Greek Art: Classical Period (480-431 B.C.)

Greek Art - Classical Period (480 - 431 B.C.)

• Key artworks from this period are described

Parthenon

• Built between 447-432 B.C.
• Located on the Acropolis in Athens, Greece
• Designed by architects Ictinus and Callicrates
• Only priests were allowed to enter
• Dedicated to the goddess Athena
• Was blown up at some point in history

Temple of Athena Nik

• Dates back to approximately 426 B.C.
• Located on the Acropolis in Athens, Greece
• Designed by architect Callicrates
• Features prostyle columns (columns in the front)
• Features Peristyle columns (columns surrounding the temple)
• Dedicated to the goddesses Athena and Nike

Erechtheion

• Dates back to approximately 421-405 B.C.
• Located on the Acropolis in Athens, Greece
• Designed by architect Mnesicles
• Features Caryatids, which are female figures used as columns
• Female figures incorporate functional drapery
• Housed several cults, including those of Poseidon, Athena, and Erechtheus

Birth of Athena

• Dates back to approximately 445 B.C.
• Features High relief
• Pediments have been damaged due to natural disasters, fire, religious conflicts, weathering, and pollution
• Depicts the birth of the goddess Athena from the head of her father Zeus

Frieze of Jar Carriers

• Dates back to approximately 440 B.C.
• Artist : Phidias at Parthenon
• Depicts a ritualistic event honoring Athena
• May depict victors of the Torch race
• Believed the water in the vessels was for sprinkling on the altar and watering animals

Athena Parthenos the Self-born

• Dates back to approximately 445 B.C.
• Artist : Phidias at Parthenon
• Utilizes the "Cire Perdue" (lost wax) technique in bronze sculptures
• Incorporates "Patina", which involves the oxidation of copper or bronze to create a green rust
• It was recreated and is currently in Nashville

Charioteer of Delphi

• Dates back to approximately 475 B.C.
• Is Cire Perdue
• Features wires that were intended as leashes for Gilt horses (gilt is the shine to bronze that makes it look gold)
• Is extremely tall, ensuring the upper body is visible despite the wagon's size

Bronze Poseidon

• Dates back to approximately 470 B.C.
• Used wood or ivory for eyeballs
• Archeologists believed it was Zeus
• Would have held a trident

Discobolus

• Dates back to approximately 460 B.C.
• Artist - Myron
• Follows a circular theme
• Represents an athlete throwing a discus during an Olympic game
• Uses a wood stump for support to prevent the statue from falling

Doryphorus

• Dates back to approximately 450 B.C.
• Artist - Polykleitos
• Embodies contrapposto
• Was known as the perfect male body
• Artist combined the best-looking body parts from different athletes

Stele of Hegeso

• Dates back to approximately 400 B.C.
• Depicts Hegeso passing on knowledge to her daughter
• Was painted
• Features functional/wet drapery

Pre-Hellenistic Period (421 - 323 B.C.)

• Key artworks from this period are described

Hermes with Infant Dionysius

• Dates back to approximately 350 B.C.
• Artist - Praxiteles
• Features Hermes holding a kid, with grapes originally intended for the other hand
• Uses a cloak for support
• Discovered in the temple of Hera

Aphrodite of Knidos

• Dates back to approximately 350 B.C.
• Artist - Praxiteles
• First time a female figure was made nude
• Contrapposto
• Was meant to be in a niche (a cutout in the wall to put sculptures.)
• It is not a sculpture in the round, and contains no details at the back

Hellenistic Period (323 - 146 B.C.)

• Known as Greek Culture
• Greeks referred to as "Hellenes"

Temple of Olympian Zeus

• Dates back to approximately 174 B.C.
• Based in Athens, Greece
• All Greeks disliked it for being so big
• Features Corinthian leaves at the top of the column
• Incorporates Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian columns

Stoa of Attalos

• Dates back to approximately 130 B.C.
• Based in Athens, Greece
• Bottom floor had groceries, clothes, etc
• Top floor had more expensive things
• Half of the columns are smoothed to prevent chipping

Altar of Zeus

• Dates back to approximately 180 B.C.
• Located in Pergamon, Greece
• Features panels
• Is a Sigato (Giants vs. Gods)
• Panels were made separately and then put together

Gigantomachy

• Dates back to approximately 180 B.C.
• On the Altar of Zeus

Dying Gaul

• Dates back to approximately 230 B.C.
• Features a dying German soldier
• Meant to show enemies not to mess with the Greeks

Drunken Woman

• Dates back to approximately 200 B.C.
• Reflects a drinking problem at the time
• Served as a reminder for people not to drink

Apollo Belvedere

• Dates back to approximately 100 B.C.
• Would have included a bow
• Features curlier hair than usual
• Has a snake slithering on a log

Nike of Samothrace

• Dates back to approximately 200 B.C.
• Located in the Louvre
• Taken from a boat carved out of a mountain
• Features functional drapery

Laocoon

• Dates back to approximately 50 B.C.
• Made out of marble
• Illustrates the attempt to save a boy and himself
• Showcases complex emotions in sculptures