Art of Ancient Greece

The Art of Ancient Greece
Prepared for Art History Survey I

The Greek "bronze age" is the time that Homer described, immortalizing the Greek heros, gods and goddesses.The time period is approximately 1000 bce, through the "Archaic" period and up to about 600 bce. The Greek 'classical period' is dated to approximately 380 bce, and is followed by the 'hellenistic era,' up to the conquering by the Romans.


Bronze Statuette, c.700-675 bce Height - 8". Engraved on the legs is this statment: "Mantikos offers me as a tithe to Apollo of the silver bow; Phoebus (Apollo) give me some pleasing favor in return."	Bronze horse from the 8th Century, bce. Height - 7". Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York	Bronze "warrior" from northern Greece. Across his back is shield. Note the thin bound waist, typical of the Minoan statues, on both human figures.


Bronze statuette of a man carrying a ram on his shoulders. From Crete, late 7th Century bce.	Bronze "Centaur and Man," c.750 bce, height 4 1/4". Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York	"Kneeling Youth" is an ivory carved figure from Stamos, late 7th Century, bce.

When the art of ancient Greece is mentioned, it is usually the sculpture that comes to mind...Greek sculpture begins in the Archaic period and shows influence from the Egyptians in the stiff poses with arms at the sides and one foot slightly forward; from the Assyrians in the stylized hair; from the Minoans in the garments; and even from the Etruscans in facial features and the 'famous' archaic smile. However, by the time of the Classical Period, the statues are distinctively Greek, with all the classical and formal qualities that define ideal Greek art.


"Kouros" (a young man), c.600 bce, is carved from marble and is 6'4" in height. See Page 106, Gardner text. Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York	Detail showing the back of the "Kouros" head. Note the small round balls to indicate curly hair, similar to Assyrian works.	"Peplos Kore" is from the Acropolis, Athens, c.530 bce. The figure is marble, 48" in height, and shows traces of paint in her garment, hair and face. Acropolis Museum, Athens


"Kroisos" from a cemetary near Athens, c.625 bce, shows traces of paint in the marble statue. The figure is 6'4" in height. On the base is an inscription that reads: "Stop and grieve at the tomb of the dead Kroisos slain by wild Ares in the front rank of the battle." See page 107, Gardner text.	"Kore" from Chios, c.520 bce is carved in marble and is 27 1/2" in height. The Greek trend toward increasing life-like depiction is seen in these three figures, although they still bear oriental and other influences. Acropolis Museum, Athens

Page Updated 8/27/08

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