How to Teach Greek Art

Show students contemporary examples using elements of Greek art.

The proliferation of Greek art ranges from the Cycladic period, 3rd millennium B.C., to contemporary, 21st-century styles. With thousands of years of art to learn about, the variety of angles you can use to teach Greek art varies widely. Regardless of whether your class focuses on art created in antiquity, modern pieces or everything in between, there are methods, tools and activities to maximize your students' knowledge of the subject.

Instructions

1. Divide Greek art into major periods, styles or movements. Following these major styles and movements chronologically can help students understand how and why different styles were introduced.

2. Discuss the historical context of Greek art. Give students an introduction to the social, political and cultural world of the Greeks during the period of a given style or trend. Use a lecture style that encourages interaction by posing questions and supplementing with appropriate Internet resources.

3. Analyze several pieces that represent a given style. Ask students how a given piece manifests elements of its particular style. Ask students whether a building has Doric, Ionic or Corinthian columns, for instance. Have them discuss what characteristics of the building's columns led them to that conclusion.

4. Show examples of Greek art in contemporary styles and pieces. Linking a classic style with something the students are familiar with can strengthen their understanding and grasp of important concepts. It also gives them a new context in which to see Greek art. For example, have students discuss vessels and containers used in home and school and their similarities to Greek vessels, if you're studying vase art.

5. Visit museums with examples of Greek art, if possible. Looking at an actual object can be much more effective than a picture, because it becomes something tangible for students. Ask about special exhibitions and educational presentations a museum may offer. Otherwise, know which items will be on display ahead of time, and prepare questions and discussion starters for important pieces.

References

• The Metropolitan Museum of Art: Early Cycladic Art
• Learn North Carolina: Vessels in Greek Art- Museum Visit

Resources

• Art History Resources: Ancient Greek Art