Greek and Roman Art Lecture 4 PDF

Art History Classical Civilization GREEK & ROMAN ART DSN104: Lecture 4 Dr. Asmaa Soliman GREEK ART  Geography of Greek The geography of Ancient Greek civilization changed over time. It started in Greece, the Aegean islands, and the west coast of what is now...

Art History Classical Civilization GREEK & ROMAN ART DSN104: Lecture 4 Dr. Asmaa Soliman GREEK ART  Geography of Greek The geography of Ancient Greek civilization changed over time. It started in Greece, the Aegean islands, and the west coast of what is now Turkey..  Historical Periods 01 Characteristics of Archaic Period (600-480 BC) Rigid and frontal figures. Kouros & Kore statues. Archaic Smile.  Historical Periods 02 Characteristics of Classical Period (480-320 BC) Ideal beauty & proportions (Humanism) Contrapposto pose Focus on athleticism & intellectual strength. The Discus Thrower Statue (Myron) sadness, and imperfection. The Discus Thrower Statue (Myron)  Historical Periods 03 Characteristics of Hellenistic Period (320-30 BC) Emotional expression & realism. Complex statues with dynamic poses (e.g., Winged Victory of Samothrace). Winged Victory of Samothrace statue https://www.worldhistory.org/image/5287/nike-of-samothrace/ The central principle of Greek art Greek art focused on ideal human beauty, aiming for perfect proportions in the human body. "the measure of all things" (Protagoras) the main characteristics in Greek arts 1- Realistic Beauty: Idealized, lifelike human body. 2- Human Focus: Emotions, achievements, and physical form. 3- Balance and Proportion: Symmetry in art and architecture, like the Parthenon. 4- Mythology and Religion: Gods, heroes, mythological stories.  the main characteristics in Greek arts 5- Innovative Architecture: Iconic columns (Doric, Ionic, Corinthian). 6- Detailed Sculpture: Natural poses and accurate anatomy. 7- Storytelling in Pottery: Daily life and mythology through painted scenes. Types of Greek Art  Types of Grrk Art Sculpture Architecture Pottery Painting  Sculpture Idealized human form, dynamic poses. Contrapposto and anatomical perfection. Hebe was the Greek goddess of youth  Characteristics of Classical period (Greek Sculptures) Archaic Period (600 – 480 B.C.) Solid, frontal figures with Archaic smiles. Kouros: young man statue. Kore: young woman statue. Kore: young woman Kouros: young man statue Calf bearer, Athens, statue Greece, 560 BC  Characteristics of Classical period (Greek Sculptures) Classical Period (480 – 320 B.C.) Focus on perfect human forms in motion. Dynamic poses like Contrapposto. Idealized beauty and Proportions. Perseus with the Head of Medusa (Bronze, height 550 cm)  Characteristics of Classical period (Greek Sculptures) Hellenistic Period (320 – 30 B.C.) Hyper-realistic, emotional sculptures. Dramatic poses, intense feelings. Notable works: Seated Boxer, Winged Victory. Seated boxer, bronze. Laocoön and his Two (100–50 BC). Rome, sons( Marble, Early first Italy century BC)  Sculpture The Winged Victory of Samothrace shows a winged woman landing on a ship’s bow, symbolizing victory. The flowing dress and wings capture the movement of wind. Sculpture Sculpture  Architecture Columns: Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian orders. Temples: Rectangular buildings with a roof Caryatid porch of the Erechtheum. supported by columns. Proportions: Focus on balanced and symmetrical designs for beauty. Temples such as the Temple of Hera I and II.  Architecture The characteristics of the Greek Architecture: PROPORTION HARMONY STRICT RULES DIFFERENT STYLES  Architecture Corinthian Doric Three Styles or Order Doric : Doric 1. Originated in mainland Greece. 2. Earliest / simplest and strength. 3. Most common. Ionic 1. Slim with scroll-like tops. 2. Introduced by architects from Asia Minor. Ionic 3. Used for smaller temples. Corinthian 1. Decorative with leaf designs. 2. Not widely used in Greece, but was favorite of Roman architects.  Architecture THE GREAT ALTAR OF ZEUS The Great Altar of Zeus (also known as the Pergamon Altar) was built around 180- 160 BC and is now in the Pergamon Museum, Berlin. It blends sculpture and architecture, with reliefs showing the battle of gods against their enemies. Grave altars often included scenes from a person's life, and wealthier families added portraits of multiple generations. THE GREAT ALTAR OF ZEUS Pottery The pottery of ancient Greece from c. 1000 to c. 400 BC provides the oldest and most diverse representations of the cultural beliefs and practices of the ancient Greeks.  Pottery ○ Geometric Period (900 – 700 B.C): ○ The pottery drawings had horizontal bands, zigzags, and triangles(Geometric pottery). They included funerary objects and grave markers for nobles, detailed expressions, complex clothing, and daily scenes like education and sports using perspective. ○ Archaic Period: Black-figure pottery, red-figure technique. ○ Decorative scenes: everyday life, athletic scenes, and mythological events. Pottery POTTERY OF ARCHAIC PERIOD (BLACK-FIGURE) STYLE ROMAN ART  Geography of Roman Ancient Rome started in central Italy and grew to control the Mediterranean And much of western Europe.  Central Principle to ROMAN Art Roman art combined the idealized perfection of Greek sculpture with a focus on realism. Adding Eastern influences to create some of the finest ancient works.  Key Characteristics of Roman Art: 1.Realistic Portraits: Roman art focused on capturing realistic features and personal Features, especially in sculptures. 2.Depth and Perspective: Paintings and mosaics often used perspective to create a three-dimensional effect. 3.Historical Storytelling: Many artworks and monuments show important events, battles, and the lives of emperors.  Key Characteristics of Roman Art: 4.Public Monuments: Romans built grand arches, columns, and statues to honor leaders and victories. 5.Functional and Decorative: Roman art included practical items like pottery and mosaics that were beautifully decorated. Example: (Altar of Peace) is a monument celebrating Emperor Augustus, show Roman detail and storytelling style. Types of Roman Art  Types of Roman Art Sculpture Painting Mosaic Sculpture  Sculpture Roman sculpture was influenced by Etruria (realistic funerary portraits) and Greece (emotional depth in portraits). If Greek art focused on idealism, Roman art focused more on realism, with portraits of individuals and detailed reliefs showing specific events.  Sculpture The four main types of Roman sculpture are: Busts of emperors and public figures. Portrait and equestrian statues. Funerary sculpture. Architectural sculpture. Focus on realistic showing of individuals and events. Sculpture BUSTS Nero (Roman emperor) Caesar Augustus Hadrian set in a bust with from 54 to 68 CE. cuirass Marble. Ca. 130 CE. Sculpture Portrait They also invented The Equestrian Portrait Simple and summarize. Marcus Aurelius Equestrian, Capitoline Hill, Rome (Early Empire, c. 165 CE). Bronze. Larger than life- size. Sculpture Portrait Portrait of Augustus as General: Marble copy from 20 BC, showing Rome's power with realistic eye sculptures in statues of emperors, gods, and heroes. Portrait of Augustus as general Marble copy of bronze original 20 BC Sculpture Funerary These carvings in relief on a side panel or as a lying figure on the lid added a personal touch to the coffin and symbolized status due to their higher production cost. ARCHITECTURAL SCULPTURE: (ALTAR OF AUGUSTAN PEACE) (Altar of Augustan Peace), 9 B.C. (Ara Pacis Museum, Rome, Italy) The most famous altar: a large stone block showing viewers and participants in a religious celebration. Painting ○ Mural Styles (First to Fourth Styles) First Style: Colored plaster Second Style: Architectural illusions, vanishing points Third Style: Ornate, flat planes with detailed designs Fourth Style: Complex , combines previous styles, mythological themes Painting First Style: Mau categorized how artists divided the lower section of walls into three areas using paint, color, and images to contrast with the walls flat surface. Example of First Style painting, House of the Faun, Pompeii, built 2nd century, B.C.  Painting Used fake marble blocks, illusionistic images, and detailed architectural elements. Mainly black, red, and yellow, aiming for symmetry and a window-like view. Second Style painting:cubiculum (bedroom), Villa of P. Fannius Synistor, 50-40 B.C., Fresco.  Painting Third Style : Ornate with broad, single-color areas like black or dark red, decorated with ornaments and tiny, detailed designs to highlight the flat wall surface. Panel with candelabrum, villa Agrippa Postumus, last decade of the 1st century B.C.  Painting Fourth Style (Complex) : This style combines elements from the three previous styles: From 1st style: division of the wall into several surfaces. From 2nd style: framing naturalistic architectural scenes, fake marble blocks along the base. From 3rd style: large flat wall surface of color and slender architectural details. Example of Fourth Style painting, Ixion Room, House of the Vetii, Pompeii, 1st century C.E  Mosaic Roman mosaics were common in homes and public buildings across the empire. Mosaic ○ Black and white tiles for geometric and marine motifs. ○ 2D representations, later more detailed portraits.  Mosaic The common Roman style in Italy used black and white tiles, often for marine designs in baths like the Baths of Caracalla.  Mosac And also they used flat, two-dimensional art with geometric designs, creating a 'carpet' effect. This style later influenced Christian churches and Jewish temples. Mosac Mosaics showed human figures more realistically over time, with more accurate and detailed portraits. Mosac The mosaic shows the wealth and power of the house owner. Such detailed mosaics are uncommon in Pompeii and the Roman world. The main difference between Greek and Roman art is: 1- Idealism vs. Realism: a. Greek Art: Showed ideal beauty and perfect proportions, often in gods and athletes. b. Roman Art: Focused on realism and individuality, showing age and expressions. 2- Functionality: a. Greek Art: Celebrated gods and achievements through sculptures and pottery. b. Roman Art: Highlighted public monuments and political messages to glorify the state and leaders. Summary : Greek art aimed for ideal beauty with fewer details, while Roman art focused on realistic representation, practicality, and more details.  Reference https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6bDrYTXQLu8 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GXoEpNjgKzg https://egymonuments.gov.eg/en/museums/graeco-roman-museum http://www.alexandria.gov.eg/alex/english/Graeco%20Roman%20Museum.html THANK YOU