3. greek and roman art
TRANSCRIPT
Greek and Roman Art2nd ESO
Maira Gil Camarón
Greek ArchitectureTemples
Greek temples were usually built in marble. However, they were originally painted in bright colours, which gradually disappearedGreek temples were rectangular. The Greeks did not use arches and vaults, and flat roofs were supported on columns:
The pronaos was the entrance porch to the templeThe naos was the main hall, where the statue of the
god was keptThe opisthodomos was a back room where offerings
were left
The three ordersThe Greeks were concerned about proportion, beauty and harmony. Their architects followed strict rules, called orders, which determined the style of a building. They developed three architectural systems, called orders, each with their own distinctive proportions and detailing
Greeks build straight arches using a lintel and posts (or beam), and this caused lots of disadvantages:
You need lots of columns You can’t build tall buildings
The ParthenonThe Parthenon was built in Athens in the 5th century BC. It replaced an earlier temple that was destroyed during the Persian invasion in 480 BC.The Parthenon was located on the acropolis, which was the fortified area in the highest part of the city. It was built in honour of the goddess Athena, who was the patron of the city. Inside the temple, there was a huge statue of Athena by the sculptor Phidias
The outside walls were decorated with reliefs of the Panathenaic procession. This was celebrated in Athens every year in honour of Athena
The statue of the goddess Athena was made of gold and ivory. Athena’s helmet was decorated with winged horses and a sphinx. She held a small figure representing victory
The pediments of the Parthenon were decorated with sculptures, which narrated legends about Athena
Metopes were square panels with reliefs. They were placed around the entire building. The sculptures showed battles between giants, centaurs and other mythical creatures
Greek SculptureGreek sculpture and reliefs usually represented gods and heroes, and were made for temples
Sculptors tried to represent human beauty. They believed that a sculpture should show the ideal proportions of the human body
They worked in marble and bronze. They then painted their sculptures in bright colours
Most Greek bronze sculptures have disappeared. However, we know what they looked like because the Romans made marble copies
Greek sculpture evolved over a long period of time: In the Archaic period, sculpture was static and rigid In the Classical period, it became more realistic and
represented ideal beauty In the Hellenistic period, it was expressive and dynamic
HOW DO WE ANALYSE SCUPTURES?
We analyse Greek sculptures in the following way: Movement. Static sculptures belong to the Archaic period. If
they show some movement, they are probably from the Classical period. Very dynamic sculptures are from the Hellenistic period
Expression. The earliest sculptures were stiff and inexpressive. In the Classical period, faces had a natural and serene expression. In the Hellenistic period, they were very expressive
Composition. In the Classical period, sculptures were balanced and harmonious
ARCHAIC PERIOD
Kouros from Anavysos, 6th century BC. A kouros was a standing sculpture showing a warrior or athlete
Peplos kore, 6th century BC. A kore was a standing female figure. This kore was perhaps a goddess
CLASSICAL PERIOD
CANON. In the 5th century BC, the sculptor Polykleitos established a canon (or rule) for human beauty. The height of a human body should be seven times its head. In the 4th century BC, the sculptor Praxiteles established a new canon. The height of a human body should be eight times its head
Diskobolus, by Miron, 5th century
Aphrodite, by Cnidus, 4th century
HELLENISTIC PERIOD
Laocoon and his sons, 1st centry BC
They Dying Gaul, 3rd century BC
Aphrodite of Milos, 2nd century BC
Winged Victory of Samothrace (Nike of Samothrace), 2nd century BC
Roman ArchitectureThe Romans built a large scale monumental buildings for public use. They also carried out many practical engineering projects, like aqueducts, bridges and roads
The Romans use stone, like the Greeks. But they also use mortar, concrete and bricks so their constructions were extremely solid
The Romans were influenced by Greek architecture. However, they added their features like the arch and vault
Amphitheatre (photo: Coliseum, 1st century AD). They were round. They were used for fights between gladiators and wild animals
Pantheon (2nd century AD). It was commissioned by Agrippa and completed by Hadrian.
Roman sculptureMany Roman sculpture were copies of Greek ones, but the also made original sculptures
Roman portraits were very realistic The Romans put sculptures of emperor and other famous
people in the forum. They could be standing figures or equestrian figures
Reliefs on triumphal arches told the story of Rome’s military victories
Roman Painting Romans painted portraits, scenes from everyday life,
animals and scenes from myths and legends Murals (paintings on walls) were used to decorate private
houses and public buildings like the baths. The Romans were the first people to paint landscapes
Small paintings were done on wooden panels. Wood doesn’t last forever, so very few of these paintings have survived
Mosaics were used to decorated the walls and floors of buildings. The Romans used small pieces of stone, glass or ceramic of different colours to make pictures