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Greek and Roman Art
•Aegean Art 1600 -1100 BC: Minoan Art from Crete
Mycenaen Art from Mainland Greece
• Greek Art:Archaic Period 600 - 480 BCClassic Period 480 - 323 BC
Hellenistic Period 323 - 150 BC
• Roman Art:500 BC - 310 AD
The Aegean Sea Region
While the civilizations in Egypt and Mesopotamia were flourishing, two distinct cultures developed along the Aegean Sea. One was on the island of Crete and is termed Minoan.
The other was on the mainland of Greece at the city of Mycenae. They preceded Greek culture.
Map of Europe
Minoans were the richest of the Aegean civilizations. Bounded by the sea, they created a luxurious, relaxed way of life. Their most important palace center was a huge complex at Knossos, called the Palace of Minos.
Palace of Minos at Knossos 1600 - 1400BCIt contained many rooms, running water, a sewage system, theater, storerooms, terraces, and was decorated by frescoes. Frescoes are paintings made directly into wet plaster on the walls of buildings. Rather than sitting on top of the wall’s surface, the paint pigment becomes part of the wall itself.
Walls of the Palace of Minos were decorated by frescoes.
Minoan culture and art was greatly
influenced by living near the sea.
Minoan frescoes were characterized
by lightness and freely shaped
forms. The forms had a rhythmic
quality inspired by the sea.
Minoan Fresco Painting
Elaborate frescoes painted into the plaster walls show many aspects of Cretan life. Some depict processions and ceremonies.
Images from nature appear, including birds and sea creatures such as dolphins.
Minoan Fresco Painting
Minoan Fresco Painting
Minoan Fresco Painting
Minoan SculptureSculpture was small, and
like the frescoes, probably decorated the
living quarters of merchant rulers.
The Snake Goddess, carved from ivory and decorated with gold, is less than one foot tall.
c.1550 BC
Minoan Pottery Pottery was often
decorated with designs of plant and animal life. Here the octopus shape adheres to the form of the vase in a manner which unites the 3-
dimensional object with a flat design.
Minoan Pottery Pottery was often
decorated with designs of plant and
animal life.
Minoan Pottery
Pottery was often
decorated with designs of plant and animal life.
Minoan Pottery Pottery
was often decorated
with designs of plant and
animal life.
Mycenaean Art The outer gateway at the citadel of Mycenae
is called the Lion Gate, c.1250 BC.
It is topped by a huge triangular-shaped, carved stone slab.
Depicted on the stone are two majestic
standing lions. The blocks are cut to fit exactly together.
Little is known of Mycenaean culture,
which ended abruptly around 1100 BC when the Dorians invaded
from the north.
Mycenaean Sculpture The Vaphio Cups from a grave in Laconia are some of the most famous gold pieces found in Mycenae.
The lively reliefs illustrate several ways people captured bulls.
Mycenaean Sculpture Funeral Mask1500 BC, Gold,
12”
Greek Art:Archaic Period 600 - 480 BCClassic Period 480 - 323 BC
Hellenistic Period 323 - 150 BC
Kouros Youth
600 BCThis life-size nude
represents either the god Apollo or an ideal athlete. Figures were stylized and did not
represent real people. They face front, with arms held stiffly at their sides. This
marble statue is in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in
NYC.
Kritios Boy/480 BCThe development of Greek art is easily seen in its sculpture. Early Greek figures were stylized; this somewhat later figure shows a
change towards a more naturalistic approach. The first important point
is that the boy really stands; his back leg is not bound to the stone
block for balance. Openings are seen between the arms and sides.
Notice how the right hip drops down and inward. The knee of the foward
leg is lower than the other knee. The body weight rests mainly on the left leg, forming a slight S-curve. This
pose is called contrapposto.
Instead of a stiff and stylized pose, this relaxed gesture helps the figure
come to life for the viewer.
Charioteer of Delphi
Bronze, 470 BCThis is typical of the
changes which took place during the Greek Classic Period — the figure is a specific individual, and
the pose is more natural. It is cast in bronze. Few
bronze sculptures survived over the ages — most were lost or melted
down later for use in making weapons and
ammunition.
Charioteer of Delphi
Bronze, 470 BCThe charioteer was
originally polished, its eyes made of glass paste,its lips and
eyelashes of copper. In most later bronzes these features are now missing, and dark holes remain for the lost eyes. The cloth folds, muscles and facial features are naturalistic. The calm look symbolized
a classical balance of emotion, personality and
physical ability.
Three Goddesses, 435 BC, MarbleSome sculptures were designed to fit exactly into the pediment, the flat triangular area at each end of the Parthenon. The drapery seen in this sculpture was rendered in such a convincing manner that it appears to cling to the draped figures. The folds create visual movement, leading
the viewer’s eye through the piece.
The ParthenonAthenians decorated the most famous building in their city, the Parthenon with an ambitious sculptural undertaking. Both the
east and west ends of the building were filled with statues that were larger than life. A continuous frieze
(a sculpted band) ran for 525 feet around the top of the wall of the cella.
The ParthenonThe parade of riders is part of a relief that continues (as a frieze) around
the entire inner wall of the Parthenon. This is a detail of the larger piece.
432 BC, marble, 42” tall.
The ParthenonThe parade of riders is part of a relief that continues (as a frieze) around the entire inner wall of the Parthenon. This is a detail of the larger piece.
432 BC, marble, 42” tall.
The Partheno
nOuter frieze
The ParthenonEastern frieze
The Dying Gaul, c. 230-220 BCThis is a Roman marble copy of a Greek bronze. It is life-size and shows the struggle of a wounded man about to die. The figure is depicted as a real person with genuine feelings, not
as an idealized warrior hero.
The Dying Gaul, c. 230-220 BCThis is a Roman marble copy of a Greek bronze. It is life-size and shows the struggle of a wounded man about to die. The figure is depicted as a real person with genuine feelings, not
as an idealized warrior hero.
Nike of Samothrace c. 190 BC
Marble, 8’ tallOne of the greatest
Hellenistic sculptures: it is the symbol of
Winged Victory. The force of the wind whips the drapery into lively folds which follow the curves of anatomy.
The space around the female figure is
activated and is a dynamic part of the
composition.
Old Market Woman c. 2 BC
Marble, 50” tall
The artist’s interest is in
the realistic, pained portrayal of a tired and
burdened woman. It is not about
idealized beauty.
Painting on VasesBlack-figured Amphora, c.
530 BC
An amphora is a large storage jar with two handles
Early vases of the Archaic period are of red clay, with
black figures and decorations painted on them. These
illustrate events which may be real or mythical.
Later period vases feature white figures on black
backgrounds.
Painting on VasesBlack-figured Amphora, c.
530 BC
An amphora is a large storage jar with two handles
Early vases of the Archaic period are of red clay and
have black figures and decorations painted on them. These illustrate events which
may be real or mythical.
Later period vases feature white figures on black
backgrounds.
Greek Painting on Vases
White-figured Hydra, c. 410 BC
A hydra is a large jug intended for carrying water
from the community fountain. The handles are on the side, and have a different shape from the ear-like handles of
the amphora.
This shows a great change in technique and visual style.
The background is now painted black, and brush lines
can be drawn freely on the red figures to show detail.
The Battle of Issus, c. 100 BC, marble mosaic, 17’ wide
This is a Roman marble-chip mosaic copy of a Greek painting originating around 315 BC. Only four colors—red, yellow, white and black—are used in the mosaic. The anatomy is very accurate, as is
the lighting and overlapping placement of objects in space.
Greek ArchitectureOver time, Greek structures evolved from having a heavy
appearance to a light and airy feel. Architecture was focused around temples where ceremonies were held. The Greeks were very concerned with harmony and proportion. The Acropolis in
Athens contains several buildings in the later style.
ArchitectureDoric Order:
Heavy, sturdy columns with no base
Ionic Order:Classical style with slender columns,
fluted shafts, fancy scrolls at top
Corinthian Order:Classical style
featuring tall, slender columns topped by
fancy capitals decorated with plant
leaves.
Architecture
Corinthian Order
Architecture
Doric Order
Greek ArchitectureDoric Order
CaryatidA support or column in the form of a human figure, usually
female.