Greek Art
History, Styles, Schools of Classical Sculpture,
Mural & Panel Painting From Ancient Greece.
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Greek Art |
 The Parthenon, on the Acropolis. The architectural icon of Greek Art. |
Ancient Greek Art (c.650-27 BCE)The practice of fine art in Ancient Greece spans three basic eras: the Archaic Period (c.600-500 BCE), the Classical Period (c.500-323 BCE) and the Hellenistic Period (c.323-27 BCE). In simple terms, the Archaic Period was a period of gradual experimentation. The Classical era, which ended with the death of Alexander the Great, then witnessed the flowering of Greek power and artistic domination. While the final Hellenistic Period saw the export of Greek arts, artists and culture to Rome and beyond. Sadly, most original Greek sculpture, and most mural and panel paintings from Greek antiquity, as well as architecture, have been lost, leaving us almost entirely dependent upon copies from Roman art and Greek pottery. |
 Discus Thrower (Discobolus) Roman copy of an original bronze by Myron (425 BCE) National Roman Museum, Rome. |
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GREEK SCULPTURE |
Archaic Period (c.600-500) During this time Greek art was heavily influenced by various styles, including Etruscan, Syrian and Egyptian, to name but a few. Development in both Greek Archaic sculpture - as well as its precursor Daedalic Sculpture - and painting was gradual rather than spectacular. Was a notable influence on Celtic art from the Hallstatt and La Tene periods of Celtic culture. The Human Form in Greek Art To Greek artists, (like their later Renaissance admirers such as Michelangelo and Leonardo Da Vinci), the human form was the most important subject for artistic representation. Even their Gods were portrayed in human form. In the Archaic Period of Greek art (625-500 BCE), the most prized sculptural form was the kouros (plural kouroi), or standing male nude. (See Male Nudes in Art History). The female equivalent, the kore (plural korai), or standing clothed female form, was also common, although due to its clothed nature it was deemed to be less important in the development of sculpture. (See Female Nudes in Art History). |
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CLASSICAL SCULPTURE GREEK ARCHITECTURE GREATEST ART: ANTIQUITY |
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PAINT PIGMENTS MEANING OF ARTS |
Classical Period (500-323 BCE)Victory over the Persians in 490 BCE and 479 BCE established Athens as the strongest of the Greek city states. Despite external threats, it would retain its leading cultural role for the next few centuries. Indeed, during the fifth century BCE, Athens witnessed a creative resurgence which would not only dominate future Roman art, but when rediscovered by Renaissance Europe 2000 years later, would constitute an absolute artistic standard for another four centuries. All this despite the fact that most Greek paintings and sculptures have been destroyed. Classical Sculpture Sculptures from this era are usually divided into the following periods: Early Classical Period (c.500-450 BCE), High Classical Period (c.450-400 BCE), and Late Classical Period (c.400-323 BCE). |
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Sculptors During this period, individual artists become recognizable in their works. Among the foremost sculptors were Praxiteles, Polykleitos, Myron, and Phidias. Polykleitos was renowned for his mastery of Contrapposto - the ultra-realistic stance whereby the weight of the sculpted body is shifted onto one foot. Notable works of this period include: the "Boy from Antikythera" (c.340 BCE) now in Athens National Archeological Museum; "Seer" from the Temple of Zeus (c.470 BCE); "Poseidon" from Cape Artemision (c.460 BCE); "Head of a Blond Youth" (c.485 BCE); "Leonidas, King of Sparta" (c.480 BCE); "The Discus Thrower", a bronze by Myron (c.450 BCE); "Aphrodite of Knidos" by Praxiteles (c.350 BCE); the "Charioteer of Delphi" (c.470 BCE), Delphi Archaeological Museum. Sculptural Materials and Methods Greek sculptors worked in either stone, bronze, occasionally wood or precious materials. Stone statues were carved by hand from marble or a high-quality limestone, using metal tools. These sculptures might be free-standing statues, or reliefs/friezes - that is, only partially carved from a block of stone. Bronze statues were considered to be superior, not least because of the extra cost of bronze, and were typically cast using the lost wax method. Even more expensive were chryselephantine, or gold-and-ivory statues, frequently used to adorn temples, but not surprisingly almost all have disappeared. Unusually, most Greek sculpture was painted - typically in bold colours. Usually, only those parts of the statue which depicted clothing, or hair were coloured, while the skin was left in the natural stone colour, but on occasion the entire sculpture was painted. This sculpture-painting was a distinctive art form - an early type of mixed-media - rather than a means of enhancing the sculpture itself. In addition to paint, the statue might also be adorned with precious materials. Styles During the Classical period of Greek art (500-323 BCE) there were several changes in sculptural styles. Although nearly all Greek sculpture is representational art, the stances of figures became more realistic and sculptors mastered more techniques to enable them to capture more natural poses. For example, Polykleitos, was renowned for his mastery of Contrapposto. Also, during the sixth century BCE, sculptures began to portray real people, and in the late Classical era the female nude was made respectable for the first time. |
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The Parthenon The Parthenon in Athens (447-432 BCE) remains the supreme example of classical Greek religious art. In its day, it would have been embellished with numerous wall-paintings and sculptures, yet even relatively devoid of adornment it stands as an unmistakeable monument to Greek artistry. Originally, the Parthenon's sculptures fell into three groups. (1) On the triangular pediments at either end were large-scale free-standing groups containing numerous figures of Gods and mythological scenes. (2) Along both sides were almost 100 reliefs of struggling figures including Gods, humans, centaurs and others. (3) Around the whole building ran another relief, some 150 metres in length, which portrayed the Great Panathenia - a religious 4-yearly festival in praise of Athena. Despite being badly damaged, the Parthenon sculptures reveal the supreme artistic ability of their creators. Above all, they - like many other classical Greek sculptures - reveal an astonishing sense of movement as well as a noted realism of the human body. |
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Classical Paintings As well as sculpture and architecture, Greek painting from the classical period revealed a grasp of linear perspective and naturalist representation which would remain unsurpassed until the Italian High Renaissance. Apollodorus in particular was noted for his introduction of the Skiagraphia shading technique. During the late classical period (400-323 BCE), which saw the flourishing of the Macedonian Empire under Philip II and his son Alexander the Great, Athens continued to be the dominant cultural centre of mainland Greece, if not the entire Mediterranean world. This was the high point of ancient Greek painting, with artists like Zeuxis, Apelles, and Parrhasius adding new techniques of highlighting, shading and colouring. Painting As an Art Form In Greek culture, the most respected art form was painting, particularly portable pictures painted on wooden boards - more commonly known as panel paintings. These were executed using the encaustic (wax) method or tempera. Panel paintings typically depicted figurative scenes, including portraits and still lifes. Mural painting and frescoes were also common adornments in temples, public buildings, houses and tombs but these larger artworks generally had a lower reputation than panel paintings. |
Hellenistic Art (323-31 BCE)This period of Greek culture (Hellenism) commences with the death of Alexander the Great and the incorporation of the Persian Empire into the Greek world. In the world of Greek art, especially sculpture, the classical realism of the fifth and fourth centuries BCE gave way to greater solemnity and heroicism, an almost Baroque-like dramatization of subject matter and growing expressionism. Above all, the period is characterized by the spread of Greek culture (Hellenization) throughout the civilized world. New centres of Greek arts and culture were established in Alexandria, Antioch, Pergamum, and other cities abroad. |
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Sculpture Greek Sculpture of the Hellenistic Period (c.323-27 BCE) became even more naturalistic. Ordinary people of all ages, as well as animals and everyday scenes became acceptable subjects for sculpture, which was frequently commissioned by wealthy individuals or families to decorate their homes and gardens. In addition, sculptors no longer felt obliged to portray men and women as ideals of beauty. That said, there was also much greater demand (from the newly established overseas Greek cultural centres in Egypt, Syria, and Turkey) for statues and reliefs of Greek Gods, Godesses and heroic figures for their temples and public areas. Thus a large market developed in the production and export of Greek sculpture, leading to a fall in workmanship and creativity. Greek sculptors of the Hellenistic period also resorted to more monumental works, a practice which found its ultimate expression in the Colossus of Rhodes (c.220 BCE), which was roughly the same size as the Statue of Liberty. Famous Greek sculptures of the period include: "Dying Gaul" (c.232 BCE) by Epigonus; the frieze "Altar of Zeus" at Pergamum(c.180 BCE); "Aphrodite, Pan and Eros" (c.100 BCE); the "Winged Victory of Samothrace" (c.1st/2nd century BCE), now in the Louvre; "Laocoon and His Sons" by Hagesander, Athenodoros and Polydorus (c.40-31 BCE). The famous marble sculpture "Venus de Milo" (or "Aphrodite of Melos"), now in the Louvre Museum, Paris, was completed around 100 BCE. It represents the retrospective 'classical' current within Hellenism: a return to sober realism. See also Roman Sculpture and Relief Sculpture of Ancient Rome. |
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Painting Greek painting of the Hellenistic Period saw the introduction of new painting techniques. One of the major artworks of the time was the Great Tomb at Verfina (c.326 BCE), whose facade was decorated by a large wall painting of a royal lion hunt. The background was left white, with landscape being indicated by a single tree and the ground line. As well as the style of its background and subjects, the mural is noted for its subtle depictions of light and shadow as well as the use of a technique called Optical Fusion (the juxtaposition of lines of different colours). New Patrons of Art Another change which sprang up in the art world during the Hellenistic era was the new relationship of artist and patron, which had a direct effect on the choice of subject matter in both sculpture, painting and mosaic art. The new patrons were secular rulers who proceeded to use art and artists as a means of self-glorification. On a larger scale, the rise of Roman power led to Rome becoming the best source of patronage for Greek artists. As a result, many Greek painters and sculptors travelled to Rome to continue their careers. |
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The Disappearance of Greek Artworks The tragedy of Greek art is the fact that so much of it has disappeared. Only a very small number of temples - like the Parthenon and the Temple of Hephaestus in Athens - have survived. Greece built a total of five Wonders of the World (the Colossus of Rhodes, the Temple of Artemis at Ephesus, the Statue of Zeus at Olympia, the Mausoleum of Halicarnassus and the Lighthouse of Alexandria), yet only ruined fragments have survived.
Similarly, most sculptures and reliefs from the Classical and Hellenistic eras have been destroyed. Greek bronze sculptures were mostly melted down and converted to tools in the Middle Ages, while stone statues were pillaged or broken down for use as building material. Greek Metalwork Art has also largely disappeared. Greek paintings suffered worst of all. Not one famous panel painting survives to this day. As a result, most of our knowledge of Greek artworks derives from contemporaneous accounts or copies made by later Roman artists.
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• For more information about painting and sculpture of Classical Antiquity, see: Art Encyclopedia.
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