🏛️Arts of Classical Greece Unit 6 – Early Classical Greek Art (480-450 BCE)

Historical Context and Timeline

• Early Classical period (480-450 BCE) followed the Persian Wars, marked by a sense of triumph and renewed cultural confidence
• Athens emerged as a dominant political and cultural force, leading to the "Golden Age" of ancient Greece
• Transition from Archaic to Classical style reflected a shift towards naturalism, idealism, and a greater emphasis on the human form
• Pericles (495-429 BCE) led Athens during this period, overseeing major artistic and architectural projects (Parthenon)
• Greek city-states (poleis) competed with one another through artistic and architectural commissions, spurring innovation
• Increased wealth from the Delian League enabled Athens to invest heavily in public works and monuments
• Artistic developments paralleled advancements in philosophy, literature, and drama (Socrates, Sophocles, Euripides)

Key Characteristics of Early Classical Greek Art

• Emphasis on idealized human forms, depicting figures in a naturalistic and anatomically accurate manner
• Contrapposto stance introduced, where the weight is shifted onto one leg, creating a more dynamic and lifelike pose
• Facial expressions became more serene and emotionally restrained compared to the Archaic period
• Drapery rendered in a more fluid and naturalistic manner, accentuating the underlying bodily forms
• Increased attention to proportion, symmetry, and balance in both sculpture and architecture
• Architectural orders (Doric, Ionic, Corinthian) further refined and standardized
  • Doric order characterized by simplicity, strength, and lack of a base
  • Ionic order featured scrolled capitals and a more slender, elegant appearance
  • Corinthian order, although less common, displayed ornate floral capitals
• Sculptures often depicted mythological figures, athletes, and deities as embodiments of ideal beauty and virtue

Major Artistic Innovations

• Introduction of the bronze casting technique, allowing for larger and more complex sculptures
  • Lost-wax method enabled the creation of hollow bronze figures
  • Bronze allowed for greater detail, texture, and a wider range of poses compared to marble
• Development of the contrapposto stance revolutionized the depiction of the human form
• Exploration of three-dimensional space and depth in relief sculptures (Parthenon frieze)
• Refinement of the canon of proportions, establishing ideal ratios for the human body
  • Polykleitos' treatise "Canon" codified the ideal proportions of the male figure
• Experimentation with different materials, such as chryselephantine sculpture (gold and ivory)
• Advancements in architectural design, including the use of optical illusions to correct visual distortions (entasis)
• Introduction of the Corinthian capital, featuring ornate floral and acanthus leaf designs

Influential Artists and Sculptors

• Myron (active 480-440 BCE)
  • Known for his bronze sculptures capturing athletes in motion (Discobolus)
  • Pioneered the use of the contrapposto stance in his works
• Phidias (c. 480-430 BCE)
  • Oversaw the sculptural program of the Parthenon and created its cult statue of Athena Parthenos
  • Renowned for his colossal chryselephantine statues of Zeus at Olympia and Athena Parthenos
• Polykleitos (c. 450-420 BCE)
  • Developed the canon of proportions for the idealized male figure (Doryphoros)
  • Known for his bronze sculptures of athletes and warriors
• Kresilas (active 450-420 BCE)
  • Created the renowned portrait of Pericles, capturing his idealized features and resolute expression
• Alkamenes (active 450-420 BCE)
  • Sculpted the famous Aphrodite of the Gardens, depicting the goddess in a graceful and sensual pose

Notable Works and Monuments

• Parthenon (447-432 BCE)
  • Iconic temple dedicated to Athena Parthenos on the Athenian Acropolis
  • Designed by architects Ictinus and Callicrates, with sculptural decoration overseen by Phidias
  • Featured elaborate sculptural programs, including the Parthenon frieze depicting the Panathenaic procession
• Discobolus (Discus Thrower) by Myron (c. 450 BCE)
  • Bronze sculpture capturing an athlete in the moment of throwing a discus
  • Exemplifies the use of contrapposto and the depiction of the human form in motion
• Riace Warriors (c. 460-450 BCE)
  • Two life-size bronze statues of Greek warriors, discovered off the coast of Riace, Italy
  • Showcase the mastery of bronze casting and the idealized representation of the male form
• Temple of Zeus at Olympia (c. 460 BCE)
  • One of the largest Doric temples in Greece, housing Phidias' colossal chryselephantine statue of Zeus
  • Featured metopes depicting the Twelve Labors of Heracles
• Doryphoros (Spear-Bearer) by Polykleitos (c. 440 BCE)
  • Marble sculpture embodying Polykleitos' canon of proportions for the idealized male figure
  • Demonstrates the contrapposto stance and the balance between relaxation and tension in the body

Materials and Techniques

• Marble
  • Preferred medium for large-scale sculptures and architectural elements
  • Pentelic and Parian marbles prized for their quality, translucency, and ability to hold fine details
  • Subtractive process, involving carving and chiseling to reveal the desired form
• Bronze
  • Used for smaller-scale sculptures, especially those depicting athletes or warriors
  • Created using the lost-wax casting method, allowing for hollow and lightweight figures
  • Enabled a greater range of poses and more dynamic compositions compared to marble
• Chryselephantine
  • Technique combining gold and ivory to create luxurious and awe-inspiring statues
  • Wooden core covered with thin sheets of ivory for flesh and gold for drapery, hair, and accessories
  • Reserved for the most important cult statues, such as Phidias' Athena Parthenos and Zeus at Olympia
• Paint
  • Sculptures and architectural elements were often painted in vibrant colors
  • Enhances the visual impact and realism of the works
  • Pigments derived from natural sources (minerals, plants, and insects)
• Clay
  • Used for smaller-scale figurines, votive offerings, and architectural decorations (antefixes)
  • Terracotta figures created using molds or hand-modeling, then fired in kilns
• Stone carving tools
  • Chisels, points, and abrasives used to shape and refine marble sculptures
  • Gradual process, starting with rough shaping and progressing to fine details and polishing

Symbolism and Themes

• Idealization of the human form as a reflection of divine beauty and virtue
  • Sculptures depicted gods, heroes, and athletes as embodiments of physical and moral perfection
  • Idealized proportions and features conveyed a sense of harmony, balance, and ethical superiority
• Mythology and religion
  • Sculptures and architectural decoration often depicted scenes from Greek mythology and religious narratives
  • Parthenon frieze illustrates the Panathenaic procession, a festival honoring Athena
  • Metopes and pediments of temples featured mythological battles (Centauromachy, Gigantomachy)
• Athleticism and the celebration of the human body
  • Sculptures of athletes (Discobolus, Riace Warriors) glorified physical prowess and the ideal of the well-rounded individual (kalos kagathos)
  • Athletic competitions (Olympic Games) were seen as a means of honoring the gods and achieving immortal fame
• Civic pride and identity
  • Public monuments and sculptures served as expressions of a city's wealth, power, and cultural achievements
  • Parthenon and other Acropolis monuments symbolized Athens' political and cultural dominance
  • Sculptural programs often depicted local myths, heroes, and historical events, reinforcing a sense of shared identity
• Harmony and balance
  • Sculptures and architecture sought to embody the Greek ideals of harmony, proportion, and symmetry
  • Contrapposto and the canon of proportions reflected a desire for balance and equilibrium in art and life
  • Architectural orders and the use of mathematical ratios (golden ratio) exemplified a quest for visual harmony

Legacy and Influence

• Set the foundation for the development of Western art and aesthetics
  • Established the idealized human form as a central subject in art
  • Influenced the art and architecture of ancient Rome, the Renaissance, and beyond
• Contrapposto and the canon of proportions became fundamental principles in figurative art
  • Adopted and adapted by artists throughout history (Michelangelo, Bernini, Canova)
  • Continues to shape contemporary understanding of the human form in art
• Greek mythology and iconography became a rich source of inspiration for later artists
  • Renaissance artists (Botticelli, Titian) frequently depicted Greek mythological themes
  • Neoclassical artists (David, Ingres) drew upon the ideals and aesthetics of Classical Greek art
• Architectural orders and principles influenced the design of public buildings and monuments
  • Roman architecture heavily borrowed from Greek models, spreading their influence throughout the empire
  • Neoclassical architecture (18th-19th centuries) revived Greek forms and proportions (US Capitol, British Museum)
• Excavations and rediscoveries of Greek art fueled the growth of archaeology and art history
  • 18th-century excavations (Pompeii, Herculaneum) sparked a renewed interest in Classical antiquity
  • Elgin Marbles and other Greek sculptures became centerpieces of major museum collections (British Museum, Louvre)
• Continues to shape the visual language and aesthetic preferences of Western culture
  • Advertising, film, and popular media frequently reference and adapt Classical Greek art
  • Enduring fascination with the beauty, harmony, and timeless appeal of Early Classical Greek art