9.3 The emergence of the Classical style

The Classical style in Greek art emerged around 480 BCE, marking a shift from the Archaic period. This new aesthetic focused on idealized naturalism, balance, and harmony in depicting the human form and architecture.

Key features included the contrapposto stance in sculpture, refined architectural orders, and a greater emphasis on emotion and character. These changes reflected broader cultural shifts, including the rise of democracy and new philosophical ideas in Greek society.

Classical Style Characteristics

Defining Features and Aesthetic Principles

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• Focus on idealized naturalism, balance, and harmony in Greek art from around 480 BCE to the late 4th century BCE
• Naturalistic depiction of the human form with attention to anatomical details, proportions, and a sense of movement
• Contrapposto stance (weight shifted to one leg) creates a more natural and dynamic posture, becoming a hallmark of Classical sculpture
• Conveys a sense of ethos (character) and pathos (emotion) in works, imbuing them with psychological depth and realism
• Emphasizes the idealization of beauty, with figures often depicted as youthful, athletic, and aesthetically pleasing

Refinement in Classical Architecture

• Orders (Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian) further refined and standardized
• Focus on symmetry, proportion, and the harmonious relationship between the parts and the whole
• Achieves a greater sense of lightness, balance, and refinement in proportions and ornamentation compared to Archaic architecture

Classical vs Archaic Styles

Contrasting Approaches to the Human Form

• Archaic style (c. 700-480 BCE) characterized by a more rigid and stylized approach, while Classical style sought to capture a more naturalistic and idealized representation
• Archaic sculptures often depicted figures with static poses, angular features, and a characteristic "Archaic smile"
• Classical sculptures exhibited more dynamic poses, softened features, and a wider range of emotions

Differences in Drapery and Architecture

• Drapery in Archaic sculptures typically rendered in a more linear and patterned manner
• Classical sculptures depicted drapery more naturalistically, following the contours of the body and conveying a sense of movement
• Archaic architecture (early Doric temples) more massive and heavy in appearance
• Classical architecture achieved a greater sense of lightness, balance, and refinement in its proportions and ornamentation

Factors Influencing Classical Style

Historical and Cultural Context

• Persian Wars (490-479 BCE) and Greek victory led to a surge in Hellenic pride and confidence, finding expression in the development of the Classical style
• Increased wealth and prosperity of Greek city-states (particularly Athens) during the 5th century BCE provided financial resources and patronage for the flourishing of the arts

Philosophical and Intellectual Developments

• Ideas of Protagoras, Socrates, and Plato emphasized the importance of reason, balance, and harmony, reflected in the aesthetic principles of the Classical style
• Rise of democracy in Athens and other city-states fostered a greater sense of individualism and humanism
• More naturalistic and psychologically complex depictions of the human form in Classical art as a result of these developments

Classical Style and Greek Society

Relationship to Democracy and Politics

• Development of democracy in Athens and other city-states during the 5th century BCE led to a shift in the focus of art from the representation of gods and mythological figures to the celebration of human achievements and the ideals of the polis (city-state)
• Rebuilding of Athens and the construction of the Acropolis (particularly the Parthenon) following the Persian Wars served as a powerful symbol of Athenian democracy and the triumph of Greek culture, embodying the principles of the Classical style

Influence of the Delian League and Athenian Empire

• Delian League, led by Athens, and the subsequent Athenian Empire provided the political and economic context for the flourishing of the arts and the spread of the Classical style throughout the Greek world
• Peloponnesian War (431-404 BCE) between Athens and Sparta and the decline of Athenian power led to a shift in the artistic center of Greece
• Emergence of new regional variations of the Classical style, such as the Late Classical style associated with the sculptor Praxiteles