Art History Late Classical & Hellenistic Greek Art

Questions and Answers

What is depicted in the Victory Monument of Attolos I?

A peaceful female figure

A Gaul killing himself (correct)

A battle scene

A victorious warrior

What key characteristics define the Dying Gaul?

Twisted rope-celtic identification, baroque body language, exaggerated male features.

What does the term 'tubicen' refer to?

Trumpeters.

What are the main features of the Seated Boxer?

Athlete with a tired, detailed face emphasizing realism. Signup and view all the answers

What does the Old Market Woman sculpture represent?

Shows age and realism, reflects class distinctions. Signup and view all the answers

What themes are associated with the Aphrodite of Melos?

Early pornography, sexual acts with posture, emotionless face. Signup and view all the answers

What does the Winged Nike of Samothrace symbolize?

Crowning victor of a naval battle. Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic of Hellenistic statues?

They interact with their environment. Signup and view all the answers

What event does Laocoon depict?

Poseidon killing Laocoon and his sons. Signup and view all the answers

What was notable about the Battle of Issus mosaic?

Mastery of foreshortening, color, reflections, and warfare intensity. Signup and view all the answers

What is significant about the Temple of Apollo?

Hypaethral design, breaks traditional Greek temple structure. Signup and view all the answers

What historical context surrounds the Alexander Sarcophagus?

Features battles and hunting scenes between Persians and Greeks, showcasing realism. Signup and view all the answers

What does the Gallic chieftain killing himself and his wife sculpture emphasize?

Detailed human anatomy and realism. Signup and view all the answers

In which ways is the sculpture and architecture of the Late Classical Period a break away from the Classical Greek Style?

Late Classical style introduced more dynamic poses and emotional expressions in sculpture, moving away from the idealized forms of Classical Greek art. Signup and view all the answers

In which ways is the sculpture and architecture of the Hellenistic Period a break away from the Classical Greek Style and Late Classical Style?

Hellenistic art focused on emotional and dramatic expressions, depicted everyday mortals, and showcased intense individualism. Signup and view all the answers

What is Plato's cave?

A metaphorical concept representing the idea that the world we perceive is not the true reality. Signup and view all the answers

Who are the three main playwrights associated with Greek Tragedy?

Sophocles Signup and view all the answers

Who was Socrates?

An Athenian philosopher known for his belief in the pursuit of an honest life and the importance of honor over wealth. Signup and view all the answers

What is the orchestra in Greek Theater?

A semicircular space in front of the stage used by the chorus in ancient Greek theaters. Signup and view all the answers

What is a proscenium?

The area of the stage projecting in front of the curtain in a theater. Signup and view all the answers

What is skene?

An architectural backdrop for performances that also served as a dressing room. Signup and view all the answers

What is theatron?

The seating area where the audience sat in a Greek theater. Signup and view all the answers

What is Pergamon known for in terms of artistic development?

A capital of a breakaway state where anti-Classical sculpture was accepted and experimental art flourished. Signup and view all the answers

Who was Attalos I?

The leader of Pergamon who defeated the Gauls around 230 BCE. Signup and view all the answers

Who were the Gauls?

A Celtic people defeated by Attalos I. Signup and view all the answers

What is the phalanx?

A compact or close-knit body of people, animals, or things, specifically in military context. Signup and view all the answers

What did Alexander the Great achieve?

Between 334 and 323 B.C.E., he conquered the Persian Empire and spread Greek culture across the Middle East. Signup and view all the answers

Who was Apelles?

A renowned 4th century BC painter famous for his portrait of Alexander the Great. Signup and view all the answers

Who was Ptolemy?

A Greek successor of Alexander who took Egypt in 305 BCE and founded Alexandria. Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'orchestra' refer to in a Greek theater?

The semicircular space in front of the stage used by the chorus. Signup and view all the answers

The __________ was a defining architectural feature of Greek theaters, where performances took place.

skene Signup and view all the answers

An __________ is a term used to describe a compact military formation in ancient Greek warfare.

phalanx Signup and view all the answers

What were the two prominent styles of vase painting in ancient Greece?

Black-figure Signup and view all the answers

What are Kouroi statues used for?

They were used as grave markers for individuals and to commemorate fallen warriors or athletes. Signup and view all the answers

How was the human figure represented in the archaic and early Classical periods?

Figures were often stiff, proportional, with arms beside the body, and sometimes depicted a more naturalistic style. Signup and view all the answers

What does the Archaic smile signify?

It is a distinctive feature seen in many Kouroi, indicating that the figure is alive and has emotional presence. Signup and view all the answers

What is the 'Pudica Pose'?

A pose of modesty, often seen in depictions of female figures, signifying shame or restraint. Signup and view all the answers

What were the benefits of the red-figure technique in vase painting?

The ability to create more naturalistic representations of anatomy and emotion due to the brush technique. Signup and view all the answers

What is a tholos tomb?

A beehive-shaped tomb with a circular plan, used in Mycenaean culture. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Late Classical and Hellenistic Greek Art

Late Classical art marks a departure from Classical Greek ideals, introducing more emotional expression and a focus on the individual.
The Hellenistic period shifts further towards the depiction of everyday mortals, emotional drama, and dynamic poses.

Key Artists and Philosophers

Plato: An influential philosopher and student of Socrates, proposed that the physical world is a mere shadow of reality.
Socrates: Believed in the value of integrity and honor over wealth, emphasizing the importance of ethical living.

Greek Tragedy and Theater

Major playwrights include Aeschylus, Sophocles, and Euripides, with their works commonly performed during festivals honoring Dionysos.
Significant elements of Greek theater include the orchestra for the chorus, the proscenium stage, and the skene, which served as both a backdrop and dressing area.

Architectural Developments

Pergamon emerged as a center for Hellenistic art, embracing anti-classical styles.
The Corinthian Order represents the most ornate architectural style, distinguished by elaborate capitals with leaf decorations.

Historical Figures

Attalos I defeated the Gauls in 230 BCE and led Pergamon into a period of artistic innovation.
Alexander the Great (334-323 BCE) is credited with spreading Greek culture across the Middle East through his extensive conquests.

Sculpture and Artistic Techniques

Notable Hellenistic sculptures include "Dying Gaul," "Laocoon and His Sons," and the "Altar of Zeus" from Pergamon.
Innovations such as foreshortening and the use of tesserae in mosaics enhance visual dramatic effects in artworks.

Differences in Artistic Technique

Black-figure technique involves incising figures onto clay vases, while red-figure technique allows for greater detail and naturalism through brushwork.
Late Classical and Hellenistic sculptors deviated from High Classical styles by introducing more dynamic compositions and emotional expressions.

Cultural Context

The Hellenistic era was characterized by expansion, trade, and warfare, profoundly influencing art's subject matter and stylistic elements.
Minoan and Mycenaean art featured innovations that laid groundwork for later Classical artistic developments.

Notable Works and Artforms

The "Alexander Mosaic," depicting the Battle of Issus, is a significant artwork demonstrating the use of drama and movement.
The "Aphrodite of Knidos," by Praxiteles, sparked debates about female representation and modesty in Greek art.

Architectural Features

Doric temples feature thick columns with simple capitals, while the cella is the temple’s inner chamber housing the cult statue.
Hypaethral structures are open to the air, allowing natural light and environmental elements to play a role in the space's atmosphere.

Societal Reflections

The design of Minoan palaces suggests a complex society engaged in extensive trade and possessing social hierarchies.
Greek art often symbolizes ideals of beauty, proportion, and human form, reflecting cultural values and aesthetic standards of the time.### Exaggerated Male Features
Refers to artistic representations emphasizing masculine traits, often to convey strength or heroism in sculptures and paintings.

Tubicen

Means "trumpeters," often seen in artwork depicting musicians or heralds in ancient settings.

Seated Boxer

Represents an athlete with a tired, detailed facial expression, showcasing realism in Hellenistic art.

Old Market Woman

Portrays age and realism, highlighting social class as a servant/slave woman, with a focus on her physical attributes tied to her past.

Aphrodite of Melos

Considered early pornography, features suggestive sexual postures while the expression remains emotionless.

Winged Nike of Samothrace

Symbolizes the crowning of a victor in a naval battle; it deviates from idealized proportions, emphasizing movement and dynamism.

Hellenistic Statues

Notably interact with their environment, displaying a sense of realism and viewer engagement.

Laocoon

Depicts the moment Poseidon kills Laocoon and his sons, related to the Trojan War and comparable to the Dying Gaul in emotion and realism.

Battle of Issus

Hellenistic artwork (323-30 BC) created by Philoxenos of Eretria around 310 BC; utilizes tessera mosaic technique showcasing artistic mastery in foreshortening, color modeling, and intensity of battle.

Temple of Apollo

Open-air hypaethral temple located in Didyma, Turkey, built in 313 BC; breaks traditional Greek temple design rules and created by architects Paionios of Ephesos and Daphnis of Miletos.

Alexander Sarcophagus

Found in Saida, Lebanon, dates back to the late 4th century BC; designed as a Greek temple with depictions of Persian and Greek battles and hunting scenes, highlighting cultural interactions through realism and attire contrasts.

Gallic Chieftain Killing Himself and His Wife

A work by Epigonos from Pergamon, Turkey, dating 230-220 BC; features intricate human anatomy and a focus on realism, reflecting deep emotional themes.

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Description

Explore the intricate differences between Late Classical and Hellenistic Greek art and how they diverge from Classical Greek styles. This quiz covers key concepts from various weeks in art history, including sculpture and architecture. Test your knowledge on the evolution of Greek art and its historical context.