8.1 Attic art

Attic art in ancient Greece was a game-changer. It gave us black-figure and red-figure vase painting, plus amazing sculptures that brought people to life. These techniques spread like wildfire, influencing art all over the Mediterranean.

Athenian artists were pushing boundaries left and right. They created new ways to show movement and emotion in their work. This laid the groundwork for the Classical period and shaped Western art for centuries to come.

Attic Black-Figure vs Red-Figure

Evolution of Vase Painting Techniques

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  Attic Black-Figure Neck Amphora (Getty Museum) View original

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  Attic Red-Figure Volute Krater (Getty Museum) View original

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  Attic Red-Figure Amphora (Getty Museum) View original

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  Attic Black-Figure Neck Amphora (Getty Museum) View original

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  Attic Red-Figure Volute Krater (Getty Museum) View original

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Top images from around the web for Evolution of Vase Painting Techniques

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  Attic Black-Figure Neck Amphora (Getty Museum) View original

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  Attic Red-Figure Volute Krater (Getty Museum) View original

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  Attic Red-Figure Amphora (Getty Museum) View original

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  Attic Black-Figure Neck Amphora (Getty Museum) View original

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  Attic Red-Figure Volute Krater (Getty Museum) View original

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• Attic black-figure vase painting emerged in Athens around 630 BCE, featuring black silhouetted figures against a red clay background, with incised details and added colors
• The black-figure technique involved applying a slip (liquid clay) to the surface of the vase, which turned black during firing, while the background remained the color of the clay
• Attic red-figure vase painting developed around 530 BCE, inverting the color scheme by leaving the figures in the color of the clay and painting the background black
  • The red-figure technique allowed for greater detail, anatomical accuracy, and a wider range of facial expressions and body positions compared to black-figure painting
  • The pioneer of the red-figure technique is thought to be the Andokides Painter, named after the potter Andokides

Iconography and Narrative in Vase Painting

• Both black-figure and red-figure vases often depicted mythological scenes (Trojan War, labors of Herakles), daily life (religious festivals, rituals), and athletic or military events, serving as important sources of iconography and storytelling
• Famous Attic vase painters include Exekias, known for his mastery of the black-figure technique (Achilles and Ajax playing dice), and the Berlin Painter, Kleophrades Painter, and Pan Painter, renowned for their red-figure works (Hermes bringing the infant Dionysos to Papposilenos)

Attic Art's Influence on Archaic Period

Sculpture and the Evolution of the Human Form

• Attic sculptors played a significant role in the development of the Archaic style, characterized by the transition from abstract to more naturalistic representations of the human form
• The Attic tradition of sculpture is exemplified by the Kouroi (male) and Korai (female) figures, which were freestanding, life-sized statues used as grave markers or dedications to deities
  • Kouroi figures were depicted nude, with a formulaic pose featuring a striding left leg, arms held straight at the sides, and a slight smile, known as the "Archaic smile" (Kroisos Kouros)
  • Korai figures were portrayed clothed, often in elaborate drapery, and sometimes holding offerings or attributes (Peplos Kore)
• Attic sculptors experimented with various materials, including marble (Phrasikleia Kore), limestone, and bronze (Piraeus Apollo), and contributed to the development of techniques such as the lost-wax method for bronze casting

Architecture and the Development of Classical Orders

• In architecture, the Attic style influenced the development of the Doric and Ionic orders, which were characterized by distinct column capitals, entablatures, and proportions
  • The Parthenon, built on the Athenian Acropolis in the 5th century BCE, is a prime example of the influence of Attic art on architecture, featuring sculptural decoration in both the Doric (metopes and triglyphs) and Ionic orders (continuous frieze)

Attic Workshops and Artistic Dissemination

Organization and Specialization of Labor

• Attic workshops, such as those of the Protoattic and Kerameikos potters' quarters in Athens, were centers of artistic production and innovation during the Archaic period
• These workshops brought together skilled artisans, including potters, painters, and sculptors, who collaborated to create high-quality works of art
• The organization of Attic workshops allowed for the specialization of labor, with different artisans focusing on specific stages of the production process, such as shaping the vase, applying the slip, and painting the decoration

Artistic Innovation and Iconographic Development

• Attic workshops played a crucial role in the development and refinement of artistic techniques, such as black-figure and red-figure vase painting, and the creation of new iconographic motifs and compositions (Dionysian scenes, symposia)
• The products of Attic workshops were widely exported throughout the Mediterranean world, contributing to the spread of Attic artistic styles and iconography to other regions and cultures
  • The popularity and influence of Attic vases can be seen in their imitation by local workshops in other Greek city-states and colonies (Corinth, Laconia), as well as in Etruria and other parts of the ancient world

Attic Art's Cultural Significance

Reinforcing Cultural Identity and Values

• Attic art, particularly vase painting and sculpture, played a vital role in the construction and expression of ancient Greek cultural identity
• The iconography and narratives depicted on Attic vases and sculptures often drew from Greek mythology, religion, and daily life, reinforcing shared cultural values and beliefs
  • Scenes from the Trojan War, the labors of Herakles, and the exploits of gods and heroes served to celebrate and perpetuate the Greek heroic tradition
  • Representations of religious festivals (Panathenaic procession), rituals, and processions highlighted the importance of religion and cult practices in ancient Greek society

Social Commentary and Artistic Legacy

• Attic art also served as a means of social and political commentary, with artists using their works to reflect on contemporary events, such as the Persian Wars (Battle of Marathon) or the rise of Athenian democracy
• The artistic innovations and styles developed in Attic workshops, such as the naturalistic representation of the human form and the use of foreshortening and perspective, set the stage for the Classical period of Greek art
• The influence of Attic art extended beyond the borders of ancient Greece, shaping the visual language and artistic traditions of other cultures, such as the Etruscans and Romans (Tivoli General), and leaving a lasting legacy on Western art