🏛️Arts of Classical Greece Unit 2 – Geometric Period: Greek Art 900-700 BCE

Historical Context and Timeline

• Geometric Period spans from 900 BCE to 700 BCE, following the Greek Dark Ages (1100-900 BCE)
• Marks the beginning of the Iron Age in Greece, characterized by the use of iron tools and weapons
• Greek city-states (poleis) began to emerge, leading to increased trade and cultural exchange
• Rise of the aristocracy and the development of a more stratified society
• Colonization and expansion of Greek settlements across the Mediterranean (Southern Italy, Sicily, and Asia Minor)
• Revival of writing in the form of the Greek alphabet, adapted from the Phoenician script around 800 BCE
• Homer's epics, the Iliad and the Odyssey, were composed and transmitted orally during this period
• Establishment of Pan-Hellenic sanctuaries and festivals, such as the Olympic Games (776 BCE)

Key Characteristics of Geometric Art

• Highly stylized and abstract representations of human figures, animals, and objects
• Emphasis on geometric shapes and patterns, such as zigzags, triangles, and concentric circles
• Use of symmetry and repetition to create visually striking compositions
• Limited color palette, primarily consisting of black, red, and white
• Lack of depth and perspective, with figures and objects depicted in a flat, two-dimensional manner
• Schematic rendering of anatomy, with elongated limbs and triangular torsos
• Figures often depicted in profile view, with large, staring eyes and simplified facial features
• Ornamental bands and friezes used to divide and structure the surface of pottery and other objects

Pottery and Ceramics

• Pottery production flourished during the Geometric Period, with distinct regional styles emerging
• Vessels were primarily created using the wheel-throwing technique, allowing for greater symmetry and consistency
• Common pottery forms included amphorae, kraters, oinochoai, and skyphoi, each serving specific functions (storage, mixing, pouring, and drinking)
• Funerary vessels, such as grave markers and burial urns, were decorated with elaborate geometric patterns and figurative scenes
• Dipylon style, named after the Dipylon Gate cemetery in Athens, featured large, monumental vases with complex geometric designs and narrative scenes
• Prothesis scenes, depicting the laying out and mourning of the deceased, became a prominent theme on funerary pottery
• Orientalizing influences began to appear in Greek pottery towards the end of the Geometric Period (750-700 BCE), introducing new motifs and techniques from the Near East

Figurative Art and Sculpture

• Figurative art emerged as a prominent feature of Geometric art, particularly in the Late Geometric Period (760-700 BCE)
• Bronze statuettes, often depicting warriors, horses, and chariots, were created using the lost-wax casting technique
• Terracotta figurines, representing humans and animals, were produced as votive offerings and grave goods
  • Terracotta figurines were often painted with geometric patterns and stylized features
• Stone sculpture, though rare, began to appear in the form of grave markers and dedicatory statues
  • Early stone sculptures were characterized by their rigid, frontal poses and simplified, geometric forms
• Figurative scenes on pottery depicted mythological narratives, funeral processions, and battle scenes
  • These scenes provided insight into the social, religious, and military aspects of Geometric Period society
• Horses and chariots were frequently represented in figurative art, reflecting their importance in warfare and aristocratic culture

Motifs and Symbolism

• Meander (Greek key) pattern, a continuous line forming a repeated motif, symbolized the eternal flow of things
• Swastika, a common decorative element, likely represented the sun or the concept of eternal motion
• Spirals and concentric circles, often used as filling ornaments, may have had solar or cosmic significance
• Horse and chariot motifs represented wealth, status, and military prowess, as well as the journey to the afterlife
• Birds, particularly waterfowl, were associated with water and the passage of the soul to the underworld
• Shields and weapons, depicted in figurative scenes and as standalone motifs, emphasized the importance of warfare and the heroic ideal
• Mourning figures, often depicted with their hands raised to their heads, symbolized the grief and loss associated with death
• Abstract human figures, with their stylized and geometric forms, may have represented the deceased or divine beings

Technological Advancements

• Improved pottery production techniques, such as the use of the fast wheel and the development of the black-figure technique
• Refinement of bronze casting methods, allowing for the creation of larger and more complex statuettes
• Introduction of iron tools and weapons, which were stronger and more durable than their bronze counterparts
• Advancements in stone carving techniques, enabling the production of more elaborate grave markers and dedicatory statues
• Development of the Greek alphabet, which facilitated the spread of written communication and the recording of oral traditions
• Innovations in shipbuilding and navigation, leading to increased trade and cultural exchange across the Mediterranean
• Improvements in agricultural practices, such as the use of iron plowshares and the cultivation of new crops (olives and grapes)

Cultural and Social Significance

• Geometric art reflects the increasing social stratification and the rise of the aristocracy in Greek society
• Funerary art, such as grave markers and burial urns, emphasized the importance of family lineage and the commemoration of the deceased
• Figurative scenes on pottery provide insight into the daily life, religious practices, and military activities of the Geometric Period
• The emergence of narrative art, particularly in the Late Geometric Period, laid the foundation for the development of Greek mythological iconography
• Votive offerings, such as bronze statuettes and terracotta figurines, demonstrate the growing importance of religious practices and the establishment of sanctuaries
• The use of geometric motifs and symbols reflects a shared visual language and cultural identity among the Greek city-states
• The Geometric Period marks the beginning of the Greek artistic tradition, setting the stage for the development of Archaic and Classical art

Legacy and Influence on Later Greek Art

• The Geometric style laid the foundation for the development of Greek art, influencing the Orientalizing (700-600 BCE) and Archaic (600-480 BCE) periods
• The use of geometric patterns and motifs continued to be a prominent feature in later Greek art, particularly in architectural decoration and pottery design
• The emphasis on balance, symmetry, and proportion in Geometric art influenced the development of the Classical ideal in Greek sculpture and architecture
• Narrative scenes on Geometric pottery paved the way for the more complex and detailed storytelling found in later Greek art, such as the black-figure and red-figure techniques
• The stylization and abstraction of the human form in Geometric art served as a starting point for the gradual evolution towards more naturalistic representation in Archaic and Classical sculpture
• The funerary and votive functions of Geometric art continued to be important aspects of Greek artistic production throughout the subsequent periods
• The Geometric Period's artistic innovations and conventions, such as the use of the meander pattern and the depiction of horses and chariots, became enduring elements of Greek visual culture
• The legacy of Geometric art extends beyond the Greek world, influencing the art of neighboring cultures, such as the Etruscans and the peoples of ancient Italy