK ARTARCHAIC GREEK ART

Archaic Greek ArtArchaic Greek Art

Archaic ArtArchaic Art 700-480 BC. During the 700-480 BC. During the Archaic period, Greek artists came Archaic period, Greek artists came into contact with ideas and styles into contact with ideas and styles from outside of Greece. from outside of Greece.

Greek Archaic Art was heavily Greek Archaic Art was heavily influenced by various styles, influenced by various styles, including the Etruscan, Syrian and including the Etruscan, Syrian and EgyptianEgyptian

Archaic Greek ArtArchaic Greek Art During the Archaic period the Greeks began again to carve During the Archaic period the Greeks began again to carve

in stone. Free-standing figures share the solidity and frontal in stone. Free-standing figures share the solidity and frontal stance characteristic of Eastern models, but their forms are stance characteristic of Eastern models, but their forms are more dynamic than those of Egyptian sculpture, as for more dynamic than those of Egyptian sculpture, as for example the Lady of Auxerre and Torso of Heraexample the Lady of Auxerre and Torso of Hera

After about 575 BC, figures, both male and female, wore After about 575 BC, figures, both male and female, wore the so-called archaic smile. This expression, which has no the so-called archaic smile. This expression, which has no specific appropriateness to the person or situation depicted, specific appropriateness to the person or situation depicted, may have been a device to give the figures a distinctive may have been a device to give the figures a distinctive human characteristic. human characteristic.

Three types of figures prevailed—the standing nude youth Three types of figures prevailed—the standing nude youth (kouros), the standing draped girl (kore), and the seated (kouros), the standing draped girl (kore), and the seated woman. All emphasize and generalize the essential features woman. All emphasize and generalize the essential features of the human figure and show an increasingly accurate of the human figure and show an increasingly accurate comprehension of human anatomy. comprehension of human anatomy.


The Greeks thus decided very early on that The Greeks thus decided very early on that the human form was the most important the human form was the most important subject for artistic endeavour. subject for artistic endeavour.

In the Archaic Period the most important In the Archaic Period the most important sculptural form was the kouros (plural sculptural form was the kouros (plural kouroikouroi), the standing male nude .The kore ), the standing male nude .The kore (plural (plural koraikorai), or standing clothed female ), or standing clothed female figure, was also common, but since Greek figure, was also common, but since Greek society did not permit the public display of society did not permit the public display of female nudity until the 4th century BC, the female nudity until the 4th century BC, the kore is considered to be of less importance kore is considered to be of less importance in the development of sculpture. in the development of sculpture.


The Archaic smile. The Archaic smile. This expression, This expression, which has no specific which has no specific appropriateness to appropriateness to the person or the person or situation depicted, situation depicted, may have been a may have been a device to give the device to give the figures a distinctive figures a distinctive human human characteristic. characteristic.


Lady of Auxerre, an Lady of Auxerre, an archaic Greek archaic Greek goddess of c. 650 - goddess of c. 650 - 625 BC. 625 BC. Persephone, with Persephone, with the archaic smile.the archaic smile.

Classical Greek ArtClassical Greek Art

Classical Greek ArtClassical Greek Art (500-323BC) The Classical period saw changes in the style (500-323BC) The Classical period saw changes in the style

and function of sculpture. Poses became more naturalistic and function of sculpture. Poses became more naturalistic and the technical skill of Greek sculptors in depicting the and the technical skill of Greek sculptors in depicting the human form in a variety of poses greatly increased. From human form in a variety of poses greatly increased. From about 500 BC statues began to depict real people.about 500 BC statues began to depict real people.

At the same time sculpture and statues were put to wider At the same time sculpture and statues were put to wider uses. The great temples of the Classical era such as the uses. The great temples of the Classical era such as the Parthenon in Athens, and the Temple of Zeus at Olympia, Parthenon in Athens, and the Temple of Zeus at Olympia, required relief sculpture for decorative friezes, and required relief sculpture for decorative friezes, and sculpture in the round to fill the triangular fields of the sculpture in the round to fill the triangular fields of the pediments. The difficult aesthetic and technical challenge pediments. The difficult aesthetic and technical challenge stimulated much in the way of sculptural innovation. stimulated much in the way of sculptural innovation. Unfortunately these works survive only in fragments, the Unfortunately these works survive only in fragments, the most famous of which are the Parthenon Marbles, half of most famous of which are the Parthenon Marbles, half of which are in the British Museum. which are in the British Museum.

Classical Greek ArtClassical Greek Art At this time the Greeks were victorious against the Persians At this time the Greeks were victorious against the Persians

in 490 BC and 479 BC ,which established Athens as the in 490 BC and 479 BC ,which established Athens as the strongest city state in Greece. Despite external threats, it strongest city state in Greece. Despite external threats, it would retain its leading cultural role for the next few would retain its leading cultural role for the next few centuries.centuries.

During the 5During the 5thth century BC, Athens witnessed a creative century BC, Athens witnessed a creative resurgence which would not only dominate future Roman resurgence which would not only dominate future Roman art, but when rediscovered by Renaissance Europe 2000 art, but when rediscovered by Renaissance Europe 2000 years later, would constitute an absolute artistic standard years later, would constitute an absolute artistic standard for another four centuries. All this despite the fact that most for another four centuries. All this despite the fact that most Greek paintings and sculptures have been destroyed.Greek paintings and sculptures have been destroyed.

In the Classical period for the first time we know the names In the Classical period for the first time we know the names of individual sculptors. Phidias oversaw the design and of individual sculptors. Phidias oversaw the design and building of the Parthenon. Praxiteles made the female nude building of the Parthenon. Praxiteles made the female nude respectable for the first time in the Late Classical period respectable for the first time in the Late Classical period (mid 4th century): his Aphrodite of Knidos, which survives (mid 4th century): his Aphrodite of Knidos, which survives in copies, was said by Pliny to be the greatest statue in the in copies, was said by Pliny to be the greatest statue in the world. world.


Harmodius and Harmodius and Aristogeiton set up Aristogeiton set up in Athens to mark in Athens to mark the overthrow of the overthrow of the tyranny were the tyranny were said to be the first said to be the first public monuments public monuments to actual people. to actual people.


Bronze Sculpture, Bronze Sculpture, thought to be either thought to be either Poseidon or Zeus. This Poseidon or Zeus. This masterpiece of masterpiece of classical sculpture was classical sculpture was found by fishermen in found by fishermen in their nets off the coast their nets off the coast of Cape Artemisium in of Cape Artemisium in 1928. The figure is 1928. The figure is more than 2 m in more than 2 m in height.height.

Classical Greek ArtClassical Greek Art The The ParthenonParthenon is a temple is a temple

in the Athenian Acropolis, in the Athenian Acropolis, Greece, dedicated to of the Greece, dedicated to of the Greek goddess Athena, Greek goddess Athena, whom the people of Athens whom the people of Athens considered their protector. considered their protector. Its construction began in Its construction began in 447 BC and was completed 447 BC and was completed in 438 BC, although in 438 BC, although decorations of the decorations of the Parthenon continued until Parthenon continued until 431 BC. It is the most 431 BC. It is the most important surviving important surviving building of Classical building of Classical Greece. The Parthenon is Greece. The Parthenon is regarded as an enduring regarded as an enduring symbol of Ancient Greece symbol of Ancient Greece and of Athenian democracy and of Athenian democracy and one of the world's and one of the world's greatest cultural greatest cultural monuments. The Greek monuments. The Greek Ministry of Culture is Ministry of Culture is currently carrying out a currently carrying out a program of selective program of selective restoration and restoration and reconstruction to ensure reconstruction to ensure the stability of the partially the stability of the partially ruined structure. ruined structure.


Statue of Statue of Zeus at Zeus at OlympiaOlympia was was made by the made by the Greek sculptor Greek sculptor Phidias, 432 Phidias, 432 BC in Olympia, BC in Olympia, Greece. It was Greece. It was one of the one of the Seven Seven Wonders of the Wonders of the Ancient World. Ancient World.


The The Aphrodite of Aphrodite of CnidusCnidus was one of the was one of the most famous works of most famous works of the ancient Greek the ancient Greek sculptor Praxiteles of sculptor Praxiteles of Athens (4th century Athens (4th century BC). It and its copies BC). It and its copies are often referred to as are often referred to as the the Venus PudicaVenus Pudica (modest Venus) type, (modest Venus) type, on account of her on account of her covering her groin with covering her groin with her right hand. her right hand.

Neo-classical Greek art Neo-classical Greek art

Neo-Classical Greek artNeo-Classical Greek art

NeoclassicismNeoclassicism is the name given to quite is the name given to quite distinct movements in the decorative and visual distinct movements in the decorative and visual arts, literature, theatre, music, and architecture arts, literature, theatre, music, and architecture that draw upon Western classical art and culture that draw upon Western classical art and culture (usually that of Ancient Greece or Ancient Rome). (usually that of Ancient Greece or Ancient Rome).

revival of a classical style (in art or literature or revival of a classical style (in art or literature or architecture or music) but from a new perspective architecture or music) but from a new perspective or with a new motivationor with a new motivation

neoclassicism is essentially an art of an ideal—an neoclassicism is essentially an art of an ideal—an artist, well schooled and comfortably familiar with artist, well schooled and comfortably familiar with the canon, does not repeat it in lifeless the canon, does not repeat it in lifeless reproductions, but synthesizes the tradition anew reproductions, but synthesizes the tradition anew in each work. in each work.

Neo-Classical Greek artNeo-Classical Greek art

In the United States In the United States some public some public buildings are built in buildings are built in the neoclassical style the neoclassical style as of at least 2006, as of at least 2006, with the completion with the completion of the Schermerhorn of the Schermerhorn Symphony Center.Symphony Center.

At the Royal Scottish At the Royal Scottish Academy, Edinburgh Academy, Edinburgh

Hellenistic Greek ArtHellenistic Greek Art

Hellenistic ArtHellenistic Art Hellenistic Art (323-146 BC) Following the conquests of Hellenistic Art (323-146 BC) Following the conquests of

Alexander the Great (336 BC to 323 BC), Greek culture spread Alexander the Great (336 BC to 323 BC), Greek culture spread as far as India, as revealed by the excavations of Ai-Khanoum as far as India, as revealed by the excavations of Ai-Khanoum in eastern Afghanistan, and the civilization of the Greco-in eastern Afghanistan, and the civilization of the Greco-Bactrians and the Indo-Greeks. Greco-Buddhist art Bactrians and the Indo-Greeks. Greco-Buddhist art represented a syncretism between Greek art and the visual represented a syncretism between Greek art and the visual expression of Buddhism.expression of Buddhism.

Thus Greek art became more diverse and more influenced by Thus Greek art became more diverse and more influenced by the cultures of the peoples drawn into the Greek orbit. In the the cultures of the peoples drawn into the Greek orbit. In the view of some art historians, it also declined in quality and view of some art historians, it also declined in quality and originality; this, however, is a judgement which artists and originality; this, however, is a judgement which artists and art-lovers of the time would not have shared. Indeed, many art-lovers of the time would not have shared. Indeed, many sculptures previously considered as classical masterpieces sculptures previously considered as classical masterpieces have turned out to be of the Hellenistic age have turned out to be of the Hellenistic age

New centres of Greek culture, particularly in sculpture, New centres of Greek culture, particularly in sculpture, developed in Alexandria, Antioch, Pergamum, and other cities. developed in Alexandria, Antioch, Pergamum, and other cities. By the 2nd century the rising power of Rome had also By the 2nd century the rising power of Rome had also absorbed much of the Greek tradition — and an increasing absorbed much of the Greek tradition — and an increasing proportion of its products as well. proportion of its products as well.

Hellenistic ArtHellenistic Art

During this period sculpture became more During this period sculpture became more and more naturalistic. Common people, and more naturalistic. Common people, women, children, animals and domestic women, children, animals and domestic scenes became acceptable subjects for scenes became acceptable subjects for sculpture, which was commissioned by sculpture, which was commissioned by wealthy families for the adornment of their wealthy families for the adornment of their homes and gardens. Realistic portraits of homes and gardens. Realistic portraits of men and women of all ages were produced, men and women of all ages were produced, and sculptors no longer felt obliged to and sculptors no longer felt obliged to depict people as ideals of beauty or depict people as ideals of beauty or physical perfection. physical perfection.

Hellenistic ArtHellenistic Art Winged Victory of Samothrace, a Winged Victory of Samothrace, a

second century B.C. marble sculpture second century B.C. marble sculpture of the Greek goddess Nike (Victory). of the Greek goddess Nike (Victory).

Nike of Samothrace was discovered in Nike of Samothrace was discovered in 1863, but was estimated to have been 1863, but was estimated to have been created around 190 BC. It was created created around 190 BC. It was created to not only honor the goddess, Nike, to not only honor the goddess, Nike, but to honor a sea battle. It conveys a but to honor a sea battle. It conveys a sense of action and triumph as well as sense of action and triumph as well as portraying artful flowing drapery portraying artful flowing drapery through its features which the Greeks through its features which the Greeks considered ideal beauty. considered ideal beauty.

Despite its significant damage and Despite its significant damage and incompleteness, the incompleteness, the VictoryVictory is held to is held to be one of the great surviving be one of the great surviving masterpieces of sculpture from the masterpieces of sculpture from the Hellenistic period, and from the entire Hellenistic period, and from the entire Greco-Roman era. The statue shows a Greco-Roman era. The statue shows a mastery of form and movement which mastery of form and movement which has impressed critics and artists since has impressed critics and artists since its discovery. It is particularly admired its discovery. It is particularly admired for its naturalism and for the fine for its naturalism and for the fine rendering of the draped garments. rendering of the draped garments.


Dying Gaul is an ancient Dying Gaul is an ancient Roman marble copy of a Roman marble copy of a lost Hellenistic sculpture lost Hellenistic sculpture that is thought to have that is thought to have been executed in been executed in bronze, which was bronze, which was commissioned some commissioned some time between 230 BC time between 230 BC and 220 BC by Attalus I and 220 BC by Attalus I of Pergamon to of Pergamon to celebrate his victory celebrate his victory over the Celtic Galatians over the Celtic Galatians in Anatolia. in Anatolia.


The The Colossus of RhodesColossus of Rhodes was a statue of the Greek was a statue of the Greek god Helios, erected in the god Helios, erected in the city of Rhodes on the Greek city of Rhodes on the Greek island of Rhodes by Chares island of Rhodes by Chares of Lindos between 292 and of Lindos between 292 and 280 BC. It is considered 280 BC. It is considered one of the Seven Wonders one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. of the Ancient World. Before its destruction, the Before its destruction, the Colossus of Rhodes stood Colossus of Rhodes stood over 30 meters (107 ft) over 30 meters (107 ft) high, making it one of the high, making it one of the tallest statues of the tallest statues of the ancient world, until it was ancient world, until it was destroyed by an destroyed by an earthquake.earthquake.

The disappearance of Greek artworksThe disappearance of Greek artworks

The tragedy of Greek art is the fact that so much The tragedy of Greek art is the fact that so much of it has disappeared. Only a very small number of of it has disappeared. Only a very small number of temples like the Parthenon and the Temple of temples like the Parthenon and the Temple of Hephaestus in Athens have survived. The Greeks Hephaestus in Athens have survived. The Greeks built a total of five wonders of the world, yet only built a total of five wonders of the world, yet only ruin fragments have survived.ruin fragments have survived.

Similarly most sculptures and reliefs from the Similarly most sculptures and reliefs from the Classical and Hellenistic eras have been destroyedClassical and Hellenistic eras have been destroyed

Greek paintings suffered worst of all. Not one Greek paintings suffered worst of all. Not one famous panel painting survives to this day. As a famous panel painting survives to this day. As a result, most of our knowledge of Greek artworks result, most of our knowledge of Greek artworks derives from contemporaneous accounts or copies derives from contemporaneous accounts or copies made by later Roman artists.made by later Roman artists.

(THE END)(THE END)

THANK THANK YOU!!!!YOU!!!!

Documents

Greek Art(Adrian's report)