🏛️Arts of Classical Greece Unit 11 – Classical Greek Art's Enduring Influence

Key Characteristics of Classical Greek Art

• Emphasized idealized beauty, proportion, and harmony in depicting the human form
• Strived for naturalism and realism in sculpture and painting
  • Captured the musculature, movement, and emotions of the human body
  • Depicted clothing and drapery with intricate folds and details
• Utilized contrapposto stance in sculpture, where the weight is shifted to one leg, creating a more natural and dynamic pose
• Incorporated symmetry and balance in the composition of artworks
• Focused on the representation of idealized youth and athletic prowess
• Conveyed a sense of serenity, nobility, and emotional restraint in the expressions of figures
• Employed mathematical ratios and proportions, such as the Golden Ratio, to achieve aesthetic harmony

Major Periods and Styles

• Archaic Period (c. 700-480 BCE) marked by stiff, stylized figures with patterned clothing and archaic smiles
• Early Classical Period (c. 480-450 BCE) introduced a more naturalistic approach, softer facial features, and the contrapposto stance
• High Classical Period (c. 450-400 BCE) achieved the pinnacle of idealized beauty, proportion, and harmony in art
  • Characterized by the works of Phidias, such as the Parthenon sculptures and the statue of Zeus at Olympia
• Late Classical Period (c. 400-323 BCE) explored more complex poses, emotions, and individualized features in sculpture
• Hellenistic Period (c. 323-31 BCE) embraced more dramatic, expressive, and realistic styles, often depicting extreme emotions and movement

Influential Artists and Sculptors

• Phidias (c. 480-430 BCE) renowned for his monumental sculptures, including the Parthenon frieze and the statue of Athena Parthenos
• Polykleitos (c. 450-420 BCE) known for his treatise on proportion, the Canon, and his sculptures of athletes, such as the Doryphoros (Spear-Bearer)
• Myron (c. 480-440 BCE) famous for his bronze sculpture of the Discobolus (Discus Thrower), capturing the athlete in motion
• Praxiteles (c. 395-330 BCE) celebrated for his graceful and sensual sculptures, including the Aphrodite of Knidos and the Hermes of Olympia
• Lysippos (c. 370-300 BCE) known for his more slender and elongated figures, such as the Apoxyomenos (Scraper) and his portraits of Alexander the Great

Iconic Works and Their Significance

• Parthenon Frieze (c. 443-438 BCE) a continuous relief sculpture depicting the Panathenaic procession, symbolizing Athenian civic pride and unity
• Statue of Zeus at Olympia (c. 435 BCE) a colossal chryselephantine (gold and ivory) statue of the god, considered one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World
• Riace Warriors (c. 460-450 BCE) two bronze statues of Greek warriors, showcasing the mastery of bronze casting and the idealization of the male form
• Winged Victory of Samothrace (c. 200-190 BCE) a dynamic marble sculpture of Nike, the goddess of victory, alighting on the prow of a ship
• Laocoön and His Sons (c. 200 BCE) a dramatic Hellenistic sculpture depicting the Trojan priest Laocoön and his sons being attacked by serpents, capturing the agony and struggle of the figures

Techniques and Materials

• Marble sculpture was the most prominent medium in Classical Greek art
  • Pentelic and Parian marbles were prized for their quality and translucence
  • Sculptures were often painted in bright colors, although the pigments have mostly faded over time
• Bronze casting using the lost-wax method allowed for more dynamic poses and intricate details
  • Bronze statues were highly valued and often melted down in later periods for their metal
• Chryselephantine sculpture combined gold and ivory to create luxurious and monumental statues of deities
• Red-figure and black-figure pottery techniques were used to decorate ceramic vessels with mythological scenes and daily life
• Encaustic painting, using heated beeswax mixed with pigments, was employed for panel paintings and portraits

Mythological and Cultural Themes

• Greek mythology provided a rich source of inspiration for artists, with gods, goddesses, heroes, and mythical creatures frequently depicted
  • The Twelve Olympians, such as Zeus, Athena, Apollo, and Aphrodite, were popular subjects
  • Heroic tales, like the labors of Heracles and the Trojan War, were often represented in sculpture and painting
• Athletic competitions, such as the Olympic Games, influenced the idealization of the male form and the celebration of physical prowess in art
• Religious festivals and processions, like the Panathenaea in Athens, were commemorated in sculptural friezes and reliefs
• Philosophical ideas, such as the concept of arete (excellence) and the importance of balance and moderation, were reflected in the harmonious proportions and idealized beauty of Classical Greek art

Impact on Later Art Movements

• The rediscovery of Classical Greek art during the Renaissance sparked a renewed interest in the ideals of beauty, proportion, and harmony
  • Artists like Michelangelo and Raphael drew inspiration from ancient sculptures and incorporated classical elements into their works
• Neoclassicism in the 18th and 19th centuries sought to revive the principles of Classical Greek art, emphasizing simplicity, clarity, and moral virtue
  • Sculptors like Antonio Canova and Bertel Thorvaldsen created works in the classical style, often depicting mythological subjects
• The Enlightenment and the Age of Reason found parallels in the rational and idealized qualities of Classical Greek art
• Modernist artists, such as Picasso and Matisse, studied and reinterpreted classical forms and techniques in their own unique styles

Modern Interpretations and Adaptations

• Contemporary artists continue to draw inspiration from Classical Greek art, reinterpreting and adapting its themes and techniques
  • Yinka Shonibare's "Venus de Milo" series reimagines the iconic sculpture with African printed fabric, exploring issues of cultural identity and colonialism
  • Jeff Koons' "Gazing Ball" series juxtaposes classical sculptures with reflective blue spheres, creating a dialogue between the past and present
• Digital art and 3D modeling techniques allow for the recreation and manipulation of classical sculptures in new and innovative ways
• The influence of Classical Greek art extends beyond the visual arts, inspiring literature, theater, film, and popular culture
  • Rick Riordan's "Percy Jackson" series and its film adaptations introduce Greek mythology to a new generation of audiences
  • The video game "God of War" series draws heavily from Greek mythological themes and iconography, reimagining classic tales and characters in a modern context