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Art of Ancient Greece

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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 Presentation

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Page 1: Art of Ancient Greece

Art of Ancient Greece

Page 2: 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

Page 3: Art of Ancient Greece

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

Page 4: Art of Ancient Greece

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.

Page 5: Art of Ancient Greece

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

Page 6: Art of Ancient Greece

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.

Page 7: Art of Ancient Greece

Used paintings as decorationBoar Hunt

indicates that the Mycenaeans domesticated dogs as well as horses

Mycenaeans cont.

Page 8: Art of Ancient Greece

Mycenaean palaces were fortressesWere constructed from large stone blocksPlaced at the top of the highest hill

Mycenaean civilization collapsed in 1200 BCE

Mycenaeans cont.

Page 9: Art of Ancient Greece

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

Page 10: Art of Ancient Greece

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

Page 11: Art of Ancient Greece

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

Page 12: Art of Ancient Greece

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

Page 13: Art of Ancient Greece

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

Page 14: Art of Ancient Greece

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

Page 15: Art of Ancient Greece

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

Page 16: Art of Ancient Greece

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.

Page 17: Art of Ancient Greece

DionysusGod of wine and reveling

(fun, celebration)Annual festivals honoring

Dionysus gave birth to early Greek drama

Olympian Gods cont.

Page 18: Art of Ancient Greece

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”

Page 19: Art of Ancient Greece

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.

Page 20: Art of Ancient Greece

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

Page 21: Art of Ancient Greece

Geometric Style Vase

Page 22: Art of Ancient Greece

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

Page 23: Art of Ancient Greece

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

Page 24: Art of Ancient Greece

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

Page 25: Art of Ancient Greece

Red-Figure vs. Black-Figure

Page 26: Art of Ancient Greece

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

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Two defining characteristicsRepresents an

idealization of the human form

Attempts to indicate movementThe left foot is

slightly ahead of the right foot

Kouros cont.

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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

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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

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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

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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

Page 32: Art of Ancient Greece

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

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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

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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

Page 35: Art of Ancient Greece

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

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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

Page 37: Art of Ancient Greece

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

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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

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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

Page 40: Art of Ancient Greece

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

Page 41: Art of Ancient Greece

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

Page 42: Art of Ancient Greece

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.

Page 43: Art of Ancient Greece

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.

Page 44: Art of Ancient Greece

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

Page 45: Art of Ancient Greece

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

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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

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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

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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

Page 49: Art of Ancient Greece

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

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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

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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.

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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

Page 53: Art of Ancient Greece

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

Page 54: Art of Ancient Greece

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.

Page 55: Art of Ancient Greece

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

Page 56: Art of Ancient Greece

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

Page 57: Art of Ancient Greece

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

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Lacoon and his Two Sons

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Classical Greek architecture follows the post-and-lintel structureHorizontal slabs called lintels are laid across

vertical stone columns called posts

Architecture

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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

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Doric Ionic Corinthian

Greek Columns

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Doric OrderThe Parthenon

Architecture

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Ionic OrderTemple of

Athena NikeFrieze around

the top depicts the battle of Marathon

Architecture

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Corinthian OrderTemple of Olympian Zeus

Architecture

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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

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The Altar of Zeus

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The Altar of Zeus

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The Altar of Zeus

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

Page 75: Art of Ancient Greece

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

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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

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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

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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

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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