art of the greek golden age. before we look at greek art, we need to know what to look for and how...

Art of the Greek Golden Age

Before we look at Greek art, we need to know WHAT to look for and HOW to interpret what we see.

WHAT do you see in the image above?

HOW might you interpret it to construct information about the artist’s culture and values?

NOW, ONTO GREEK SCULPTURE!

Anavysos Kouros, c. 525 BCE, marble.

Freestanding Greek Sculpture BEFORE the

Persian Wars

- If it’s a female, it’s called Kore/Korai• usually portray

priestesses, nymphs

• always clothed

- If it’s a male it’s called Kouros/Koroi • Usually portray

heroes, deities• always nude

Peplos Kore, c. 530 BCE, marble.

WHAT do you see in these statues?

Are they realistic?

Are they natural?

Are they beautiful?

HOW might you interpret what you see?

Freestanding Greek Sculpture AFTER the Persian Wars (looks a bit different, no?)

Kritian Boy, c. 480 BCE, marble.

MAJOR breakthroughs come with the Golden Age & are evident in Greek Art:

HUMANISMRATIONALISM

IDEALISM

What do these sculptures share in

common?

How are they different?

How do we see more

Humanism, Rationalism, & Idealism in the

Kritian Boy than in the Anavysos

Kouros?

HUMANISMAfter the Kritian Boy, sculpture became even more life-like as artists embraced a humanistic interest in the body

- Careful study of human form: muscle, flesh, bone

- Understanding of body’s movement in space

- Calm, confident pose and facial expression

Riace Warrior B, c. 460-450 BCE, bronze.

RATIONALISM

- Mathematical study: proportions, units of measurement, systems for understanding relationships of body parts to each other

- BALANCE of tension and relaxations throughout the sculpture

- For Polykleitos, Beauty = Good

Spear-Bearer by Polykleitos, c. 440 BCE, marble.

Spear-Bearer

IDEALISM

- What is the most BEAUTIFUL?

- Exploring new poses to find beauty – seemingly everyday moment

- Delicacy of her drapery, sliding off her shoulder

- Erotic?

Nike Adjusting her Sandal, c. 410-405 BCE, marble.

Humanism, Rationalism, Idealism

Disc Thrower by Myron, c. 450 BCE, marble.