Facts on Greek Art

Greek statue

Greece has a long, extensive history, and was a civilization that once dominated much of the known world. With every large and powerful civilization there comes a complex culture. Greece was considered one of the most sophisticated cultures to have ever existed, making it no surprise that Greek artists hold a place in history for producing some of the most beautiful and elegant art in history.

Archaic Art

During one the very early periods of Greece’s history, also known as the Archaic Period, sculpture was the primary medium. Egyptian influence played an important role in early Greek art, which can be seen from the tension within movements of statues, which was common in Egyptian art. Middle Eastern influences can be seen in the draped female sculptures. Some of the earliest paintings, usually vase paintings, evolved during the later Archaic period. Some of the most famous vase painters included Euthymides and Euphronius.

Early Classical Art

The early classical period of Greek history was from 480 to 450 B.C.E. The temple of Zeus, located at Olympia, holds the greatest example of early classical Greek art. The art focused more on abstraction of human figures and further aesthetic expression. The most famous surviving pieces are the “Charioteer,” which as of 2010 is located in the Delphi Museum, and the “Zeus,” which is located in Athens.

Golden Age Art

The center of the classical period was also known as “The Golden Age.” This was due to the rapid influx of intellectual thoughts that were present throughout Greece during this time. This period took place from 450 to 400 B.C.E. and included philosophical works by scholars such as Sophocles and Socrates. The art matched the intellectual work and dictated a representation of the character of humans, expressing the ethics and divinity of the culture. The Acropolis and the Parthenon are some of the most well-known examples of art from the Golden Age.

Late Classical Period

The late classical period of art showed a shift toward expression of emotion. This period lasted for roughly a hundred years, from 400 to 300 B.C.E., and many works of art were created that focused on individualization and the emotions that accompanied it. Little is known about many of the artists during this period, which included sculptors such as Myron, Timotheus and Polygnotus.

Hellenistic Art

The Hellenistic era brought forth perhaps Greece’s most famous citizen: Alexander the Great. During this period, art shifted toward newly founded cities, such as Alexandria, as opposed to Athens. Many famous works were produced during this period, including “Nike of Samothrace,” the "Pergamum Frieze” and “Aphrodite of Melos.” Much of the art focused on spatial illusionism as opposed to the subject within the art.

References

• Encyclopedia: Greek Art
• Ancient Greece: Art
• Greek Landscapes: Greek Art The Hellenistic Period