Ancient Mediterranean Greece
Background Info 3 periods (studied chronologically, according to style, brought on by change): -Archaic 600-480 BCE -Classical 480-323 BCE -Hellenistic 323-30 BCE Known for idealization and harmonious proportions (Golden Ratio) Impact on European and American art and architecture. Greek revival period in Europe in 18 th century. Ancient Greek literature illuminate our understanding of Greek culture and art early account of artists and writers (epics are foundation of Greek writing). Oral traditions eventually written down.
Background Info Continued Aegean society collapses for unknown reasons around 1100 BCE and reorganized around 900 BCE as small, competing citystates united only in language and fear out invasion. Persian invasion was neutralized when all states rallied together in 480 BCE, destroying Athens in the process. Return to fighting led worst internal struggle in Peloponnesian War in which Sparta defeated Athens, after which disunity continued. Alexander the Great united Greece under one ruler in the 4 th century BCE. After his death, Greece once again fell apart, and was eventually absorbed by Rome.
Greek Sculpture 3 ways Greek sculpture is different than preceding cultures: 1. Unafraid of nudity glorified the perception of the ideal human form. Mostly male nudity; towards end of Greek civilization some female nudity. 2. Free-standing stone sculpture and large-scale bronze sculpture. 3. Contrapposto- S curve shows relaxation and movement of the human form; fluid and natural form of body.
Archaic Greek Sculpture Surviving works limited to grave monuments and temple figures. Kouros and Kore-Archaic Greek youths. Frontal and upright with square shoulders, knotted hair, and curlicue ears; free standing; one foot forward; archaic smile. Marble is primary medium. Sculpture is painted. Backgrounds are often red. Metallic accessories (thunderbolt, harp, etc..) Bronze is hollow lost wax technique (cire perdue) Eyes inlaid with stone or glass; lips, nipples, and teeth sometimes made of copper or highlighted with silver.
27. Anavysos Kouros Archaic Greek c. 530 B.C.E. Marble of remnants of paint Grave marker that replaces large vases Not a real portrait, but rather an idealized representation of a warrior Named after Kroisos, a young military hero noted at base Rigid, frontal, nude, freestanding; hair neatly knotted and then braided down back, eyes open and wide Influence from Egypt are evident (style and forward stride) Evidence of paint Archaic smile-provide life to mask-like face Video in notes
28. Peplos Kore from the Acropolis Archaic Greek c. 530 B.C.E. Marble, painted details Broken hand probably means she was fitted with an attribute. Goddess? The hand emerges into space, breaking the mold of archaic statue style. Tightened waist, breasts revealed beneath drapery, rounded and naturalistic face, hair falls in a naturalistic manner across shoulders. Peplos-the name of her garment Paint remains Video in notes
Classical Greek Sculpture Use of contrapposto Idealized, heroic forms established by Polykleitos sculptor who created canon of proportions. Head should be 1/7 of body, favored musculature alternating between stressed and relaxed. Peloponnesian War ended Classical style in favor of more humanistic perspective of the body and expressions (heads are 1/8 of body and exaggerated S - curve. This would eventually lead into Hellenistic style.
34. Doryphoros (Spear Bearer) Polykleitos 450-440 B.C.E. Roman copy (marble) of Greek original (bronze) Alternating elements of tension and relaxation. Restrained movement with solid, block-like appearance. Broad shoulders, thick torso, muscular body, averted gaze Spartan ideal Warrior and athlete who once held a spear (found in Pompeii, a center for athletic training) Many Greek works we look at today are Roman copies of Greek originals. Greek originals in bronze were typically later melted down and used for weapons. Romans valued Greek culture arts, leisure, and learning. Became popular when Romans began to invade Greece in 211 B.C.E. The Spear Bearer was one of the most popular, and widely copied sculptures. Many Roman copies were buried and sustained damaged over centuries. This sculpture was found in Pompeii and abides by the canon of proportions established for the ideal human in Greek culture. Video in notes
Beauty by the Numbers What does an ideal human look like physically? Greeks derived their perfect proportions from the Egyptians in what they called the Golden Ratio. Divide your height by the distance from your toe to your belly button. The closer you are to 1.618, the more ideal your form, according to the Greeks. Video in notes
36. Grave stele of Hegeso Attributed to Kallimachos c. 410 B.C.E. Marble and paint In Archaic period Kouroi were used to mark graves, in the classical period stelae, like this, are used. Erected in Dipylon cemetery in Athens. Commemorates the death of Hegesos; inscription identifies her and her father. Genre Scene: woman examining a piece of jewelry from a jewelry box handed to her by a servant; represents dowry? Jewelry painted in not visible. Video in notes
Hellenistic Greek Sculpture Shows wider range of movement and emotion. Themes untouched by Classical Greek art appear in Hellenistic art childhood, old age, despair, anger, and drunkenness. Viewer is intended to walk around the Hellenistic sculpture not intended to be placed on a wall. Influenced by warfare between Greeks and Romans.
37. Winged Victory of Samothrace Hellenistic Greece c. 190 B.C.E. Marble and paint Nike is symbol of victory. Probably commemorated a naval victory. The boat at the base is a battleship with oar boxes, and traces of a ram. Originally stood above a sanctuary in Samothrace. Meant to be placed above or in a fountain of cascading water around rocks below. Found in situ. Wet drapery imitates water on wet body. Dramatic Contrapposto twist. Missing right arm may have held a raised arm with a crown in an open hand gesture perhaps landing on the prow of a ship. The best examples of Hellenistic art come from the Kingdom of Pergamon (Turkey).
Video in notes
41. Seated Boxer Hellenistic Greek c. 100 B.C.E. Bronze Rare Hellenistic bronze. Part of a group? Or single sculpture with head turned to face an opponent? Depicts older man, nude, defeated; smashed nose, lips sunken in to suggest broken teeth, cauliflower ears, hands wrapped in bandages Copper used to highlight lips, nipples, and straps, wounds. Toes worn away from touching. Good luck charm? Video in notes
Laocoon displeased Apollo by sleeping with his wife and sent two sea serpents which are dragging Laocoon down into the sea. Another story says that Laocoon and his sons were killed because they attempted to expose the plan of the Trojan Horse by striking it with a spear.
Greek Pottery and Painting Much of what we know of Greek painting comes from Greek pottery. Mural painting almost totally gone. Professional pottery practices through the ages. Some vessels (kraters-bowl for mixing water and wine) are for everyday use, some are grave markers. Massive grave markers have holes at bottom so that liquid can pour over the grave itself. These often have scenes of the deceased lying on a bier, surrounded by mourners. Chariots and warriors complete the procession. Form follows function. Amphora (two handled vessel) would hold things like oil or wine with an opening large enough for a ladle. A wide range of inscriptions could greet the viewer or tell the narrative on the pot. The underside would usually indicate the transaction for the acquisition of the pot. Black figure-executed in Archaic period. Red-figure-present towards end of Archaic period and beyond. Stylistically painting and pottery follows sculpture of the Greek periods.
Found in Orvieto, Italy Called Niobid Krater because one side depicts the killing of Niobid s children. She bragged about fertility of her children to god Leto (only had two children). Leto s children (Apollo and Artemis) shown seeking revenge, killing the 12 children of Niobid. On the other side we aren t 100% on story: 1-Hercules surrounded by heroes in arms and Athena. 2-Warriors of Marathon place themselves under the protection of Hercules. We see iscocephalism (heads on same level) for the first time in vase painting being jettisoned. Influence of wall paintings? 33. Niobides Krater Anonymous AKA Niobid Painter c. 460-450 B.C.E. Clay Red-figure technique Video in notes
40. Alexander Mosaic from the House of the Faun c. 310 BCE (Roman copy c.100 BCE) Mosaic Alexander-young, brave, assured Darius in center right on chariothorrified, weak Crowded and chaotic; complex interweaving of characters On a Roman floor mosaic based on a Greek painting (original) Found at Pompeii
Greek Architecture Temples are earthly homes for gods and limited public access to the deity. Deities were represented in large statues. Worship took place at a smaller temple near the main temple structure. Front and back of Greek temples are nearly identical. 3 types of temples: Doric, Ionic, Corinthian Doric-fluted shaft with out a base. Unadorned architrave with alternating triglyphs and metopes (depicted scenes from Greek mythology). Doric style often found on mainland Greece. Ionic style popular in the islands of Greece included volute capitals, columns that sit on a base, and friezes within the entablature. Corinthian order introduced later with acanthus leaves on the capitals and straight columns that transitioned into the base. In some cases, the orders are mixed, as in the case of the Parthenon, which is a Doric temple with an Ionic frieze on the interior of the temple.
Video in notes
Greek Architecture continued Temples are placed on high hills, or an acropolis, over looking the city. Gateways called propylaea prepared the visitor for entrance into the complex. Greek temples show reliance from the past with the exception of two new forms: tholos (circular shrine) and caryatids (columns shaped as humans). With the exception of the tholos shrines, temples are rectangular, constructed using post and lintel, and organized on geometric principles (Golden Ratio). Peristyle columns completely surround the inner core of the temples. Pediments project over the temples and also hold sculpture depicting the heroic life of the deity inside. The cornice separates the upper and lower portion of a Greek temple. Doors are set back from the façade, increasing the mystery about the interior. Other than temples Greeks built shopping centers and theaters. Greek theaters are an architectural marvel, sitting in the open air in a crowd of up to 12,000 and 55 rows back, one can hear every word spoken.
35. Athenian agora 600-150 BCE Athens, Greece Plaza at the base of the Acropolis in Athens that contained commercial, religious, and social buildings. Ceremonies took place here including the Panathenaic Festival as well as parades to honor Athena in a diagonal through the plaza. Surrounded by important buildings such as: bouleuterion (council of citizens), tholos (manned by senators 24 hours a day for emergency meetings), stoas (covered walkways
35. Acropolis Athens, Greece Iktinos and Kallikrates c. 447-410 B.C.E. Marble Video in notes *Acropolis plan *Parthenon
Constructed under Pericles after Persian sack of Athens in 480 BCE. Using extra funds from Persian war treasury, angering Greek allies. Greek preference for mathematics expressed in the Golden Ratio using x=2y+1 leading to 17 columns on side (x) and 8 on the front (y) and the ratio of the length to width being 9:4. Proportions for the cella are the same. Two windows inside cella to light interior. Floor curves up in center to drain rain water and deflect appearance of sagging ends. Columns at ends are surrounded by light, altering their appearance, therefore made thicker to look the same as the others. Temple exterior is Doric, but interior features include Ionic columns and frieze. Interior had massive state of Athena made of wood on interior, covered in ivory and gold.
*Helios, horses, and Dionysus (Heracles?)
35. Helios, Horses, and Dionysos c. 438-432 BCE marble Sculptures from the Parthenon, also called the Elgin marbles. From east pediment. Shows the birth of Athena from the head of Zeus, and other deities watching. Two seated goddesses are Demeter and Persephone. Classical Greek style using contrapposto.
35. Plaque of the Ergastines c. 438-432 BCE marble Scene from Panathenaic Frieze depicting Panathenaic Procession (held every four years to honor Athena) Procession begins at Dipylon Gate, passed through the agora, and ended at Parthenon. Athenians places a new peplos on the statue. Six Ergastines (women who wove the peplos) are greeted by two priests. Isocephalism: tradition of depicting heads on same level. Alternate theory: not Panathenaic Procession but story of legendary Athenian king, Erechtheus, who scarified one of his daughters to save Athens, told to do so by the Oracle of Delphi. First time in Greek art showing a human event on a temple.
Marble metope from the Parthenon, c. 447-438 B.C.E., 172 cm tall, Acropolis, Athens Trustees of the British Museum The sculpted decoration of the Parthenon included ninety-two metopes showing scenes of mythical battle. Iris, from the west pediment of the Parthenon, c. 438-432 B.C.E., marble, 135 cm high, Athens, Greece Trustees of the British Museum The pediment sculptures (carved in the round) filled the triangular gables at each end.
Horsemen from the west frieze of the Parthenon, c. 438-432 B.C.E., 100cm tall, Acropolis, Athens Trustees of the British Museum The horsemen have been moving at some speed, but are now reining back so as not to appear to ride off the edge of the frieze. Video in notes
Figures of three goddesses from the east pediment of the Parthenon, c. 438-432 B.C.E., 233 cm long, Acropolis, Athens Trustees of the British Museum The east pediment of the Parthenon showed the birth of goddess Athena from the head of her father Zeus.
35. Temple of Athena Nike Kallikrates 425 BCE Athens, Greece marble Amphiprostyle: temple with four columns in the front and four in the back. Built to commemorate the Greek victory over the Persians in the Battle of Marathon. Many images of victory on temple.
35. Victory Adjusting Her Sandal, from the Temple of Athena Nike c. 410 BCE Athens, Greece marble Winged Nike modeled in high relief. Deeply incised drapery lines reveal body and wet drapery.
38. Great Altar of Zeus and Athena at Pergamon Asia Minor (Present day Turkey) Hellenistic Greek c. 175 B.C.E. Marble Ionic columns Frieze is sculpted in high relief; 7 ½ feet in height wrapping 400 feet around the monument. Hellenistic work seeks balance through the use of diagonals, whereas Classical Greek sculpture finds balance through the use of vertical and horizontal lines. Some of the figure here crawl out beyond the architectural space. Hellenistic art gives way to heightened forms of expression. Video in notes
38. Great Altar of Zeus and Athena at Pergamon Asia Minor (Present day Turkey) Hellenistic Greek c. 175 B.C.E. Marble Gigantomachy-mythical war between Greek gods and giants. The giants, who are helpless, are being dragged up the stairs to worship the gods. Gods victory over the giants parallels Alexander the Great s victory over the Persians. Deeply carved, overlapping figures; intense, heroic musculature Athena grabs Alkyoneos by the hair and drags him up the stairs to worship Zeus. Nike crowns Athena in victory/ Gaia: earth goddess, looks on in horror, pleading for the fate of her sons (giants).
Style Sheet Archaic Classical Hellenistic
Historical Narrative Analysis-Part #1 Homework TONIGHT: Think of a story from contemporary or ancient history. ANY STORY. Research the general story line, take notes if you need to. Come back with your information for tomorrow.
Historical Narrative Analysis-Part #2 and #3 Construct a visual narrative using simple drawings and simples to tell the story you researched last night. Write an analysis of your drawn narrative. Identify which aspects of your story you included, how, and why they are represented. Which aspects are left out and why? How does the form and content of the visual narrative relate to your artistic intent?
Short Essay
The Meaning of Classical: Persuasive Essay Think about the following styles: Greek Archaic, Classical, and Hellenistic, Roman Republican, early and late imperial. We call this era of history the classical past. What is meant by the word classical? How does this term relate to ideals that change over time. What does this word tell us about the past and our present? Be sure to cite specific examples of art.