AP Art History - Greek Art Innovations

Study Notes

Greek Art Periods

Archaic Art: 600 - 480 BC, characterized by stiff figures and the early development of sculpture.
Classical Art: 480 - 400 BC, noted for idealized human forms and the introduction of contrapposto.
Late Classical Art: 400 - 323 BC, emphasized humanization of gods and elongated body forms.
Hellenistic Art: 323 - 30 BC, known for dramatic expression, increased realism, and complex themes.

Innovations of Greek Sculpture

Greek artists embraced nudity, celebrating the human body distinctly from earlier cultures.
Large-scale marble sculptures often featured negative space, enhancing their visual impact.
Usage of contrapposto became prominent, giving sculptures a more natural stance.

Characteristics of Greek Archaic Sculpture

Typically crafted from marble, featuring figures with smiles to convey life.
Often painted, showcasing attention to color and detail.
Kouros and Kore figures presented in upright, formal poses with detailed hair.

Characteristics of Greek Classical Sculpture

Transition to contrapposto allowed for more lifelike and dynamic postures.
Bodies were highly idealized, establishing a canon influenced by artist Polykleitos.
Late Classical sculptures depicted gods in more relatable forms with S-shaped curves.

Characteristics of Greek Hellenistic Sculpture

Focused on realism, capturing movement and emotional expressions.
Greater negative space enabled multidimensional viewing experiences.
Explored diverse themes such as childhood, old age, and emotional states like despair and anger.

Innovations in Greek Architecture

Temples designed as earthly homes for gods, highlighting architectural significance.
Three styles of temples: Doric (simplistic, unadorned), Ionic (spiral capitals, decorative friezes), and Corinthian (leaf capitals).
The Parthenon exemplifies a blend of architectural styles and introduced Caryatids as columns.

Characteristics of Greek Architecture

Temples were rectangular and adhered to strict geometric principles.
Pediments above columns depicted sculptural narratives of gods' deeds.
Temples primarily served as deities' dwelling places; few people entered them.

Innovations of Greek Pottery

Functional designs tailored for specific uses, highlighting practicality.
Amphora for storage, krater for mixing drinks, and kylix for casual drinking.

Characteristics of Greek Pottery

Early black-figure painting emphasized large black figures on red clay.
Transition to red-figure painting allowed for more detailed and fluid representations.
Evolution from stiff Archaic styles to dynamic poses in Classical and Hellenistic periods.

Description

Test your knowledge of the innovations and characteristics of Greek art across various periods, including Archaic, Classical, Late Classical, and Hellenistic. This quiz will help you understand the significant developments in Greek sculpture and its cultural impact.