Ancient Greek Art and Architecture

Posted on Oct 18, 2024 in History

General Historical Context: Ancient Greece

Hellas

Ancient Greece, also known as Hellas, was a collection of independent city-states (poleis) rather than a unified country. These city-states shared a common culture and territory, encompassing the coasts of Turkey, parts of the Black Sea, Southern Italy, Sicily, and Southern Spain.

Major Greek Cities

Some of the most prominent Greek city-states included Sparta, Athens, Corinth, Thebes, Miletus, and Olympia.

Historical Phases

  • Minoan Civilization (2500-1500 BC)
  • Mycenaean Civilization (2000-1150 BC)
  • Greek Dark Ages (1150-776 BC)
  • Archaic Period (776-480 BC)
  • Classical Period (480-336 BC)
  • Hellenistic Period (336-146 BC)

Classical Period (480-336 BC)

This period marked the peak of artistic and cultural flourishing in ancient Greece, particularly in Athens. Athenian democracy, based on the equality of citizens and rule by the assembly, thrived during this time. Sculptors achieved mastery of their craft, creating lifelike and idealized representations of the human form. They emphasized balanced bodies, serene expressions, and the harmony of physical and spiritual beauty. There was a growing focus on volume and three-dimensionality in sculpture.

Archaic Era

Sculptures from this period were primarily made of stone and served funerary or religious purposes. They featured stylized almond-shaped eyes, geometric hairstyles, hieratic expressions, and a strict frontal pose.

The Parthenon

The Parthenon, a temple dedicated to the goddess Athena, stands as the most important religious and cultural monument of ancient Greek architecture. Its construction began in 447 BC under the leadership of Pericles and was overseen by the architects Iktinos and Callicrates. Located on the Acropolis, the Parthenon was built in the Doric order, known for its simplicity and robustness. The temple features eight columns on the shorter sides and seventeen on the longer sides. Its rectangular floor plan (69.5 x 30.88 meters) is divided into two main sections: the naos (inner chamber) and the opisthodomos (rear chamber). The Parthenon’s columns, supporting the temple’s roof, exemplify the principles of trabeated architecture, where vertical elements (columns) support horizontal elements (entablature). Doors and windows are framed by similar elements, creating a sense of unity and harmony.

Dedication and Symbolism

The Parthenon was dedicated to Athena Parthenos, the virgin goddess of wisdom, warfare, and crafts. Athena, daughter of Zeus, represented intelligent warfare and reason. The temple’s sculptures depicted scenes from Greek mythology, including the birth of Athena and the battle between the gods and the giants.

Later History

The Parthenon’s history reflects the transformations and turmoil that befell ancient Greece. It served as a church during the Byzantine period and a mosque under Ottoman rule. In 1687, a Venetian bombardment caused significant damage to the structure. Today, the Parthenon remains a powerful symbol of ancient Greek civilization and architectural genius.

Greek Art in the First Millennium BC

During the first millennium BC, the center of artistic creativity shifted towards the eastern Mediterranean, influenced by the rise of civilizations like the Etruscans and the Persians. Classical Greek art was characterized by:

  • Anthropocentrism: A focus on human beings and their experiences.
  • The Polis: The city-state as the central political unit.
  • Political Ideals: Democracy and oligarchy as dominant forms of government.
  • Rationalism: Emphasis on reason and logic.
  • Mythology: Myths and legends played a central role in art and literature.

Greek Sculpture

Relatively few original Greek sculptures have survived, primarily due to the use of perishable materials like wood, gold, ivory, and bronze. Much of our knowledge comes from Roman copies.

Overview

  • Beauty and Balance: Greek sculpture emphasized physical and spiritual beauty, striving for harmony and balance in the human form.
  • Expression and Movement: Sculptors sought to capture emotions and the illusion of movement in their works.
  • Volume: Three-dimensionality and volume were central to Greek sculpture.
  • Materials: Sculptors worked with various materials, including stone, marble, bronze, terracotta, and wood.
  • Composition: Sculptures were often integrated into architectural settings, creating dynamic compositions.
  • Light and Color: Light and color played an important role in enhancing the expressiveness of sculptures.
  • Themes: Mythology and religion provided the primary themes for Greek sculpture, but portraiture and funerary art also flourished.

Evolution of Greek Sculpture

  • Archaic Period: Characterized by rigid poses, stylized features, and a focus on frontal views.
  • Classical Period: Marked by the achievement of idealized naturalism, anatomical accuracy, and the expression of emotion.
  • Hellenistic Period: A period of experimentation with new styles, including dramatic poses, intense emotions, and a greater interest in realism.

Greek Architecture

General Characteristics

  • Trabeated Architecture: Greek architecture relied on the post-and-lintel system, where vertical columns support horizontal beams (entablature).
  • Materials: Stone, particularly marble, was the primary building material.
  • Harmony and Proportion: Greek architects sought to create harmonious and visually balanced structures through the use of mathematical proportions and the repetition of elements.
  • Architectural Orders: Three distinct architectural orders emerged: Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian, each with its own characteristic column design and entablature.

The Architectural Orders

Greek architecture placed less emphasis on interior spaces and more on the exterior appearance of buildings. The most important buildings were characterized by simplicity and harmony. The exterior was often adorned with sculptures and decorative elements. This harmony was achieved through the systematic repetition of architectural elements, such as columns and entablatures. The three main architectural orders are distinguished by the design of their columns, capitals, and entablatures:

  • Doric Order: The oldest and simplest order, characterized by sturdy columns with no base and a plain capital.
  • Ionic Order: More slender and elegant than the Doric order, with columns featuring a base and a capital adorned with volutes (scroll-like ornaments).
  • Corinthian Order: The most ornate order, with columns featuring a base and a capital decorated with acanthus leaves.