🏛️Arts of Classical Greece Unit 3 – Orientalizing Period: Greek Art 700-600 BCE

Historical Context and Timeline

• The Orientalizing Period in Greek art spans from approximately 700 to 600 BCE
• Follows the Greek Dark Ages (1100-800 BCE) and precedes the Archaic Period (600-480 BCE)
• Marked by increased contact and trade with Eastern civilizations, particularly Egypt, Assyria, and Phoenicia
• Greek city-states and colonies were established across the Mediterranean during this time
• Rise of aristocracy and social stratification in Greek society
• Emergence of Pan-Hellenic sanctuaries and festivals, such as the Olympic Games (776 BCE)
• Development of the Greek alphabet, adapted from the Phoenician script (8th century BCE)

Key Characteristics of Orientalizing Art

• Incorporation of Eastern motifs, designs, and techniques into Greek art
• Proliferation of exotic animals and mythical creatures (sphinxes, griffins, lions)
• Increased use of floral and vegetal patterns (lotus, palmette, rosette)
• Adoption of Eastern luxury materials (ivory, gold, silver, faience)
• Shift from abstract geometric designs to more naturalistic and figurative representations
• Emergence of narrative scenes and mythological themes in art
• Development of new pottery styles, such as Proto-Corinthian and Proto-Attic

Major Influences from Eastern Cultures

• Egyptian influence evident in the use of hieratic poses, composite creatures, and stylized rendering of figures
  • Adoption of Egyptian deities and symbols (Isis, Horus, ankh)
• Assyrian and Near Eastern influence seen in the use of frieze-like compositions, animal combat scenes, and winged figures
• Phoenician influence visible in the adoption of new techniques (faience production, ivory carving) and motifs (tree of life, cable pattern)
• Transmission of Eastern influences through trade, diplomacy, and the movement of artisans and craftsmen
• Greek artists selectively adapted and reinterpreted Eastern elements to suit their own cultural context and aesthetic preferences

Important Artistic Centers and Regions

• Corinth emerges as a major center for pottery production and export
  • Development of the Proto-Corinthian style, characterized by miniature vases and intricate black-figure decoration
• Athens rises in importance, with the production of large-scale vases and the emergence of the Proto-Attic style
• East Greek cities (Miletus, Samos, Rhodes) serve as key conduits for the transmission of Eastern influences
• Crete and the Cyclades islands continue their artistic traditions while incorporating Orientalizing elements
• Greek colonies in Italy (Pithecusae, Cumae) and the Black Sea (Berezan, Olbia) contribute to the spread of Orientalizing art

Notable Artworks and Artifacts

• Proto-Corinthian aryballos (oil flask) with animal frieze, c. 650 BCE (Boston Museum of Fine Arts)
• Proto-Attic amphora with Odysseus and Polyphemus, c. 650 BCE (Eleusis Museum)
• Ivory plaques from the sanctuary of Hera at Samos, depicting sphinxes and lions, c. 650-600 BCE
• Gold scepter from the Teke burial in Crete, with Egyptian-inspired lotus decoration, c. 700 BCE (Heraklion Archaeological Museum)
• Faience vessels and figurines from Rhodes, showcasing Eastern techniques and iconography, c. 650-600 BCE

Techniques and Materials

• Black-figure pottery technique developed, involving incising details into a black silhouette against a red clay background
  • Use of white and purple slip for added color and highlights
• Adoption of the potter's wheel for more consistent and efficient ceramic production
• Increased use of molds for the mass production of terracotta figurines and plaques
• Metalworking techniques refined, including repoussé (hammering from the reverse side), granulation, and filigree
• Ivory carving and inlay work become more prevalent, often used for luxury objects and furniture decoration
• Faience production, a technique borrowed from Egypt, used for small vessels and figurines

Symbolism and Iconography

• Exotic animals (lions, sphinxes, griffins) symbolize power, royalty, and protection
  • Often depicted in heraldic compositions or animal combat scenes
• Floral and vegetal motifs (lotus, palmette, rosette) represent fertility, regeneration, and divine blessing
• Mythological creatures (centaurs, sirens, gorgons) embody the blending of human and animal forms, reflecting the influence of Eastern composite beings
• Narrative scenes from Greek mythology and epic poetry begin to appear, showcasing heroic deeds and divine interventions
  • Depictions of Heracles, Odysseus, and the Trojan War become popular
• Religious iconography, such as votive statues and temple decorations, incorporates Orientalizing elements while maintaining Greek cultic traditions

Legacy and Impact on Later Greek Art

• The Orientalizing Period sets the stage for the development of distinctly Greek artistic styles and conventions
• Adoption of Eastern techniques and materials leads to advancements in pottery, metalworking, and ivory carving
• Incorporation of narrative scenes and mythological themes paves the way for the iconographic programs of later Greek art
  • Continuous frieze compositions and pediment sculptures in Archaic and Classical temples
• Orientalizing motifs and designs continue to be used and adapted throughout the Archaic and Classical periods
  • Palmette-lotus chain, egg-and-dart, and meander patterns in architectural decoration
• The synthesis of Eastern influences with Greek artistic sensibilities contributes to the formation of a unique Hellenic visual culture
• Orientalizing art serves as a testament to the cultural exchanges and interactions between Greece and the Eastern Mediterranean world