2.3 Emergence of naturalism and idealism in Greek art

Greek art in the Classical period saw a shift towards naturalism and idealism. Artists like Polykleitos created systems of ideal proportions, aiming to capture perfect beauty in sculpture. This approach reflected the Greek belief in harmony and order in the universe.

At the same time, sculptors like Myron began portraying movement and emotion in their works. This innovation brought life and dynamism to Greek art, paving the way for more expressive and individualistic styles in later periods.

The Classical Ideal in Sculpture

Polykleitos and the Canon of Proportions

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• Polykleitos, a Greek sculptor active in the 5th century BCE, developed a system of ideal proportions for the human body known as the Canon of Proportions
• The Canon of Proportions established a set of mathematical ratios and relationships between various parts of the body to create a harmonious and balanced figure
• Polykleitos' treatise on the Canon of Proportions, though lost, influenced the work of many later artists and became a cornerstone of Classical Greek sculpture
• The Doryphoros (Spear-Bearer), a bronze sculpture created by Polykleitos around 440 BCE, is considered the embodiment of the Canon of Proportions
  • The Doryphoros depicts a young male athlete standing in a contrapposto pose, with his weight shifted onto one leg
  • The figure's proportions adhere to Polykleitos' Canon, creating a sense of balance, symmetry, and idealized beauty

Idealized Beauty and Mathematical Harmony

• Classical Greek sculpture sought to capture an idealized form of beauty based on mathematical proportions and harmonious relationships between body parts
• Sculptors aimed to create figures that embodied physical perfection, youth, and athletic prowess, rather than depicting specific individuals or realistic imperfections
• The use of mathematical ratios and proportions in sculpture was believed to reflect the underlying order and harmony of the universe
• This idealized beauty was not only aesthetically pleasing but also carried moral and philosophical connotations, as physical perfection was often associated with inner virtue and nobility

Capturing Movement and Emotion

Myron's Discobolus and the Portrayal of Movement

• Myron, a Greek sculptor from the mid-5th century BCE, is renowned for his ability to capture a sense of movement and dynamism in his sculptures
• Myron's most famous work, the Discobolus (Discus Thrower), depicts an athlete frozen in the moment just before releasing the discus
  • The figure's twisted pose, with the torso and limbs creating a sense of tension and energy, conveys the explosive movement of the athlete
  • The Discobolus exemplifies the Greek artists' increasing interest in portraying the human body in motion and capturing transient moments
• Myron's innovative approach to representing movement influenced later sculptors and marked a departure from the more static poses of earlier Greek sculpture

Emotional Expression in Classical Sculpture

• In addition to capturing physical movement, Classical Greek sculptors began to explore the portrayal of emotion and inner states in their works
• While the idealized beauty and proportions remained important, artists increasingly sought to convey a sense of life and character in their figures
• Subtle details in facial expressions, body language, and posture were used to suggest emotional states and create a more engaging and relatable experience for the viewer
• This development laid the foundation for the increased emphasis on emotion and individuality in later Hellenistic sculpture

Masterpieces of Pheidias

Pheidias and the Athena Parthenos

• Pheidias, considered one of the greatest sculptors of Classical Greece, was active in the mid-5th century BCE and is known for his monumental works
• Pheidias' most famous sculpture was the Athena Parthenos, a colossal gold and ivory statue of the goddess Athena that stood inside the Parthenon in Athens
  • The Athena Parthenos, standing approximately 11.5 meters (38 feet) tall, depicted the goddess in full armor, holding a Nike (goddess of victory) in her right hand and a shield in her left
  • The statue was adorned with intricate details and precious materials, showcasing Pheidias' mastery of the chryselephantine technique (combining gold and ivory)
• Although the original Athena Parthenos is lost, ancient descriptions and smaller-scale copies provide insight into its grandeur and impact on viewers
• Pheidias' works, including the Athena Parthenos and the sculptures of the Parthenon, set new standards for monumental sculpture and became emblematic of the Classical style

Innovations in Pottery

The Red-Figure Technique

• The red-figure pottery technique, developed in Athens around 530 BCE, revolutionized the decoration of Greek vases and became the dominant style throughout the Classical period
• In the red-figure technique, the background is painted black while the figures are left in the natural color of the clay, allowing for greater detail and expressiveness in the designs
  • Artists used a fine brush to add intricate details, such as facial features, drapery, and musculature, to the red-clay figures
  • The black background provided a stark contrast, making the red figures appear more vivid and prominent
• The red-figure technique allowed for more complex compositions, narrative scenes, and a wider range of subject matter compared to the earlier black-figure style
• Notable red-figure vase painters, such as the Berlin Painter and the Achilles Painter, created masterpieces that showcase the technique's potential for artistic expression and storytelling
• The adoption of the red-figure technique coincided with the rise of the Classical style in sculpture and architecture, reflecting a broader shift towards naturalism, elegance, and refinement in Greek art