art of ancient greece
DESCRIPTION
Art of Ancient Greece. Vocabulary. Polis Basic Greek city-state, consisted of a group of self-governing people Acropolis Elevated place in the center of the city occupied by the temples of the gods Geometric Style A style of vase painting that made use of bold, simple, linear designs - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
Art of Ancient Greece
PolisBasic Greek city-state, consisted of a group of self-
governing peopleAcropolis
Elevated place in the center of the city occupied by the temples of the gods
Geometric StyleA style of vase painting that made use of bold,
simple, linear designsArchaic Style
A style of two-dimensional and three-dimensional art2D art utilizes a sense of three-dimensional space3d art consists of figures in stiff frontal poses
Vocabulary
Emerged around 3000 BCENamed after King MinosSettled the island of CreteRich and adventurous people
Homes consisted of elaborate complexesHad running water, drainage systems,
heating/cooling systems, and underground storage facilities
Civilization was centered on trade, not military power
Minoans
Religion was polytheisticCult of the Sacred Bull
Celebrated by “bull dancing” or “bull leaping”May have been the foundation for the
myth/legend of the MinotaurMinoan civilization disappears around 1500
BCE
Minoans cont.
Early conquerors of the areaControlled the island of Crete after the
Minoans disappearedCalled “tamers of horses”
Fought from chariotsLeft all conquered lands in ruins
Provided Greece with myths, legends, and heroes
Also provided a source of ethics and moral order
Mycenaeans
Primarily conquerorsDid involve themselves in some trade
Maintained their rule through military strength
Mycenaeans used their soldiers and armada of ships to conquer the legendary city of TroyThe Trojan War serves as the basis for the
Greek epic poem The Iliad Religious practices included burying the dead
with honorAlso mummified corpses and buried them with
their valuables
Mycenaeans cont.
Used paintings as decorationBoar Hunt
indicates that the Mycenaeans domesticated dogs as well as horses
Mycenaeans cont.
Mycenaean palaces were fortressesWere constructed from large stone blocksPlaced at the top of the highest hill
Mycenaean civilization collapsed in 1200 BCE
Mycenaeans cont.
Also called the “Greek Middle Ages”Occurs between the time of the Mycenaeans
and the time of the Greek city-statesRoughly 400 years or so
Very little cultural or artistic activity during this time period
Conquerors and other peoples filtered in and out of the region with little or no lasting impact on art or culture
The Dark Centuries
Life switched from fortified cities to isolated farming communities
Trade and commerce slowed almost to the point of nonexistence
Iron replaced bronze for tools and weaponsSignificant changes in burial practices
occurredPolitical power shifted from kings to powerful
families
The Dark Centuries
After the “Greek Middle Ages” the people began to develop a sense of unification
These people called themselves “Hellenes”People from several different areas began to
speak the same languageAlso used a common calendar which provides
us with the date for the first Olympic Games
The Hellenes
The Games were meant to represent life’s strugglesThe word “athletics” is derived from a Greek
word that meant struggleThe time of the Games was one where
Greeks could meet in a non-lethal contextRecognized their larger cultural, linguistic, and
religious identitiesThe main event was a foot race to honor Zeus
(king of the gods)Later events included boxing, wrestling, and
chariot racing
The First Olympic Games
800-480 BCESaw the emergence of the Greek polis
A polis consists of a collection of self-governing people
Each polis was surrounded by villagesFunctioned as independent statesEach polis had its own sense of self
The Archaic Period
The polis is made up of two citiesA lower city where the people livedAn acropolis (high city)
An elevated place in the center of the cityPower in the polis belonged to the
landowners and tribal leadersThe concept of a king gradually faded awayWas replaced with a group of elected officialsOften viewed as the precursor to modern
democracy
Polis
The focus of Greek religion was this lifeA large collection of gods formed the
foundation of Greek religionThe history of the gods was recorded in
mythsTraced by Homer in The IliadAlso in Hesiod’s Theogony
Known as Olympian gods because they lived on Mount Olympus
The gods were descendants of the gods of the heavens and the earth
Olympian Gods
The gods were represented in human termsThey were sometimes better than us, and at
times they were worse that us as wellImplies that humans can be godlikeZeus (god of the sky) was the king of the godsZeus’ brothers Poseidon and Hades ruled the
rest of the universePoseidon was god of the seas and earthquakesHades was god of the underworld and land of
the dead
Olympian Gods cont.
DionysusGod of wine and reveling
(fun, celebration)Annual festivals honoring
Dionysus gave birth to early Greek drama
Olympian Gods cont.
The archaic period laid the foundation for rationalism and logical thinking that would grow into philosophyPhilosophy means “love of wisdom”
Philosophy explores mankind’s place and purpose in the universe through reason instead of religion
Pythagoras concluded that mathematical relationships were universalUniversal constants could be applied
throughout lifeKnown for the Pythagorean Theorum
A2 + b2 = c2
“Love of Wisdom”
Utilized this mathematical truth to reveal a larger, universal truth about lifeHarmony of Spheres
Deduced the numeric relationships among musical notesFormed the basis of dividing musical scales
into octaves (groups of eight tones)
Pythagoras cont.
Geometric StyleUtilizes linearity (strong use of lines)Uses zigzags, diamonds, and maze patternsHuman form shown in silhouette
Head, legs, and feet in profileDesigns fill virtually every space on the vase
Decorated in horizontal bands called registers Figures would serve narrative purposes
Vase Painting
Geometric Style Vase
Archaic StyleThree dimensional space developedThe human body is depicted in a three-quarter
positionFabrics were depicted with more detailsPottery in the Archaic Style is divided into two
typesBlack-Figure potteryRed-Figure pottery
Vase Painting
Black figures are placed onto the red clay of the pot
Details would be incised (carved out)White would sometimes be added
Color women’s hairOld men’s beardsRed used for horses’ manes and clothes
Black-Figure Pottery
Reverses the style of black-figure potteryBlack color creates the background for the
images made on the red clay surfaceContours, fabric lines, etc. appear in blackFigures appear more lifelike when they
appear in the color of the clay rather than the black figures earlier in the period
Red-Figure Pottery
Red-Figure vs. Black-Figure
KourosFreestanding statues from the Archaic PeriodFeatured young males
Kouros means male youthExhibit a stiff, frontal poseEmphasize physicality
Broad shoulders, well defined muscles, etc.Not very lifelike however
The nature of a freestanding statue allows the sculptor to present the human form independently from non-living matter
Sculpture
Two defining characteristicsRepresents an
idealization of the human form
Attempts to indicate movementThe left foot is
slightly ahead of the right foot
Kouros cont.
Kritios BoyMarks the transition
out of stiff poses into more subtle movements
First example of contrapposto stanceHead gently turns to
one sideThe body stands at restDisplays a natural
shifting and distribution of weight
Sculpture
Music played a fundamental role in Greek life and educationIn mythology, music had the power to influence
behaviorDoctrine of ethos
Music had the power to influence characterMusic embodied cultural valuesMusic, poetry, and dance were inseparable
Music
Greeks favored vocal music
Songs celebrated the acts of gods
Instruments typically were used to accompany vocals
Popular instruments included The aulos (a woodwind
that used two reeds) The lyre (a stringed
instrument)
Music
Greeks believed the gods invented dancingOldest sources on Greek dance come from
the Minoan civilizationDance was at the center of Greek religious
ritualsGreeks held dance competitions with large
chorusesThis practice is what gave birth to Greek
theatre
Dance
Began as oral tradition before progressing to written works
Epic PoetryLong narrative poems that used an elevated
style of languageHomer
Greatest of the Greek poetsComposed the Iliad and the OdysseyCreated the mythological history that the
Greeks accepted as their true history
Literature
SapphoOne of the first lyric poetsLyric poetry focuses on the individual
Also accompanied by music played on a lyreOne of the first poets to write in the first
person point of viewOne of few well known female poets of the time
Literature
HesiodPoetry focused on hard work and the struggle
of everyday lifeMost famous work focuses on the mythological
history of the godsTheogony describes Zeus’ defeat of the Titans and
the emergence of every Greek god
Literature
AesopAttributed to writing
over 200 fablesFables are stories,
typically involving animals as characters, that teach some kind of moral lesson“The Tortoise and the
Hare” teaches that arrogance leads to defeat
Literature
Aesthetics – A branch of philosophy dealing with the nature of beauty & art and their relation to human beings
Classicism – Style of art relying on the fundamentals of simplicity, clarity of structure, and appeal to the intellect
Hellenistic Style – An approach to art characterized by individuality, virtuosity, and emotion
Frieze – A portion of a structure decorated with relief sculptures
Relief Sculpture – Images project depth from the background
Greek Classicism and Hellenism Vocabulary
The Persian WarsPersian invaders were held off by the Greeks in
490 BCE at the Battle of MarathonPersians returned in 480 BCE and defeated the
Greeks at Thermopylae but were defeated again in 480 by the Greek navy near the island of Salamis
The Greeks defeated the Persians again at the Battle of Plataea in 479 BCE
The Persians would never set foot in Greece again
Classicism and Hellenism Concepts & Contexts
What to take away from the Persian WarThe Greeks found that they were capable of
defending their homelands by unifyingIn the aftermath, the Athenians began to
spread influence and power throughout the Aegean Sea
Formed the Delian LeaguePericles became a great ruler and ruled during
the Classical Period of Greek arts
Concepts & Contexts
Peloponnesian WarsSeries of wars between the city-states of
Athens and SpartaClashes of ideologiesSparta stood for the old ways of warriors and
militarismAthens stood for a new, more cultured and artistic
democratic societyEffectively ended the reign of Athenians
around the Aegean Sea
Concepts & Contexts
The Hellenistic AgeBegins with the conquest of Greece by King
Philip II of MacedoniaContinued under the rule of Alexander the
GreatAlexander was a student of the Greek philosopher
AristotleAlexander developed a vast empire that had
Greek culture at its centerGreek influence was spread throughout the
known world
Concepts & Contexts
HistoriaMeans “inquiry”Describes the development of history as a written formMarked by careful research
Herodotus“Father of History”First to relate history in a descriptive form, rather than
poeticOften invented speeches for kings and generals that
inspired troopsPresented his sources in such a way that readers could
decide how reliable the sources were
Concepts & Contexts
Believed that the present had its causes in the pastWho we are now, is
based on what’s already been done
Thought the Persians were defeated by the Greeks because the Greeks were morally right
Herodotus cont.
ThucydidesWrote a history of the Peloponnesian warsSought to instruct his readers through a clear
and unbiased style of writingWanted his readers to be armed with
knowledge when events of the past happened again in similar ways
Historia cont.
In the middle of the 5th century BCE people began to question their existence
At this time, several different philosophies developed throughout GreeceAll of these philosophies offered a different
view of life and truth
Philosophy
StoicismBelieved humans were the incarnation of logos (reason)Approached life with apathy
Everything that happens is simply fate or the will of the godsEpicureanism
Believed existence was temporaryA good life is one without troubles
Avoid getting involved with people, stay healthy, tolerate painCynicism
Believed humans were animals by natureA good life is one that satisfies our animal needs
Wisdom dictates that a man who desires nothing will lack nothing and be satisfied
Philosophy
SkepticismBelieved that nothing was certainHuman senses are unreliable
Skeptics question everything and refuse to see the truth of anything
Mystery CultsGroups dedicated to religious extremismRelied on emotions more than rationalismMembers had to go through secret initiations
Gave people a sense of belonging
Philosophy
Ethics – The general nature of morals and of the specific moral choices made by individuals
SocratesFather of ethicsCalled on people to examine
their lives to find the real meaning of life
Questioned everyone about everything
Defended the right of people to speak freely
Ethics & Aesthetics
Socrates cont.The center of Socrates’ thinking was the
psyche (mind/soul)Believed everyone had the responsibility to
elevate their psyche to its highest potentialThis was accomplished through education
Knowledge creates virtuous behavior, evil comes from a lack of knowledge
Was eventually arrested and charged with corrupting the youth of Athens
Ethics & Aesthetics
PlatoTaught by SocratesThe Republic
A series of dialogues involving Socrates that lays out the concept of an idealized political system
Invented aestheticsBelieved that art derived from
skills of knowingThe quality of art comes from
the artists skillsThe beauty of art comes from
the resemblance of an Ideal that exists beyond reality
Ethics & Aesthetics
AristotleStudent of PlatoBecame a tutor to
Alexander the Great and taught him to revere all things Greek and despise everything else
Considered the first real scientist
Founder of formal logic
Ethics & Aesthetics
PoeticsAristotle’s major workBelieved that all art imitates natureIn order for art to be beautiful it must be well
made and exhibit the proper formElements of composition must include symmetry,
harmony, and definitionThese are the fundamentals of classicism
Believed the purpose of art was to excite our emotions so we may purge them and lighten our soulsThis purging effect is called catharsis
Aristotle cont.
Classicism – An art style that strives for harmony, reason, intellect, objectivity, and formal disciplineArt in the classical style represents a form of
perfection rather than real lifeHellenism – Builds upon the achievements of
classicism while moving toward reflections of emotion and natural depictionsEssentially a reaction to the rigid objectivity of
the classical style
Classicism & Hellenism
Classical Vase PaintingFigures develop a new sense of depthIn some cases this is strengthened through
light and shadow (values)Significant advancements in artistic technique
such as foreshortening developed
Classical Painting
Four characteristics of classical style vase paintingPortrayal of figures in simple
line drawingsMonochromatic palette or color
schemeRed on black or black on red
Palette dependent on earthen tones like red
Heroic and idealized subject matter
Classical Vase Painting cont.
Reflected the idealized human form
Exhibited physical perfection as well as the stern facial expressions of rational self-control
Statues like the Lance Bearer are meant to represent the perfect male athlete
Classical Sculpture
Bridges the gap between Classicism and Hellenism
Begins to show a greater emphasis on emotion
Displays a new sense of space
Attempts are made to show figures in motionThe Scraper is one of the
earliest examples of movement in sculpture
Late Classical Style
Began to reflect the increasing interest in the differences between individuals
Sculptors tended to focus on pathos (acts of suffering meant to evoke pity) and technical skills
Laocoon and his Two Sons details the suffering of the Trojan priest and his children as they are punished by the godsNotice the expressions on the faces and the
details in their muscles as they strive to break away from the sea-serpents
Hellenistic Style
Lacoon and his Two Sons
Classical Greek architecture follows the post-and-lintel structureHorizontal slabs called lintels are laid across
vertical stone columns called posts
Architecture
Greek temples offered very little interior space
The focus of the temples became the exterior appearance and the aesthetics associated with it
Greek Temples also followed three orders (styles)DoricIonicCorinthian
These orders can be identified by the capital (top portion) of the columns
Architecture
Doric Ionic Corinthian
Greek Columns
Doric OrderThe Parthenon
Architecture
Ionic OrderTemple of
Athena NikeFrieze around
the top depicts the battle of Marathon
Architecture
Corinthian OrderTemple of Olympian Zeus
Architecture
The Altar of ZeusExcavated from the temple at PergamonRelocated and reconstructed in pieces over the course
of 50 yearsConsidered one of the wonders of the ancient worldKnown for its great frieze
The frieze is over seven feet tall and 450 ft. wideThe figures are sculpted with an incredible amount of
depthFigures also have tremendous details in texture
Clothing, skin, objects, etc. were painstakingly finished to reflect real world textures
Depicts a narrative about a battle between the gods and giants
Architecture
The Altar of Zeus
The Altar of Zeus
The Altar of Zeus
Classical style theatre seeks to portray the ideal through description and audience imaginationObjects and people are described through
poetic dialogue so the audience doesn’t have to see them
Tragedy was the major dramatic form of the timeA tragic play is made up of four distinct parts
Prologos, or prologueParados, or the entrance of the chorusThe main action of the playExodus, or conclusion
Theatre
Theatre productions were part of three annual religious festivals honoring the god Dionysus.
These festivals featured different forms of dramaTragedySatyr PlaysComedy
Greek drama was performed in outdoor stadiums known as amphitheatres
Theatre
Greek amphitheatres consisted of three main structuresThe orchestra,
where the play was acted out and where the chorus performed
The skene, or changing house
Theatron, or seating area
Theatre
Aristotle’s Poetics outlines the majority of what we know about Greek tragedy
According to Aristotle, there are six elements that are necessary for tragedy.Plot – The basic structure of the play/the main events
of the storyCharacter – the people in the play and their
motivationsThought - themesDiction - word choiceSong – sounds and musicSpectacle – visual elements like scenery and costumes
Theatre
Classical Greek theatre consisted mostly of narration and dialogueAction and violence of any sort occurred off-
stage and characters would relate the events to the audience
Costumes were minimalActors, always men, would wear some kind of
colored robes with a decorative maskThe costumes and masks made a character
easily identifiable to the audience
Theatre
Aristotle saw tragedy as a form in which a heroic character goes through hardships that end in disaster
Tragedy is meant to evoke catharsisPurge the audience of their pity and fear
Three writers were prominent during this timeAeschylusSophoclesEuripides
Theatre
AeschylusWrote tragedies
with an elevated poetic style
Dealt with large moral themes
Posed existential questions like “Are we responsible for our own actions? Are we subject to fate or some outside force?”
Theatre
SophoclesBest know for writing
Oedipus RexOedipus Rex was used by
Aristotle as the example of a perfectly crafted tragedy
Writing style followed the classical ideas of increasing realism
Explored more human themesResponsibility, dignity, etc.
Theatre
EuripidesCarried the classical notion of
realism further than other playwrights
Tragedies dealt more with psychology and individual emotions rather than epic events
Wrote in a poetic style that was much less formal and more conversational
Also experimented with scenery shifting and the effects it could have
Theatre
During the Hellenistic period comedy became the prominent style of theatre
The greatest comedic playwright was AristophanesAristophanes wrote topical satires (poking fun
at the people with political power or current issues)
By the end of the Hellenistic period religion had all but disappeared from the plays themselves
The chorus also faded away
Theatre
Dance during the Greek classical period remained tied to theatreIt reflected conventions of the classical style
such as form and clarityDance also figured heavily in the Mystery
Cults dedicated to DionysusThese dances were characterized by emotions
rather than intellectWere most likely very wild and erratic
Dance