🏺Greek Art and Architecture – 500 to 320 BC Unit 12 – Greek Mythology in Classical Art

Key Figures and Stories

• Zeus, king of the gods, known for his power, infidelity, and transformation into various forms (swan, bull) to seduce mortal women
• Hera, queen of the gods, often depicted as a jealous and vengeful wife due to Zeus' infidelities
• Athena, goddess of wisdom, war, and crafts, born fully armed from Zeus' head after he swallowed her mother Metis
  • Frequently depicted alongside heroes like Odysseus and Heracles, providing guidance and aid in their quests
• Aphrodite, goddess of love and beauty, born from the foam of the sea after Cronus castrated Uranus
  • Often portrayed with her son Eros (Cupid), who could inspire love or lust with his arrows
• Apollo, god of music, poetry, prophecy, and healing, known for his pursuit of the nymph Daphne who was transformed into a laurel tree
• Dionysus, god of wine, theater, and ecstasy, frequently depicted in a state of intoxication surrounded by his followers (maenads and satyrs)
• Heracles (Hercules), a demigod and hero famous for his twelve labors, which included slaying the Nemean Lion and capturing Cerberus
• Perseus, a hero who slayed the Gorgon Medusa and rescued Andromeda from a sea monster using Medusa's severed head

Origins and Cultural Context

• Greek mythology developed from a combination of Indo-European, Near Eastern, and local influences, with the earliest written accounts found in Homer's Iliad and Odyssey (8th century BCE)
• Myths served various purposes in ancient Greek society, including explaining natural phenomena, providing moral lessons, and legitimizing political power
• The pantheon of gods and goddesses were believed to reside on Mount Olympus, interacting with and intervening in human affairs
• Mythological stories were transmitted orally by poets and storytellers before being recorded in written form
  • The works of Hesiod (Theogony, Works and Days) and the Homeric Hymns also contributed to the codification of Greek mythology
• Festivals and religious rituals, such as the Dionysia and the Eleusinian Mysteries, celebrated and reenacted mythological events
• The Greeks believed in the concept of fate (moira) and the importance of honoring the gods through prayer, sacrifice, and devotion
• Mythological figures and stories were often used to represent and reinforce societal values, such as hospitality (xenia), honor, and loyalty

Artistic Techniques and Mediums

• Greek artists depicted mythological scenes and figures on a variety of mediums, including pottery, sculpture, and architecture
• Black-figure pottery (6th century BCE) featured silhouetted figures against a red background, with details incised into the clay
  • Mythological scenes were common subjects, such as Heracles' labors or the Trojan War
• Red-figure pottery (late 6th century BCE) reversed the color scheme, allowing for greater detail and expressiveness in the depictions
• Sculpture in bronze and marble portrayed gods, goddesses, and heroes in idealized forms, emphasizing beauty, symmetry, and proportion
  • The Severe style (early 5th century BCE) depicted figures with angular, almost geometric forms and solemn expressions
  • The Classical style (mid-5th to 4th century BCE) achieved a balance between idealization and naturalism, with more fluid poses and emotional depth
• Architectural sculpture, such as the Parthenon frieze and metopes, depicted mythological scenes and figures as an integral part of temple decoration
• Painting, though less well-preserved, was also used to depict mythological subjects, as evidenced by literary accounts and surviving examples (Tomb of the Diver in Paestum)

Iconic Artworks and Their Meanings

• The Parthenon frieze (c. 447-432 BCE) depicts the Panathenaic procession, a festival in honor of Athena, featuring gods, heroes, and Athenian citizens
  • The east pediment shows the birth of Athena, while the west pediment portrays the contest between Athena and Poseidon for patronage of Athens
• The Pergamon Altar (c. 180-160 BCE) features a monumental frieze depicting the Gigantomachy, the battle between the gods and the giants
  • The dynamic, highly expressive figures showcase the Hellenistic style's emphasis on emotion and movement
• The Aphrodite of Knidos by Praxiteles (c. 350 BCE) was the first monumental female nude in Greek sculpture, representing a shift in the depiction of the female form
• The Laocoon Group (c. 200 BCE) captures the moment when the Trojan priest Laocoon and his sons are attacked by serpents sent by the gods, highlighting the emotional intensity of Hellenistic art
• The Nike of Samothrace (c. 200-190 BCE) depicts the winged goddess of victory alighting on the prow of a ship, her drapery billowing in the wind, symbolizing the Hellenistic era's interest in capturing transient moments
• The Alexander Mosaic (c. 100 BCE) from the House of the Faun in Pompeii depicts the Battle of Issus between Alexander the Great and Darius III of Persia, demonstrating the influence of Greek art on Roman culture

Symbolism and Themes

• Gods and goddesses were often associated with specific attributes or symbols that helped identify them in art
  • Zeus: thunderbolt, eagle, oak tree
  • Athena: owl, aegis (shield), olive tree
  • Poseidon: trident, horse, dolphin
  • Dionysus: grapevine, thyrsus (staff), leopard skin
• Heroes were depicted with attributes related to their mythological feats or qualities
  • Heracles: lion skin, club
  • Perseus: winged sandals, helmet of invisibility, Medusa's head
• Animals played symbolic roles in mythological art, representing divine attributes or serving as omens
  • Owl: wisdom (Athena)
  • Eagle: power, authority (Zeus)
  • Snake: regeneration, healing (Asclepius)
  • Bull: strength, fertility (Zeus, Dionysus)
• Mythological scenes often conveyed themes of hubris (excessive pride), divine retribution, and the consequences of defying the gods
  • The punishment of Prometheus for stealing fire from the gods
  • The fall of Icarus for flying too close to the sun
  • Arachne's transformation into a spider for challenging Athena in weaving
• The hero's journey, a common narrative structure in mythology, was frequently depicted in art, featuring trials, supernatural aid, and ultimate triumph (Heracles, Odysseus, Jason)

Evolution of Mythological Depictions

• Archaic period (c. 800-480 BCE) depictions of mythological figures were often stylized and symbolic, focusing on key attributes and actions
  • Kouros and Kore statues represented idealized youths and were sometimes associated with Apollo and Persephone, respectively
• Early Classical period (c. 480-450 BCE) saw a shift towards more naturalistic and expressive depictions, as artists began to explore the human form and emotions
  • The Severe style, exemplified by the Kritios Boy, depicted figures with tense, angular poses and solemn expressions
• High Classical period (c. 450-400 BCE) achieved a balance between idealization and naturalism, with mythological figures portrayed as embodiments of perfect beauty and harmony
  • The sculptures of Phidias, such as the Athena Parthenos and the Zeus at Olympia, set the standard for divine representation
• Late Classical period (c. 400-323 BCE) introduced more dynamic poses, psychological depth, and individualized features in mythological depictions
  • Praxiteles' Hermes and the Infant Dionysus showcased a more intimate, human-like interaction between divine figures
• Hellenistic period (c. 323-31 BCE) emphasized emotion, movement, and dramatic storytelling in mythological art
  • The Pergamon Altar and the Laocoön Group exemplify the Hellenistic style's interest in capturing the climax of a narrative and evoking strong emotional responses

Impact on Later Art and Culture

• Greek mythological art had a profound influence on Roman art, as the Romans adopted and adapted Greek gods, heroes, and stories
  • The Roman pantheon incorporated Greek deities, often under different names (Zeus/Jupiter, Athena/Minerva, Ares/Mars)
  • Roman mythological art often drew upon Greek iconography and styles, as seen in the Apollo Belvedere and the Venus de Milo
• The rediscovery of Greek and Roman art during the Renaissance led to a renewed interest in classical mythology and its representation in art
  • Artists such as Botticelli (The Birth of Venus), Michelangelo (Bacchus), and Bernini (Apollo and Daphne) drew inspiration from ancient mythological themes and motifs
• Neoclassicism in the 18th and 19th centuries saw a revival of interest in Greek and Roman art, with artists and architects seeking to emulate the ideals of balance, harmony, and proportion
  • Jacques-Louis David's Oath of the Horatii and Antonio Canova's Psyche Revived by Cupid's Kiss exemplify the Neoclassical style's engagement with mythological subjects
• Greek mythological art continues to inspire and influence contemporary artists, who often reinterpret and subvert classical themes and imagery
  • Yinka Shonibare's Discobolus (2016) reimagines the iconic ancient sculpture with African wax-printed fabric, commenting on cultural identity and colonialism
  • Damien Hirst's Treasures from the Wreck of the Unbelievable (2017) presents a fictitious collection of ancient artifacts, blurring the lines between history, mythology, and contemporary art

Must-Know Facts

• The ancient Greeks did not have a single canonical version of their myths, leading to variations in stories and depictions across time and region
• The Trojan War, a central event in Greek mythology, was believed to have been a historical conflict and inspired numerous artistic depictions (the Iliad, the Odyssey, the Aeneid)
• The Parthenon, dedicated to Athena, was the centerpiece of the Athenian Acropolis and housed a monumental gold and ivory statue of the goddess (Athena Parthenos) by Phidias
• The Elgin Marbles, a collection of sculptures from the Parthenon, were controversially removed by Lord Elgin in the early 19th century and are now housed in the British Museum
• The Riace Bronzes, two ancient Greek bronze sculptures of nude warriors, were discovered off the coast of Riace, Italy in 1972 and are considered masterpieces of Classical art
• The Euphronios Krater, a red-figure calyx krater depicting the death of Sarpedon, was famously returned to Italy by the Metropolitan Museum of Art in 2008 after evidence of its looted origins surfaced
• The Antikythera Mechanism, an ancient Greek astronomical device discovered in a shipwreck, showcases the advanced technological and scientific knowledge of the Hellenistic period
• The Farnese Bull, a monumental Hellenistic sculpture depicting the punishment of Dirce, was discovered in the Baths of Caracalla in Rome and exemplifies the period's interest in complex, multi-figured compositions