Posted: January 22nd, 2024

The shifts in the art development in ancient Greece

The shifts in the art development in ancient Greece

Ancient Greece is widely regarded as the cradle of Western civilization and culture. Its artistic achievements have influenced and inspired generations of artists, from the Renaissance to the present day. But how did ancient Greek art develop over time? What were the main factors that shaped its evolution? And what can we learn from its legacy?

In this blog post, we will explore the shifts in the art development in ancient Greece, from the geometric period to the Hellenistic period. We will examine the characteristics, styles, and themes of each period, as well as the historical and social contexts that influenced them. We will also look at some of the most famous examples of ancient Greek art and how they reflect the values and ideals of their creators and audiences.

The Geometric Period (c. 900-700 BCE)

The geometric period is the earliest phase of ancient Greek art, dating from the end of the Dark Ages to the beginning of the Archaic period. It is characterized by the use of geometric shapes and patterns to decorate pottery, sculpture, and metalwork. The geometric style reflects a simple and abstract approach to art, as well as a lack of human or animal figures. The geometric art was mainly used for funerary purposes, such as marking graves or offering gifts to the dead.

One of the most famous examples of geometric art is the Dipylon Amphora, a large ceramic vessel found in a cemetery near the Dipylon Gate in Athens. The amphora is decorated with horizontal bands of geometric motifs, such as circles, triangles, squares, and zigzags. The most striking feature is the depiction of a funeral procession on the neck of the amphora, which shows human figures in a stylized and schematic manner. The figures have triangular torsos, cylindrical limbs, and round heads with dots for eyes. The amphora demonstrates the emergence of narrative and figurative elements in geometric art, as well as the importance of death and burial in ancient Greek society.

The Archaic Period (c. 700-480 BCE)

The archaic period is the phase of ancient Greek art that coincides with the rise of the city-states and the expansion of trade and colonization. It is characterized by the introduction and development of human and animal figures in sculpture, painting, and pottery. The archaic style reflects a growing interest in realism and naturalism, as well as a fascination with foreign cultures and influences.

One of the most distinctive features of archaic art is the kouros, a statue of a nude male youth standing in a rigid pose with one foot forward and arms at his sides. The kouros was inspired by Egyptian sculpture, but adapted to fit the Greek ideals of beauty and proportion. The kouros was mainly used as a grave marker or a votive offering to gods or heroes. One of the most famous examples is the Kroisos Kouros, a statue of a young warrior who died in battle. The statue shows a high degree of realism and detail, such as the muscles, veins, hair, and facial expression. The statue also shows a slight smile on the lips, which is known as the archaic smile. The archaic smile is a common feature of archaic art, which may indicate a sense of life or happiness.

Another important feature of archaic art is the black-figure pottery, a technique of painting pottery with black figures on a red background. The black-figure pottery was mainly used for depicting scenes from mythology, history, or daily life. The black-figure pottery was also influenced by foreign styles, such as Orientalizing motifs from Asia Minor or Egypt. One of the most famous examples is the François Vase, a large volute krater (a vessel for mixing wine and water) made by Kleitias and Ergotimos. The vase is decorated with over 200 figures from Greek mythology, such as gods, heroes, monsters, and animals. The vase demonstrates
the mastery and complexity of black-figure pottery, as well as the rich and diverse repertoire of ancient Greek myths.

The Classical Period (c. 480-323 BCE)

The classical period is the phase of ancient Greek art that coincides with the peak of Athenian democracy and culture under Pericles and the wars against Persia and Sparta. It is characterized by the refinement and perfection of human and animal figures in sculpture, painting, and pottery. The classical style reflects a balance between realism and idealism, as well as a harmony between form and function.

One of the most iconic features of classical art is the Parthenon, a temple dedicated to Athena on the Acropolis hill in Athens. The Parthenon was designed by Iktinos and Kallikrates and decorated by Phidias and his assistants. The Parthenon is considered a masterpiece of architecture and sculpture, as it combines mathematical precision with artistic beauty. The Parthenon has a rectangular floor plan with eight columns on each end and seventeen columns on each side. The columns have a slight curvature to create an illusion of straightness and stability. The Parthenon also has a frieze that runs along the inner walls of the cella (the main chamber) and the outer walls of the colonnade. The frieze depicts a procession of Athenians celebrating the Panathenaic festival, a religious ceremony in honor of Athena. The frieze shows a variety of figures, such as priests, elders, maidens, warriors, horses, and gods. The frieze demonstrates the skill and realism of classical sculpture, as well as the pride and identity of Athenian democracy.

Another remarkable feature of classical art is the red-figure pottery, a technique of painting pottery with red figures on a black background. The red-figure pottery was mainly used for depicting scenes from mythology, history, or daily life. The red-figure pottery was also influenced by foreign styles, such as Etruscan or Eastern motifs. One of the most famous examples is the Berlin Painter Vase, a volute krater made by the Berlin Painter. The vase depicts Apollo and Artemis slaying the children of Niobe, a mythological story of divine vengeance. The vase shows a high degree of realism and expression, such as the movement, emotion, and anatomy of the figures. The vase also shows a contrast between light and dark, as well as between order and chaos.

The Hellenistic Period (c. 323-31 BCE)

The Hellenistic period is the phase of ancient Greek art that coincides with the spread of Greek culture and influence across Asia and Africa under Alexander the Great and his successors. It is characterized by the diversity and experimentation of human and animal figures in sculpture, painting, and pottery. The Hellenistic style reflects a range of emotions and attitudes, from joy and pleasure to pain and sorrow.

One of the most striking features of Hellenistic art is the Laocoön Group, a sculpture of a Trojan priest and his sons being attacked by sea serpents sent by Athena. The sculpture was made by Hagesandros, Polydoros, and Athenodoros of Rhodes. The sculpture is considered a masterpiece of drama and pathos, as it captures the agony and horror of the victims. The sculpture shows a high degree of realism and detail, such as the muscles, veins, skin, hair, and facial expression. The sculpture also shows a dynamic composition and movement, as the figures twist and turn in different directions.

Another impressive feature of Hellenistic art is the mosaic, a technique of creating images with small pieces of colored glass, stone, or other materials. The mosaic was mainly used for decorating floors, walls, or ceilings of buildings or monuments. The mosaic was also influenced by foreign styles, such as Egyptian or Persian motifs. One of the most famous examples is the Alexander Mosaic, a floor mosaic from Pompeii that depicts the battle between Alexander the Great and Darius III at Issus. The mosaic is based on a lost painting by Philoxenos of Eretria. The mosaic shows a high degree of realism and expression,
such as the perspective, shading, color, and emotion of the figures. The mosaic also shows a dramatic scene and narrative, as Alexander confronts Darius in a decisive moment.

Conclusion

Ancient Greek art is one of the most influential and enduring forms of art in human history. It reflects the evolution and diversity of ancient Greek civilization and culture over time. It also reveals the values and ideals of ancient Greek society, such as beauty, proportion, harmony, democracy, heroism, wisdom, and emotion. By studying ancient Greek art, we can gain a deeper understanding and appreciation of our own artistic heritage and legacy.

References

– Boardman J., Griffin J., Murray O., eds., *The Oxford History of Greece & the Hellenistic World*, 2nd ed., Oxford University Press: Oxford 2001.
– Hurwit J.M., *The Art And Culture Of Early Greece*, Cornell University Press: Ithaca 1985.
– Pedley J.G., *Greek Art And Archaeology*, 6th ed., Pearson: New York 2017.
– Pollitt J.J., *Art In The Hellenistic Age*, Cambridge University Press: Cambridge 1986.

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