Greek Art 2:Greek Art 2:Transitional, Classical, and

Hellenistic

How is sculpture How is sculpture evolving once again?evolving once again?

Kroisos Boy Kritios Boy

Kritios BoyKritios Boy

Delphi CharioteerDelphi CharioteerLooks calm and in control. No smile.

Straight folds resemble a column.

Bronze.

Idealized, yet especially hands and feet very realistic.

Riace Riace WarriorWarrior

Fairly recently discovered off the coast of Greece. Thrown into ocean to keep it from the Romans. Pearl divers thought it was a murdered body.

Young idealized youth meets older, experienced man.

Discus Discus Thrower Thrower

by Myronby MyronSnapshot of a moment. The climax of the action.

Body tensed and ready to spring, yet the face is completely calm.

Unrealistic pose.

Needs supports for the marble. Originally done in bronze.

Classical ArchitectureClassical Architecture

The Acropolis, Athens

The AcropolisThe Acropolis

Brief HistoryBrief HistoryPersians came and conquered Athens. Destroyed the previous temple to Athena. So Pericles commissioned it to be rebuilt. Architects were Ictinus and Kallikrates. Sculptor was Phidias.

Symbolized glory of Athens. 22,000 tons of marble were shipped from quarries 10 miles away.

Third century A.D. it fell into disrepair. Later, the Erectheion became a Christian church, then a Turkish harem. Parthenon became a Christian church, then a mosque.

In 1687, the Ottomons were using it to store gunpowder. A shell struck and the gunpowder exploded, destroying the cella and many columns as well as sculptures. It lay in ruins for years and years until it was restored.

Love of NatureLove of Nature

Sites are placed on top of a mountain. Not only was this smart defensively, but it emphasized their love of nature.

All the way up, you only see pieces. Gardens and paths leading up. View nature on the way to the top. Once on the top, great view of nature all around.

ParthenonParthenon

The ParthenonThe ParthenonWork started around 490 B.C. and was completed in 438 B.C. Sculptures finished in 432 B.C.

All of the sculpture was designed and administered, and much of it was done, by Phidias. Despite many artists contributing, Phidias’s vision unifies it.

Has 46 columns. 8 on each end and 17 on the sides.

Optical IllusionsOptical IllusionsGolden Mean

Entasis

Architrave and Stylobate raised two inches.

Supposed to be viewed as a monument, not a great stone box.

Pedimental SculpturePedimental SculptureThree Goddesses

Sculpture was completely in the round and then attached by

metal pins. That is one of the only ways we

know where remaining sculptures fit into the

pediment.

Metope of the Metope of the ParthenonParthenon

Doric frieze on the exterior of the Parthenon was decorated with 92 metope reliefs, 14 on each end and 32 on the sides.

Depict legendary battles, to commemorate Athenians victory over Persians.

Lapith Fighting a Centaur

The ProcessionalThe Processional

Located on the frieze of the inner building. Wraps all the way around, 525 feet of sculpture. Shows the Panathenaic procession that occurred every year. Depicts Athenians, rather than gods. Some feared this arrogance would incur the wrath of the gods.

Parthenon Parthenon AthenaAthena

Made of wooden core. Face and hands are ivory. Clothing and headdress are gold. 2500 pounds of gold in this statue. Gold was ripped off by a general in 250 B.C. to pay his troops. Possibly lost to fire.

Nike is shown (wings) with her.

This is from the replica of the Parthenon in Nashville, Tennessee.

PropylaeaPropylaea

Entrance into the Acropolis. Massive Doric gateway. Not so much its own building, more of a grand entrance.

Erectheum/ErectheionErectheum/Erectheion

Housed many shrines.

Asymmetrical design. Different functions and uneven terrain.

Porch of the Maidens. Beautifully and gracefully support the building as columns.

Temple of Athena NikeTemple of Athena NikeNike is the Goddess of Victory. Athena was worshipped in this form, as the Goddess of victory. First Ionic temple on the Acropolis. Athenians would worship there, especially when they were about to go into battle, hoping for a victory.

Classical SculptureClassical Sculpture

Nike Nike Fastening Fastening

Her SandleHer SandleFound in the temple of Athena Nike. Very revealing drapery. Masterful carving.

Hermes Hermes and and

DionysusDionysusby Praxiteles

Spear Spear Bearer/ Bearer/

DoryphorosDoryphorosby Polykleitosby Polykleitos

Perfectly calm. Classic calm.Polykleitos developed a humancanon. He made this sculpture

to exemplify this canon.

The The ScraperScraper

by Lysippos

Aphrodite Aphrodite of Knidosof Knidos

by Praxiteles

Hellenistic SculptureHellenistic Sculpture

Alexander the Alexander the GreatGreat

Quite remarkable young man that took over the whole world. He defeated the Persians, the

Egyptians, the Lydians. He conquered from Macedonia into the reaches of India. When he died, his generals wanted the spoils. Three generals rose: Ptolemy (Egypt), Antigonus

(Macedonia and Greece), and Seleucus (Mesopotamia, Asia

Minor, and Persia.) They spread Greek art throughout the world. Also, the world is incorporated into Greek art.

Winged Winged VictoryVictory

Nike of Samothrace

What about this sculpture is different

than Classical sculpture? What is the evolution

coming to now?

Venus de MiloVenus de MiloNot all Hellenistic artists liked the new changes.

This artist has returned to Classical sculpture. It

looks almost like Praxiteles’ Aphrodite.

What differences do you What differences do you see between Classical and see between Classical and

Hellenistic?Hellenistic?

Dying Gaul Old Market Woman

LaocoonLaocoon From the Altar of Zeus

Altar of Zeus FriezeAltar of Zeus Frieze

Hellenistic Hellenistic ArchitectureArchitecture

Altar of ZeusAltar of ZeusWhat is different about this and other temples?

Theater of EpidaurusTheater of EpidaurusMore personal. Stage and Orchestra.