Classical Greece emphasized simplicity, balance, symmetry, and restraint in their art and literature. They defined the good life through seeking perfection, moderation in all things, and control over chaos. These values were expressed in sculptures like the Kritios Boy and Michelangelo's David through their idealized forms, balanced proportions, and restrained poses.

1. Classical Greece

2. Classical Greece
• The meaning of Classic:
• Classic= best, preeminent, set the standard for the
arts
• Classic= having permanent and recognized
significance
• Classic= body of specific aesthetic principles
expressed through art and literature, studied and
imitated in Western Culture
– emphasized
simplicity, balance, symmetry, restraint
– search for perfection, the ideal form

3. The Good Life
• How did the Geeks define the good life?
• The search for the ideal
• The search for perfection
• Moderation in all things
• Order, harmony, proportion, balance, restraint
• Control over the chaos

4. How were these values expressed in sculpture?
Kritios Boy David

5. Sources
• Kritios Boy, proteus.brown.edu, accessed
10/17/2011.
• Michelangelo’s David in the Tribuna within
Accademia Gallery in Florence, Italy Photo by:
Rico Heil, Creative Commons, accessed
10/17/2011.