Greek Part 1

Question 1

What are some hallmarks of the Geometric period in ancient Greece?

Answer 1

• 900-700 BC
• construction of large temples and sanctuaries dedicated to gods→ state religion
• Olympic gods
• epic poetry→ Homer→ the Iliad (Greek vs Troy); the Odyssey (adventures of Odysseus)
• bronze/terracotta/painted scenes on vessels= interest in figural imagery that focuses on funerary rituals and the heroic world of aristocratic warriors and their equipment
• turning, decorating, and firing terracotta vases; casting and coldworking bronze, engraving gems, working gold
• no stone sculptures yet (maybe wood or bronze or clay)

Question 2

What was the purpose of the Geometric Krater?

Describe the type of decoration that borders the narrative scenes. What do the scenes depict?

Answer 2

• grave markers= large vases
• main scene shown= prosthesis→ ritual in ancient Greek funerary practice in which the deceased is laid out out on a high bed
• relatives/family come to mourn and pay respects
• deceased on his side with a checkered shroud
• triangular chest ppl shown frontally and breasts in profile
• circular heads→ profile
• geometric shapes; hence geometric period
• chariots/horses/warriors carry spears and shields→ may refer to the military accomplishments of the dead
• glorious ancestry?

Question 3

What are some hallmarks of the Archaic period?

Answer 3

• naturalistic
• eastern pictorial motifs (sirens, sphinxes, made up animals)
• Corinthians→ invented style of silhouetted forms (small animals and plants)
• Athens→ vase painters illustrate mythological scenes
• 6th century BC→ 2 types of freestanding large scale sculptures (male kouros (standing nude youth) or female kore (standing draped maiden))
• Egyptian influence in pose and proportions
• dedications to gods or grave markers

Question 4

Describe the general changes in art from the Geometric to the Archaic period.

Answer 4

-more naturalistic
-eastern pictorial motifs (sirens, sphinxes, made up animals)
-assimilate foreign styles into new portrayals of their own myths and customs→ classical greek art
?????

Question 5

With respect to Greek culture, identify some of the innovations that took place during the Archaic period.

Answer 5

• Thales of Miletos demonstrated cycles of nature, predicted solar eclipse and solstices
• Pythagoras→ mathematician
• Solon= made a written code of laws
• Athenian vases dominated export; show aspects of Greek culture (daily life, athletics, warfare, religion, mythology
• experiment with different painting techniques

Question 6

What kinds of scenes appear on pottery during the Archaic period?

Answer 6

• mythological scences

- trophy amphorai (vases) for victorious athletes in Panathenaic games

Question 7

What was the original function of the Panathenaic amphora?

Is this a more or less realistic depiction of human figures than on the Geometric krater?

Answer 7

• it was usually given as a prize to the winning athlete in one of the Panathenaic games every 4 year (in each event)
• filled with olive oil from sacred place
• much more realistic

Question 8

What is a kouros?
What was its original function?
In what ways is it similar to Egyptian figural sculptures?

Answer 8

• male youth
• nude
• original function= grave markers or dedications in the sanctuary of a god
• posture like egyptian statues (clenched fists, left leg forward, stiff)
• no like egyptian art= nude, not skirted, no rectangular piece of stone on the back
• lifelike vitality; concern with design

Question 9

Explain the importance of Athens during the Classical period (c. 479 BCE).

Answer 9

-dominated Grece politically, economically, and culturally
-organized confederacy of allies to ensure freedom of Greek cities
-wealthy imperial power
-developed into the first democracy
???
Parthenon on Acropolis

Question 10

In general, how did art change from the Archaic to the Classical period?

Answer 10

• representation conveys vitality of life, sense of permanence, clarity, and harmony,
• ideal
• red figure technique (no more black figure)
• HUMAN BODY clothed, nude, or in motion
• Praxiteles Aphrodite of Knidos
• nude (females usually shown draped)
• slender proportions, distinctive contrapposto stance= hallmarks

Question 11

Who was Polykleitos and for what achievement was he known?

Answer 11

-of Argos
made a system of proportions that achieved the artistic effect (vitality of life, sense of permanence, clarity, and harmony, ) and allowed others to reproduce it
-inspired by Pythgoras

Question 12

How does this sculpture ( Doryphoros (Spear Bearer)) exemplify Polykleitos’ Canon?

Answer 12

• it shows asymmetrical balance
• motion while at rest (looks like he’s moving but he’s not)
• harmony of opposites (head turns right, hips turn left; right arm and left leg are relaxed; right leg supports relaxed leg and opposes flexed arm with spear)
• tensed relaxed limbs support each other diagonally
• ideal beauty
• harmonious numerical ratios (Pythagoras)