🎨Art History I – Prehistory to Middle Ages Unit 10 – Greek Art: Classical & Hellenistic Eras

Historical Context

• Classical period of ancient Greece spanned from 480 BCE to 323 BCE, following the Archaic period and preceding the Hellenistic era
• Marked by the defeat of the Persian invasion, leading to a period of prosperity and cultural flourishing in Athens and other city-states
• Athens emerged as a dominant political and cultural force under the leadership of Pericles (495-429 BCE)
• Athenian democracy reached its height, with citizens actively participating in political decision-making
• The Delian League, led by Athens, was formed to protect Greek city-states from further Persian aggression
• Peloponnesian War (431-404 BCE) between Athens and Sparta led to the decline of Athenian power and the rise of Macedon under Philip II and Alexander the Great
• The conquests of Alexander the Great (336-323 BCE) marked the beginning of the Hellenistic period, spreading Greek culture across a vast empire

Key Characteristics of Classical Greek Art

• Emphasis on idealism, balance, and harmony in sculpture and architecture
• Sculptures depicted idealized human forms with perfect proportions and anatomical accuracy
  • Polykleitos' Canon of Proportions established ideal ratios for the human body
• Contrapposto stance introduced, with weight shifted to one leg, creating a more natural and dynamic pose (Doryphoros by Polykleitos)
• Drapery became more naturalistic, with intricate folds and textures carved in marble
• Architectural orders (Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian) were refined and widely used in temples and public buildings
• Use of the golden ratio in architectural design to achieve harmonious proportions (Parthenon)
• Sculptures often depicted mythological figures, athletes, and prominent citizens
• Reliefs on temples and public buildings told stories and celebrated important events

Famous Classical Greek Sculptures and Monuments

• Parthenon (447-432 BCE): Temple dedicated to Athena on the Acropolis in Athens, featuring elaborate sculptural decorations (Parthenon Marbles)
• Doryphoros (Spear Bearer) by Polykleitos (c. 440 BCE): Bronze sculpture demonstrating the ideal proportions of the male body
• Discobolus (Discus Thrower) by Myron (c. 460-450 BCE): Captures the moment before the athlete releases the discus
• Riace Warriors (c. 460-430 BCE): Two bronze statues of Greek warriors, showcasing the mastery of bronze casting techniques
• Athena Parthenos by Phidias (c. 447-438 BCE): Colossal gold and ivory statue of Athena housed in the Parthenon
• Temple of Athena Nike (c. 420 BCE): Small Ionic temple on the Acropolis, featuring a frieze depicting a battle between Greeks and Persians

Evolution into Hellenistic Art

• Hellenistic period began with the death of Alexander the Great in 323 BCE and lasted until the Roman conquest of Egypt in 30 BCE
• Greek culture spread across the Mediterranean and Near East, leading to a more diverse and cosmopolitan art scene
• Shift from idealism to realism and individualism in sculpture and painting
• Increased interest in portraying emotions, movement, and dramatic moments
• Rise of new artistic centers, such as Alexandria, Pergamon, and Rhodes
• Patronage shifted from city-states to wealthy individuals and monarchs
• Incorporation of non-Greek cultural elements and styles into art

Hellenistic Innovations and Themes

• Exploration of new subjects, including everyday life, children, and the elderly
• Increased naturalism in facial expressions and body positions
• Use of exaggerated proportions and dynamic poses to convey emotion and drama (Laocoön and His Sons)
• Development of new sculptural techniques, such as the use of multiple materials (bronze, marble, and ivory) in a single work
• Incorporation of landscape elements and architectural settings in sculpture (Winged Victory of Samothrace)
• Emergence of genre scenes and still lifes in painting
• Advancements in scientific knowledge reflected in the accurate depiction of human anatomy and perspective

Notable Hellenistic Works

• Nike of Samothrace (c. 200-190 BCE): Marble sculpture of the winged goddess of victory, showcasing dynamic movement and drapery
• Laocoön and His Sons (c. 200-150 BCE): Marble sculpture depicting the Trojan priest Laocoön and his sons being attacked by serpents, capturing intense emotion and struggle
• Dying Gaul (c. 230-220 BCE): Roman marble copy of a Hellenistic bronze, portraying a wounded Celtic warrior with realism and pathos
• Pergamon Altar (c. 180-160 BCE): Monumental altar with a frieze depicting the Gigantomachy, showcasing the dramatic and dynamic style of Hellenistic sculpture
• Seated Boxer (c. 100-50 BCE): Bronze sculpture of a seated boxer with realistic facial features and body proportions, capturing the exhaustion and vulnerability of the athlete

Influence on Later Art Movements

• Hellenistic art had a lasting impact on Roman art, with many Roman sculptures being copies or adaptations of Greek originals
• The naturalism and emotional intensity of Hellenistic art influenced the development of Roman portraiture and historical reliefs
• Greek classical and Hellenistic styles were revived during the Renaissance, with artists such as Michelangelo and Raphael drawing inspiration from ancient sculptures
• Neoclassicism in the 18th and 19th centuries drew heavily on the ideals and aesthetics of classical Greek art
• The study of Greek art and architecture played a crucial role in the development of art history as an academic discipline

Key Artists and Patrons

• Praxiteles (c. 400-330 BCE): Sculptor known for his graceful and sensual marble figures, such as the Aphrodite of Knidos and Hermes and the Infant Dionysus
• Lysippos (c. 370-300 BCE): Court sculptor of Alexander the Great, known for his naturalistic portraits and the introduction of the "Lysippean Canon" of proportions
• Leochares (c. 340-320 BCE): Sculptor who worked on the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus and created the Apollo Belvedere
• Attalos I of Pergamon (269-197 BCE): King and patron of the arts, commissioned the Pergamon Altar and other notable works
• Ptolemaic dynasty of Egypt (305-30 BCE): Hellenistic rulers who supported the arts and established Alexandria as a major cultural center
• Antiochus IV of Syria (175-164 BCE): Seleucid king who commissioned the Temple of Zeus at Olympia and other monumental works