4 Greeks History

8/3/2019 4 Greeks History

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ANCIENT GREECE

Greek culture can be said to have begun with the Bronze Age

civilization of the Minoans in Crete. The Minoans built vast palaces,and were skilled in metalwork, pottery, artwork and the crafting of

jewelry. Civilization on the Greek mainland followed closely behind

that of Crete, and Greece soon became the cultural center of the

ancient world. Ancient Greek civilization was at its zenith during the

Classical era, from 499 BC to 79 BC.

The early Greeks were encouraged to be great thinkers and

philosophers. Their scientists and mathematicians laid the

groundwork that made today's scientific discoveries possible. They

loved to gather together to discuss concepts, ideas, religion and

politics, spending much time in the agora (marketplace) in

conversation and argument. Ancient Greeks were great lovers of

beauty, art, literature and drama, and enjoyed listening to stories,

fables and legends.


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ANCIENT GREEK ART

The Ancient Greeks created what has become known as

classical art. Greeks are seen by many as the

cornerstone to the western traditions of art and ideas.

The Ancient Greeks are known for three main items;their sculptures, their temples, and their vase

paintings. The art work embodies much of what made

the Greek civilization great.


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The Ancient Greeks were organized into independent

city-states. In these states the ideas of courage, valor,and independence where strongly held values. These

themes can be seen very clearly in their human

depictions. The Greeks idealized humans, showing the

strong and youthful depiction of men and women.

The topics shown in their vases reflect the importance

of strength, athletic competition, and battles. Their

temples reflected their religious beliefs in the gods.


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The arts of ancient Greece has exercised an enormous influence on the culture

of many countries from ancient times until the present, particularly in the

areas of sculpture and architecture. In the West, the art of the Roman Empire

was largely derived from Greek models. In the East, Alexander the Great's

conquests initiated several centuries of exchange between Greek, Central

Asian and Indian cultures, resulting in Greco-Buddhist art, with ramifications as

far as Japan. Following the Renaissance in Europe, the humanist aesthetic and

the high technical standards of Greek art inspired generations of European

artists. Well into the 19th century, the classical tradition derived from Greecedominated the art of the western world.


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The art of Ancient Greece is usually divided stylistically into four periods: the

Geometric, Archaic, Classical, and Hellenistic. As noted above, the Geometric

age is usually dated from about1000 BC, although in reality little is known

about art in Greece during the preceding 200 years (traditionally known as theDark Ages

), the period of the 7th century BC witnessed the slow development

of the Archaic style as exemplified by the black-figurestyle of vase painting.

The onset of thePersian Wars (480 BCto 448 BC

) is usually taken as the

dividing line between the Archaic and the Classical periods, and the reign of

Alexander the Great(336 BCto 323 BC) is taken as separating the Classical

from the Hellenistic periods.


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In reality, there was no sharp transition from one period to another. Forms of art

developed at different speeds in different parts

of the Greek world, and as in any age some artists worked in more innovativestyles than others. Strong local traditions, conservative I

n character, and the requirements of local cults, enable historians to locate the

origins even of displaced works of art.


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Contents

1 Survivals

2 Monumental Sculpture

.1 Materials, forms

.2 Archaic

.3 Classical

.4 Hellenistic3 Architecture

4 Painting

.4 Vase painting


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SURVIVALS

Ancient Greek art has survived most successfully in the forms of sculpture and

architecture, as well as in such minor arts as coin design, pottery and gem

engraving. From the Archaic period a great deal of painted pottery survives, but

these remnants give a misleading impression of the range of Greek artistic

expression. The Greeks, like most European cultures, regarded painting as thehighest form of art. The painter Polygnotus ofThasos, who worked in the mid 5th

century BC, was regarded by later Greeks in much the same way that people today

regard Leonardo or Michelangelo, and his works were still being admired 600 years

after his death. Today none survive, even as copies.

Ancient Greek art has survived most successfully in the forms of sculpture and

architecture, as well as in such minor arts as coin design, pottery and gem

engraving. From the Archaic period a great deal of painted pottery survives, but

these remnants give a misleading impression of the range of Greek artistic

expression. The Greeks, like most European cultures, regarded painting as thehighest form of art. The painter Polygnotus ofThasos, who worked in the mid 5th

century BC, was regarded by later Greeks in much the same way that people today

regard Leonardo or Michelangelo, and his works were still being admired 600 years

after his death. Today none survive, even as copies.


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The great majority of Greek buildings have not survived: they were either

pillaged in war, looted for building materials or destroyed in Greece's

many earthquakes. Much was systematically destroyed in the fourth and

fifth centuries by fanatical Christians who resented the paganassociations of many buildings and shrines.


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Even in the fields of sculpture and architecture, only a fragment of the total

output of Greek artists survives. Many sculptures of pagan gods were

destroyed during the early Christian era. When marble is burned, lime isproduced, and that was the unfortunate fate of the great bulk of Greek

marble statuary during theMiddle Ages. Likewise, the acute shortage of

metal during the Middle Ages led to the majority of Greekbronzestatues

being melted down. Those statues which survived did so primarily because

they were buried and forgotten, or in the case of bronzes, lost in the sea.


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From the Archaic period of Greek art, painted pottery and sculpture are

almost the only forms of art which have survived in any quantity. Only very

few examples of painting have survived from this period. Although coins were

invented in the mid7th century BC, they were not common in most of Greece

until the 5th century.

The Greeks believed that Man is the measure of all things and sought to

recognize this in every statue to capture the natural essence of humanity.


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Ancient Greek Sculpture

There are three main periods of Greek

Sculpture; Archaic, Classical and

Hellenistic. The Greeks were blessed

with a large supply of marble, which was

what they used most in their

sculptures. Bronze was also used in their

artistic work of humans. Many of theoriginal sculptures were damaged or

destroyed. Yet, many still survived

because the Romans make copies or

duplications of the original works.

ARCHAIC SCULPTURE

CLASSICALSCULPTURE

HELLENISTIC SCULPTURE

Ancient Greek sculptures were mostly made of two types of material. Stone,

especially marble or other high-quality limestone's was used most frequently

and carved by hand with metal tools. Stone sculptures could be free-standing

fully carved in the round (statues), or only partially carvedreliefsstill attached

to a background plaque, for example in architecturalfriezes or gravestelai.


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ARCHAIC SCULPTURE

The Archaic period was the earliest

period in Greek Sculpture which started

around 600 B.C. and lasted until 480B.C. These works have a stiff and ridged

appearance similar to that of the

Egyptian sculpture.

Kleobis and Biton,

kouroiof the Archaic period,

c. 580 B.C.

Held at the

Delphi Archaeological Museum.

Sculpture is by far the most important surviving form of

Ancient Greek art, although only a small fragment of Greek

sculptural output has survived. Greek sculpture, often in the

form of Roman copies, was immensely influential during the

Italian Renaissance, and remained the "classic" model for

European sculpture until the advent ofmodernism in the

late 19th century time period.


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Inspired by the monumental stone sculpture ofEgyptandMesopotamia,

during the Archaic period the Greeks began again to carve in stone. Free-

standing figures share the solidity and frontal stance characteristic of

Eastern models, but their forms are more dynamic than those ofEgyptian

sculpture, as for example theLady of Auxerre and Torso of Hera (EarlyArchaic period, c. 660-580 bc, both in the Louvre, Paris). After about 575 BC,

figures, such as these, both male and female, wore the so-called archaic

smile. This expression, which has no specific appropriateness to the person or

situation depicted, may have been a device to give the figures a distinctive

human characteristic.


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CLASSICALSCULPTURE

The second period, the Classical period, was between the

Archaic and Hellenistic times. The Classical period shows a

very large shift from the stiff Archaic to a more realistic and

sometimes idealistic portrayal of the human

figure. Females, after the 5th century B.C., were depicted

nude, often with flowing robes. The robes gave the

sculpture the idea of movement and realism in an effort by

the artist to show humans more realistically.

Family group on a grave marker from

Athens,National Archaeological Museum, Athens Bronze Sculpture


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HELLENISTIC SCULPTURE

The third period, the Hellenistic period, started a little before 300 B.C. To

the average person, it is more difficult to see the distinctions between the

Classical and Hellenistic period. Both periods did the majority of their

sculpture as nudes. The Greeks portrayed a young, vigorous, and athletic

person in their works. These works idealized the individual and in a way,attempted to capture the idea of youth and strength in their design. The

works reflect the commonly held views of youth, strength, and courage

which were encouraged in the Greek City states.


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A couple of interesting notes about the Greek

sculpture. Greeks portrayed the gods in very similar

fashion as they did the regular humans. There were no

distinctions of size or body make up in their sculpturewhich would suggest that the gods where greater or more

powerful then the humans. This is also similar in Greek

stories, where the gods are shown to have very human

characteristics, both good and bad.


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ANCIENT GREECE FURNITURE

HISTORY

The Greek history of furniture can be traced back to the heritage ofEgyptian

furniture. The earliest Greek civilizations borrowed styles and ideas from

Egypt, but by the Classical era, designs had subtly changed to a style that was

uniquely Greek. Lines became softer, much use was made of subtle and

elegant curves, and more attention was given to comfort. Although almost no

furniture has survived the centuries, Greek artwork such as pottery

decorations and friezes depict daily Greek life in Greek homes, and this has

given us an accurate idea of early Greek furniture designs.

Styles


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Greek furniture styles were simple, elegant and tasteful.Although carving and inlays were used, furniture was not

over-decorated. Houses were not cluttered with much

furniture, and household items were made for use and

comfort rather than decoration. However, the Greek love

of beauty and art extended to furniture design, and thefew simple items of furniture in an early Greek

household were often works of art in their own right.

The andron was furnished with reclining

couches;


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Kline the Greeks followed the Eastern tradition of lying

down to eat. These couches, known as klines, had a

headboard that could be used as a backrest whilesitting, and were elegantly upholstered. They could be

made entirely of wood, but often had bronze legs cast in

animal styles. The klines would be placed around the

walls, and small tables would be placed next to them to

hold the food and drink.

Both fixed and folding stools were

popular from early times. Later these

evolved into chairs for everyday use;

previously chairs were only used for

ceremonial occasions. Greek classical

chairs had curved backs and legs, and

were often elegantly upholstered.


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CHESTS

Cupboards and shelves were unknown. Various types and sizes of chests were used

for storage. These were usually decorated, perhaps painted with a

Cupboards and shelves were unknown.Various types and sizes of chests were

used for storage. These were usually

decorated, perhaps painted with a

Greek Chest Picture frieze of leaves and flowers. Chests

were prized pieces of furniture, and would often be

passed down from one generation to another.


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GREEK REVIVAL

Greek classical furniture was the inspiration for the designers of

the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Archaeological finds firedthe imagination of the world, and the simple, elegant lines of

ancient Greek's furniture inspired the cabinet makers of the day

to move away from earlier, heavier and more ornate styles to

imitate ancient Greek and Roman designs. This gave rise to the

Neoclassical style of furniture, which is much sought after byantique collectors of today. Early Greek furniture design has

influenced the world of interior decorating, just as surely as early

Greek thinking has left its mark on the world of science and

technology.


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ARCHITECTURE IN ANCIENT GREECE

Greek life was dominated by religion and so it is not surprising that the templesof ancient Greece were the biggest and most beautiful. They also had a political

purpose as they were often built to celebrate civic power and pride, or offer

thanksgiving to the patron deity of a city for success in war.

Doric

The Doric style is rather sturdyand its top (the capital), is

plain. This style was used in

mainland Greece and the

colonies in southern Italy and

Sicily.

Ionic

The Ionic style is thinner andmore elegant. Its capital is

decorated with a scroll-like

design (a volute). This style

was found in eastern Greece

and the islands.

Corinthian

The Corinthian style is seldomused in the Greek world, but

often seen on Roman temples.

Its capital is very elaborate and

decorated with acanthus

leaves.


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DORIC ORDER

temple of Athena Parthenon ("Virgin"), Greek goddess of wisdom, on the

Acropolis in Athens. The Parthenon was built in the 5th century BC, and despite

the enormous damage it has sustained over the centuries, it still communicates

the ideals of order and harmony for which Greek architecture is known.

PARTHENON


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IONIC ORDER

ERECHTHEUM

temple from the middle classical period of

Greek art and architecture, built on the

Acropolis of Athens between 421 and 405BC.

THE TEMPLE OF ATHENA NIKE


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CORINTHIAN ORDER

most ornate of the classic orders of architecture. It was also the latest, notarriving at full development until the middle of the 4th cent. B.C.

The oldest known example, however, is found in the temple of Apollo at

Bassae (c.420 B.C.). The Greeks made little use of the order; the chief example is the

circular structure at Athens known as the choragic monument of Lysicrates ( 335 B.C.).

The temple of Zeus at Athens (started in the 2d cent. B.C. and completed by Emperor

Hadrian in the 2d cent. A.D.) was perhaps the most notable of the Corinthian temples.


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Ancient Greek Architecture ::

Small Greek Temple Exterior


Small Greek Temple Floor Plan


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Greek Carved Design (Key Pattern)


Egg and Tongue MouldingAncient Greek Architecture ::

Leaf and Tongue Moulding


Honeysuckle Carving


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POTTERY The Ancient Greeks made pottery for everydayuse, not for display; Most surviving pottery

consists of drinking vessels, bowls for mixing

wine and water, water jars, libation bowls, jugs

and cups. Painted funeral urns have also been

found. Miniatures were also produced in large

numbers, mainly for use as offerings at

temples. In the Hellenistic period a wider

range of pottery was produced, but most of it

is of little artistic importance.

At the end of the Geometric phased, the

Oriental zing phase of vase painting, saw the

abstract geometric designs replaced by the

more rounded, realistic forms of Eastern

motifs, such as the lotus, palmetto, lion, and

sphinx. Ornament increased in amount and

intricacy.


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In earlier periods even quite small Greek cities produced pottery for their own locale.

These varied widely in style and standards. Distinctive pottery that ranks as art was

produced on some of the Aegean islands, in Crete, and in the wealthy Greek colonies of

southern Italy and Sicily. By the later Archaic and early Classical period, however, thetwo great commercial powers, Corinth and Athens, came to dominate. Their pottery

was exported all over the Greek world, driving out the local varieties. Pots from Corinth

and Athens are found as far afield as Spain and Ukraine, and are so common in Italy that

they were first collected in the 18th century as "Etruscan vases". Many of these pots are

mass-produced products of low quality. In fact, by the 5th century BC, pottery had

become an industry and pottery painting ceased to be an important art form.

The history of Ancient Greek pottery is divided stylistically into periods:

the Protogeometric from about 1050 BC;

the Geometric from about 900 BC;

the Late Geometric or Archaic from about 750 BC;

the Black Figure from the early 7th century BC;

and the Red Figure from about 530 BC.

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