Greek & Roman ArtAchievements in Pottery, Sculpture, Mosaic and Painting

What contributed to Greek achievements?• Adult men had enough education and free time

to pursue the arts• Built upon the skills they learned from the

cultures around them (e.g. Egypt)

Greek Pottery

• Mostly for everyday use (e.g. cups, mixing bowls)• Athens and Corinth most important makers of

pottery• Made on hand-operated wheels, decorated and fired

in a kiln• Most pottery used black paint and the natural red

colour of the clay to create images• Early pottery called “geometric” because it was

decorated with lines, circles & strips of colour• 8th century BCE: began to decorate with images of people• Showed images from mythology and everyday life

AmphoraAn example of the geometric style pottery that was popular from around 900-725 BCE.

Amphora, 600 BCEThis is a “black figure” design where the image is painted in black and the red clay comes through in the background. This amphora depicts athletes competing in a race in the Olympic games.

Amphora, 520 BCEThis is a “red figure” design where the image is in red and the background is painted black. This technique allowed potters to add more detail and images became more realistic.

Greek Sculpture• Carved from stone or cast in bronze• Archaic period:• Terracotta figures in stiff poses• Unnatural wig-like hair• Simple lines and patterns decorate clothing

• Classical period:• Ideal body and serene face• Shown in prime of life• Natural movement and realistic details• Male nudes were favourite subject

• Hellenistic period:• Greater emotion on faces• More varied poses

Kleobis and BitonExamples of sculpture from the Archaic period, these statues are of two brothers and were carved at Delphi around 580 BCE. They are an example of kouros statues, which feature male youth with their arms at their sides and left foot forward.

Artemision BronzeThought to be either Poseidon or Zeus, this bronze statue is a good example of the idealized human forms of the Classical period. It was cast around 460 BCE.

Boxer of QuirinalFrom the Hellenistic period, this statue of a boxer shows the move away from idealism towards a more realistic depiction of the human form. The boxer’s face, for example, shows his emotion, but also his scars, broken nose and cauliflower ears.

What contributed to Roman achievements?• Influenced by Greeks and Etruscans• Greek artists moved to Rome when Greece

conquered• Also made its own innovations

Roman Sculpture• Imported Greek sculptures to decorate their

homes & public spaces• Copied Greek models closely• Adopted a more realistic style• Showed age• Expressions showed character rather than emotion

• Focused on head and face (bust)• During the Empire, focussed on larger works

documenting Roman victories and achievements

Belvedere ApolloThis is a Roman copy of a Greek bronze. It is from these Roman copies that we have gained much of our knowledge about Greek sculpture.

Bust of Julius CaesarThis bust was carved in about 46 BCE and shows the realism that differentiated Roman sculpture from the idealism of Greek sculpture. We can see Caesar’s age and experience written in the lines of his face.

Trajan’s ColumnEmperor Trajan erected this column to celebrate his victories in the Dacian Wars. It is a prime example of how sculpture during the Empire celebrated Roman achievements and history.

Roman Mosaics • Often depict daily life, so they’re a great historical

source• Also show historical or mythological scenes• Christian themes became more popular as the

religion spread• Found in homes and religious buildings

Floor DecorationMany homes featured geometric designs as decoration. This example is from England; Roman artists traveled around the Empire creating mosaics.

Triumph of NeptuneCreated in the mid-third century CE.

Ulysses and the SirensFrom the 2nd century CE, this mosaic shows a scene from the Odyssey where Odysseus ties himself to the mast to resist the siren’s song.

Roman Painting• Painters less important than sculptors• Favoured detailed, realistic still-life subjects• Decorated walls of wealthy homes to make them

look larger• Portraits, especially of deceased family members,

were also common

Oak Tree with BirdsFound in the Villa di Livia, this fresco was part of an underground garden inside the home. People would have gone into the basement room to keep cool on hot days and the paintings would have made them feel as if they were still outdoors.

Pompeian Still LifeThis still life painting was discovered in the ruins of Pompeii

Woman WriterThis fresco was also found in the ruins of Pompeii and was probably painted in the 1st century CE. Portraiture was a popular form of Roman painting.