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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
Ancient Greek Architecture ::
Small Greek Temple Floor Plan
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Ancient Greek Architecture ::
Greek Carved Design (Key Pattern)
Ancient Greek Architecture ::
Egg and Tongue MouldingAncient Greek Architecture ::
Leaf and Tongue Moulding
Ancient Greek Architecture ::
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.