This document provides an overview of Greek art from the Geometric period through the Classical period. It discusses the evolution of representations of the human figure in art from early stylized forms to the naturalistic depictions of figures in contrapposto. Architectural developments are also summarized, including the elements of Doric and Ionic temples. Major artists and sculptors of the Archaic and Classical periods are mentioned, such as the Kritios Boy and works by Phidias and Polykleitos. Key monuments on the Acropolis, including the Parthenon, Erechtheion, and Temple of Athena Nike, are briefly described.

1. 1Gardner’s Art Through the Ages:The Western PerspectiveChapter 5Gods, Heroes, and Athletes:The Art of Ancient Greece

2. 2The Greek World

3. 3GoalsUnderstand the diverse cultural influences on Greek artistic development

4. Discuss the evolution of the human figure and how it is represented in Greek art

5. Relate the development of temple architecture

6. Cite architectural components and terminology

7. Understand the impact of the conquest of the Greeks on their respective art forms

8. Discuss individual artists and their respective styles4Geometric, Orientalizing, and Archaic ArtUnderstand the diverse cultural influences on Greek artistic development

9. Discuss the evolution of the human figure and how it is represented in Greek art

10. Relate the development of temple architecture

11. Cite architectural components and terminology5Greek Artistic DevelopmentUnderstand the diverse cultural influences on Greek artistic development.

12. Identify the artistic elements and influences in the Geometric and Orientalizing styles.6Figure 5.1 Geometric krater, from the Dipylon cemetery, Athens, Greece, ca. 740 BCE. Approx. 3’ 4 1/2” high. Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York.

13. 7

14. 8The Human Figure in Early Greek ArtDiscuss the evolution of the human figure and how it is represented in Greek art.

15. Examine Greek religion and mythology and its expression in art.9Figure 5.2 Hero and centaur (Herakles and Nessos?), ca. 750–730 BCE. Bronze, approx. 4 1/2” high. Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York.

16. 10Figure 5-3 Mantiklos Apollo, statuette of a youth dedicated by Mantiklos to Apollo, from Thebes, Greece, ca. 700–680 BCE. Bronze, approx. 8” high. Museum of Fine Arts, Boston.

17. 11Figure 5.4 Corinthian black-figure amphora with animal friezes, from Rhodes, Greece, ca. 625–600 BCE. Approx. 1’ 2” high. British Museum, London.

18. 12Figure 5-5 Plan of Temple A, Prinias (CRETE), Greece, ca. 625 BCE.

19. 13The Human Figure in Archaic ArtUnderstand the development and influences relating to the early Greek kouroi.

20. How is the Kroisos figure different from the other kouroi?14Figure 5-8Kouros, ca. 600 BCE. Marble, approx. 6’ 1/2” high. Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York.Figure 5-7 Lady of Auxerre, statue of a goddess or kore, ca. 650–625 BCE. Limestone, approx. 2’ 1 1/2” high. Louvre, Paris.

21. 15Figure 3-40 Mentuemhet, from Karnak, Egypt, Dynasty XXVI, ca. 650 BCE. Granite, approx. 4’ 5” high. Egyptian Museum, Cairo.Figure 5-8 Kouros, ca. 600 BCE. Marble, approx. 6’ 1/2” high. Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York.

22. 16Figure 5-10 Kroisos, from Anavysos, Greece, ca. 530 BCE. Marble, approx. 6’ 4” high. National Archaeological Museum, Athens.Figure 5-9 Calf Bearer (Moschophoros), dedicated by Rhonbos on the Acropolis, Athens, Greece, ca. 560 BCE. Marble, restored height approx. 5’ 5”. Acropolis Museum, Athens.

23. 17Figure 5-12 Kore, from the Acropolis, Athens, Greece, ca. 520–510 BCE. Marble, approx. 1’ 9 1/2” high. Acropolis Museum, Athens.Figure 5-11PeplosKore, from the Acropolis, Athens, Greece, ca. 530 BCE. Marble, approx. 4’ high. Acropolis Museum, Athens.

24. 18Greek Architectural DevelopmentExplore architectural basics in the Doris and Ionic temples.

25. Cite architectural components and terminology.19Figure 5-13 Temple of Hera I (“Basilica”), Paestum, Italy, ca. 550 BCE.Right: Plan of the Temple of Hera I, Paestum, Italy, ca. 550 BCE.

26. 20Figure 5-17 Gigantomachy, detail of the north frieze of the Siphnian Treasury, Delphi, Greece, ca. 530 BCE. Marble, approx. 2’ 1” high. Archaeological Museum, Delphi.

27. 21Early Classical PeriodDiscuss the evolution of the human figure and how it is represented in Greek art.

28. Discuss individual artists and their respective styles in Greek vase painting.

29. Examine the development of sculpture related to temple architecture. 22Greek Vase PaintingDiscuss the evolution of the human figure related to early Greek vase painting.

30. Know the different vase types, materials, and techniques.

31. Identify individual painters and potters who signed their vases. 23Figure 5-18 KLEITIAS and ERGOTIMOS, François Vase (Attic black-figure volute krater), from Chiusi, Italy, ca. 570 BCE. General view (left) and detail of centauromachy on other side of vase (right). Approx. 2’ 2” high. Museo Archeologico, Florence.

32. 24Figure 5-19 EXEKIAS, Achilles and Ajax playing a dice game (detail from an Attic black-figure amphora), from Vulci, Italy, ca. 540–530 BCE. Whole vessel approx. 2’ high. Vatican Museums, Rome.

33. 25Figure 5-20 ANDOKIDES PAINTER, Achilles and Ajax playing a dice game (Attic bilingual amphora), from Orvieto, Italy, ca. 525–520 BCE. Black-figure side (left) and red-figure side (right). Approx. 1’ 9” high. Museum of Fine Arts, Boston.

34. 26Figure 5-21 EUPHRONIOS, Herakles wrestling Antaios (detail of an Attic red-figure calyx krater), from Cerveteri, Italy, ca. 510 BCE. Whole vessel approx. 1’ 7” high. Louvre, Paris.

35. 27Figure 5-22 EUTHYMIDES, Three revelers (Attic red-figure amphora), from Vulci, Italy, ca. 510 BCE. Approx. 2’ high. Staatliche Antikensammlungen, Munich.

36. 28Figure 5-23 ONESIMOS, Girl preparing to bathe (interior of an Attic red-figure kylix), from Chiusi, Italy, ca. 490 BCE. Tondo approx. 6” in diameter. Musées Royaux, Brussels.

37. 29Early Classical Sculpture in TemplesExamine the development of sculpture related to temple architecture.

38. Compare early classical sculpture with sculpture of the high classical period.30Figure 5-24 Temple of Aphaia, Aegina, Greece, ca. 500–490 BCE.

39. 31Figure 5-25 Plan (left) and restored cutaway view (right) of the Temple of Aphaia, Aegina, Greece, ca. 500–490 BCE.

40. 32Figure 5-26 West pediment of the Temple of Aphaia, Aegina, Greece, ca. 500-490 BCE. Marble, approx. 5’ 8” high at center. Glyptothek, Munich.

41. 33High and Late ClassicalUnderstand the impact of the conquest of the Greeks on their respective art forms.

42. Examine the development – and perfection – of the human figure in sculpture.

43. Explore the Acropolis, its architecture and sculpture.

44. Understand changes in the art in the Late Classical period34Perfection in Sculptural FormUnderstand the concepts of contrapposto and the Polykleitos’ cannon, as well as Greek ideas of human bodily perfection.

45. Examine the art materials, techniques and individual artists that made the sculptural forms possible.35Figure 5-29 Temple of Hera II, Paestum, Italy, ca. 460 BCE.

46. 36Figure 5-32 Athena, Herakles, and Atlas with the apples of the Hesperides, metope from the Temple of Zeus, Olympia, Greece, ca. 470–456 BCE. Marble, approx. 5’ 3” high. Archaeological Museum, Olympia.

47. 37Figure 5-33Kritios Boy, from the Acropolis, Athens, Greece, ca. 480 BCE. Marble, approx. 2’ 10” high. Acropolis Museum, Athens.Figure 5-8Kouros, ca. 600 BCE. Marble, approx. 6’ 1/2” high. Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York.

48. 38Figure 5-34 Warrior, from the sea off Riace, Italy, ca. 460–450 BCE. Bronze, approx. 6’ 6” high. Archaeological Museum, Reggio Calabria.

49. 39Figure 5-35 Charioteer, from a group dedicated by Polyzalos of Gela in the Sanctuary of Apollo, Delphi, Greece, ca. 470 BCE. Bronze, approx. 5’ 11” high. Archaeological Museum, Delphi.

50. 40Figure 5-36 Zeus (or Poseidon?), from the sea off Cape Artemision, Greece, ca. 460–450 BCE. Bronze, approx. 6’ 10” high. National Archaeological Museum, Athens.

51. 41Figure 5-37 MYRON, Diskobolos (Discus Thrower). Roman marble copy after a bronze original of ca. 450 BCE, 5’ 1” high. Museo Nazionale Romano—Palazzo Massimo alle Terme.

52. 42Figure 5-38 POLYKLEITOS, Doryphoros (Spear Bearer). Roman marble copy from Pompeii, Italy, after a bronze original of ca. 450–440 BCE, 6’ 11” high. Museo Nazionale, Naples.

53. 43The Acropolis of PericlesExamine the architectural detail of the Parthenon, the Propylaia, and the Erechtheion.

54. Explore the sculpture of Phidias at the Acropolis.44Figure 5-40 Aerial view of the Acropolis, Athens, Greece.

55. 45Figure 5-41 Model of the Acropolis, Athens, Greece, 1. Panteon 2. Propylaia 3. Erechtheion 4. Temple of Athena Nike.

56. 46Figure 5-42 IKTINOS and KALLIKRATES, Parthenon, the Temple of Athena Parthenos (view from the northwest), Acropolis, Athens, Greece, 447–438 BCE.

57. 47Figure 5-43 Plan of the Parthenon, Acropolis, Athens, Greece, with diagram of sculptural program (after A. Stewart), 447–432 BCE.

58. 48Figure 5-44 PHIDIAS, Athena Parthenos, in the cella of the Parthenon, Acropolis, Athens, Greece, ca. 438 BCE. Model of the lost statue, which was approx. 38’ tall. Royal Ontario Museum, Toronto.

59. 49Figure 5-46 Helios and his horses, and Dionysos (Herakles?), from the east pediment of the Parthenon, Acropolis, Athens, Greece, ca. 438–432 BCE. Marble, greatest height approx. 4’ 3”. British Museum, London.

60. 50Figure 5-47 Three goddesses (Hestia, Dione, and Aphrodite?), from the east pediment of the Parthenon, Acropolis, Athens, Greece, ca. 438–432 BCE. Marble, greatest height approx. 4’ 5”. British Museum, London.

61. 51Figure 5-48 Details of the Panathenaic Festival procession frieze, from the Parthenon, Acropolis, Athens, Greece, ca. 447–438 BCE. Marble, approx. 3’ 6” high. Horsemen of north frieze (top), British Museum, London; Acropolis Museum, Athens; and elders and maidens of east frieze (bottom), Louvre, Paris.

62. 52Figure 5-50 Erechtheion (view from the southeast), Acropolis, Athens, Greece, ca. 421–405 BCE.

63. 53Figure 5-51 Plan of the Erechtheion, Acropolis, Athens, Greece, ca. 421–405 BCE.

64. 54Trivia Fact: The male counterpart of the caryatid figure is the Atlantid or Atlas figure.Figure 5-52 Caryatid from the south porch of the Erechtheion, Acropolis, Athens, Greece, ca. 421–405 BCE. Marble, 7’ 7” high. British Museum, London.

65. 55Figure 5-53 KALLIKRATES, Temple of Athena Nike (view from the northeast), Acropolis, Athens, Greece, ca. 427–424 BCE.

66. 56Figure 5-54 Nike adjusting her sandal, from the south side of the parapet of the Temple of Athena Nike, Acropolis, Athens, Greece, ca. 410 BCE. Marble, approx. 3’ 6” high. Acropolis Museum, Athens.

67. 57Figure 5-55 Grave stele of Hegeso, from the Dipylon cemetery, Athens, Greece, ca. 400 BCE. Marble, 5’ 2” high. National Archaeological Museum, Athens.

68. 58Late Classical Vases and PaintingExamine polychromy and white-ground vase painting.

69. Learn about Polygnotos, landscape painting, and mosaic copies of Greek painting.59Figure 5-57 NIOBID PAINTER, Artemis and Apollo slaying the children of Niobe (Attic red-figure calyx krater), from Orvieto, Italy, ca. 450 BCE. Approx. 1’ 9” high. Louvre, Paris.

70. 60Figure 5-59 Youth diving, painted ceiling of the Tomb of the Diver, Paestum, Italy, ca. 480 BCE. Approx. 3’ 4” high. Museo Archeologico Nazionale, Paestum.

71. 61Figure 5-60 PRAXITELES, Aphrodite of Knidos. Roman marble copy after an original of ca. 350–340 BCE. Approx. 6’ 8” high. Vatican Museums, Rome.

72. 62Figure 5-62 PRAXITELES, Hermes and the infant Dionysos, from the Temple of Hera, Olympia, Greece. Marble copy after an original of ca. 340 BCE, approx. 7’ 1” high. Archaeological Museum, Olympia.

73. 63Figure 5-64 Grave stele of a young hunter, found near the Ilissos River, Athens, Greece, ca. 340–330 BCE. Marble, approx. 5’ 6” high. National Archaeological Museum, Athens.

74. 64Figure 5-65 LYSIPPOS, Apoxyomenos (Scraper). Roman marble copy after a bronze original of ca. 330 BCE, approx. 6’ 9” high. Vatican Museums, Rome.

75. 65Figure 5-66 LYSIPPOS, Weary Herakles (Farnese Herakles). Roman marble copy from Rome, Italy, signed by GLYKON OF ATHENS, after a bronze original of ca. 320 BCE. Approx. 10 ‘ 5” high. Museo Nazionale, Naples.

76. 66Figure 5-67 Head of Alexander the Great, from Pella, Greece, ca. 200–150 BCE. Marble, approx. 1’ high. Archaeological Museum, Pella.

77. 67Figure 5-68 GNOSIS, Stag hunt, from Pella, Greece, ca. 300 BCE. Pebble mosaic, figural panel 10’ 2” high. Archaeological Museum, Pella.

78. 68Figure 5-69 PHILOXENOS OF ERETRIA, Battle of Issus, ca. 310 BCE. Roman copy (Alexander Mosaic) from the House of the Faun, Pompeii, Italy, late second or early first century BCE. Tessera mosaic, approx. 8’ 10” X 16’ 9”. Museo Nazionale, Naples.

79. 69Late Classical ArchitectureExplore the development of late classical architecture in the Greek theater, the Corinthian capital, and the tholos.70Hellenistic PeriodUnderstand the impact of the conquest of the Greeks on their respective art forms.

80. Relate the influence on Greek architecture as a result of the expansion of the Greek world.

81. Examine the elements of Hellenistic art in Greek sculpture.71Figure 5-74 PAIONIOS OF EPHESOS and DAPHNIS OF MILETOS, Temple of Apollo, Didyma, Turkey, begun 313 BCE

82. 72Architecture in the Hellenistic WorldRelate the influence on Greek architecture as a result of the expansion of the Greek world.