🏛️Arts of Classical Greece Unit 1 – Arts of Classical Greece: Introduction

Historical Context

• Classical Greece refers to the period from the 5th to 4th centuries BCE, following the Archaic period and preceding the Hellenistic era
• Marked by the rise of the city-state (polis) as the dominant political and social unit, with Athens and Sparta being the most prominent
• Characterized by the development of democracy in Athens under the leadership of Pericles
• Witnessed the Persian Wars (499-449 BCE) and the Peloponnesian War (431-404 BCE), which had significant impacts on Greek society and culture
• Saw the flourishing of philosophy, literature, and the arts, often referred to as the "Golden Age" of ancient Greece
• Influenced by the ideals of humanism, rationalism, and the pursuit of excellence (arete)
• Greek culture and art spread throughout the Mediterranean world through trade, colonization, and military conquests

Key Periods and Styles

• Early Classical period (480-450 BCE): Transition from Archaic to Classical styles, characterized by increased naturalism and the development of contrapposto
• High Classical period (450-400 BCE): Pinnacle of Classical art, exemplified by the sculptures of Phidias and the Parthenon
  • Emphasis on idealized beauty, harmony, and proportion
  • Perfection of contrapposto and the introduction of the "S-curve" in sculpture
• Late Classical period (400-323 BCE): Shift towards greater emotionalism, individualism, and realism in art
  • Influenced by the changing political and social landscape, including the Peloponnesian War and the rise of Macedon
• Severe style: Transitional phase between Archaic and Classical periods, characterized by a more naturalistic rendering of the human form and increased emotional expression

Major Art Forms

• Sculpture: Freestanding statues, reliefs, and architectural sculpture in marble, bronze, and other materials
  • Kouros and Kore figures evolve into more naturalistic representations
  • Development of contrapposto and the "S-curve" in sculpture
• Architecture: Temples, public buildings, and monuments, often featuring the use of orders (Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian)
  • The Parthenon on the Athenian Acropolis is a prime example of Classical Greek architecture
• Vase painting: Black-figure and red-figure techniques used to decorate ceramic vessels with mythological scenes, daily life, and athletic events
• Fresco painting: Wall paintings in public buildings and private residences, though few survive due to their fragility
• Mosaics: Decorative floor and wall coverings made from small pieces of colored stone or glass

Influential Artists and Works

• Phidias: Athenian sculptor known for his colossal statues of Athena Parthenos and Zeus at Olympia, as well as his work on the Parthenon sculptures
• Polykleitos: Sculptor and theorist famous for his treatise on proportions, the "Canon," and his sculptures of athletes, such as the Doryphoros (Spear-Bearer)
• Praxiteles: Sculptor known for his graceful and sensual figures, including the Aphrodite of Knidos and the Hermes of Olympia
• Myron: Sculptor renowned for his depictions of athletes in motion, such as the Discobolus (Discus Thrower)
• Iktinos and Kallikrates: Architects of the Parthenon on the Athenian Acropolis
• Euphronios: Vase painter known for his mastery of the red-figure technique and his depictions of mythological scenes

Techniques and Materials

• Marble sculpture: Pentelic and Parian marble were the most commonly used types, quarried from the Greek islands and mainland
  • Sculptures were often painted in bright colors, though the pigments have mostly disappeared over time
• Bronze casting: Lost-wax method used to create hollow bronze sculptures
  • Bronze allowed for more dynamic poses and greater detail than marble
• Chryselephantine sculpture: Technique using gold and ivory to create luxurious statues of deities, such as Phidias' Athena Parthenos
• Ceramic production: Clay vessels shaped on a potter's wheel, decorated using black-figure or red-figure techniques, and fired in a kiln
• Fresco painting: Pigments applied to wet plaster, creating a durable and vibrant surface
• Encaustic painting: Pigments mixed with hot wax and applied to a surface, allowing for greater depth and luminosity

Cultural Significance

• Art as a reflection of Greek values, beliefs, and ideals, such as the importance of physical beauty, athletic prowess, and moral virtue
• Sculptures and monuments used to honor gods, heroes, and victorious athletes, serving as public expressions of religious devotion and civic pride
  • The Parthenon and its sculptures celebrated Athens' patron goddess Athena and the city's political and cultural supremacy
• Art as a means of education and moral instruction, with mythological scenes and exemplary figures serving as models for proper behavior
• Artistic production as a collaborative effort involving patrons, artists, and the wider community, reflecting the importance of social cohesion and collective identity
• The development of artistic conventions and theories, such as the "Canon" of Polykleitos, which sought to establish ideal proportions and harmonious composition

Legacy and Influence

• Classical Greek art served as a foundation for the development of Hellenistic and Roman art
  • Roman sculptures often closely imitated or adapted Greek originals
• Rediscovery of Classical art during the Renaissance inspired artists such as Michelangelo and Raphael, who sought to emulate the ideals of beauty, proportion, and harmony
• Neoclassicism in the 18th and 19th centuries drew heavily on Classical Greek art, architecture, and aesthetics, as seen in the works of Antonio Canova and Jacques-Louis David
• Modern art movements, such as Cubism and Art Deco, have also been influenced by the geometric forms and stylized motifs of Greek art
• The enduring fascination with Classical Greek art has led to the widespread display of original works and reproductions in museums, public spaces, and private collections worldwide

Further Exploration

• Visit museums with extensive collections of Classical Greek art, such as the Acropolis Museum in Athens, the British Museum in London, and the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York
• Read ancient sources on Greek art and artists, such as Pliny the Elder's "Natural History" and Pausanias' "Description of Greece"
• Explore the archaeological sites of ancient Greece, such as the Athenian Acropolis, Delphi, and Olympia, to gain a firsthand understanding of the context in which Classical art was created and displayed
• Study the works of modern scholars who have contributed to our understanding of Classical Greek art, such as John Boardman, Richard Neer, and Brunilde Sismondo Ridgway
• Investigate the intersections between Classical Greek art and other aspects of ancient Greek culture, such as religion, politics, and social structure, to gain a more holistic understanding of the period
• Compare and contrast Classical Greek art with the artistic traditions of other ancient civilizations, such as Egypt, Persia, and Mesopotamia, to appreciate the unique contributions and innovations of the Greeks