20 Chapter 5.3: Greek Art: Archaic Architectural Sculpture, Classical Statuary, and Classical Architecture

ARCHAIC ARCHITECTURAL SCULPTURE

The video on the basics of Greek architecture introduced the places on Greek temples that were decorated with sculpture: the pediment and frieze. Scenes from myth and legend were the most common subjects displayed on temples and these scenes often provided a connection with the location of the temple. Similar to the proportions of Greek temples, which evolved during the Archaic period, so too did the sculptural decoration.

Artstor Gallery for UNO Students

Here is a link to an Artstor gallery of Greek Architectural Sculpture.  This is only available to UNO Students.  If you are off-campus, you’ll need to log in. For a refresher, visit the UNO Libraries Libguide for using Artstor.

Archaic Architectural Sculpture TASK 1:  

Watch the video below and respond to the prompts.

Ancient Greek Art: The Pediment from the Temple of Artemis at Corcyra 

Archaic Architectural Sculpture TASK 1 prompts:

What are the challenges with the space of the pediment?

Despite defying the myth, what was the significance of the central narrative?

What makes the overall subject matter not coherent?

What issues with proportions exist among the content of the pediment?

What are the Archaic features of the sculptures?

Archaic Architectural Sculpture TASK 2:  

Watch the video below and respond to the prompts.

Ancient Greek Art: The pediments of the Temple of Aphaia at Aegina 

Archaic Architectural Sculpture TASK 2 prompts:  

What solution to the problem of placing sculpture in temple pediments did this introduce?

From which periods do the east and west pediment date?

Compare and contrast the Archaic and Classical features of the dying warriors from each pediment.

What was the significance of the subject matter for the location of the temple?

How did the Greeks show themselves as superior in the forms of the archers?

CLASSICAL STATUARY

During the Archaic period artist produced thousands of freestanding sculptures that were used as votive offerings and grave markers and more. As the Archaic progressed, the figures became increasingly lifelike, yet still locked in the stiff pose reminiscent of Egyptian statues. In the Classical period new poses heightened the sense of naturalism, breaking completely from Egyptian influence.

Artstor Gallery for UNO Students

Here is a link to an Artstor gallery of Classical Greek statuary.  This is only available to UNO Students.  If you are off-campus, you’ll need to log in. For a refresher, visit the UNO Libraries Libguide for using Artstor.

Classical Statuary TASK 1

It is difficult to define when one period has ended and another begun, but in the case of Greek sculpture, there is a clear marker of the onset of Classical art: the contrapposto pose. The Kritios Boy commenced a new era in the style of ancient Greek art. After watching the video, please answer the accompanying questions.

Kritios Boy

Classical Statuary TASK 1 prompts:

To what extent does this statue resemble Archaic Kouros figures?

How is it different than these figures?

What new development appears in the pose of this figure?

What aspects seem to come from sculptures in bronze?

How do artistic developments relate to historical events?

Classical Statuary TASK 2

One of the greatest sculptors of the Classical era, Polykleitos presented a version of the ideal human male, which survives in numerous Roman copies. After watching the video below, please answer the accompanying questions.

Ancient Greek Art: Doryphoros

Classical Statuary TASK 2 prompts: 

List the innovations ascribed to Polykleitos in this video.

Classical Statuary TASK 3

Classical sculptures have a very recognizable, distinctive look to them. Using the example of the Grave Stele of Hegeso, this video identifies the broad characteristics of Classical art. After watching the video below, please answer the accompanying questions.

Classicism 1: Classical Greek Art

Identify the three traits of Greek Classical art and provide a passage in the artwork examined that corresponds to each.

Classical Statuary TASK 3 prompts: 

What is taking place in the scene?

Even though a grave marker, why would this not have provoked sorrow in the onlooker?

Classical Statuary TASK 4

One of the most famous statues of the female goddess Aphrodite is the Aphrodite of Knidos. The video below explains for whom it was made, its characteristics, and interpretations. After watching the video, please answer the accompanying questions.

Aphrodite of Knidos

Classical Statuary TASK 4 prompts:

What is the significance of this work?

Who is the artist and how did he come to create this statue?

Where and how was the work displayed in antiquity?

What moment might be portrayed (there are different interpretations)?

What are the characteristics of Knidia (the numerous copies inspired by the original)?

How does the narrator characterize Roman copies of Greek originals?

CLASSICAL ARCHITECTURE: THE ACROPOLIS

Athens became the preeminent city state after the Persian war. Under the leadership of the statesman Pericles one of the greatest building campaigns of all times commenced on the Athenian Acropolis. Pericles used the buildings and the sculptural decoration of the Athenian Acropolis to announce the power and superiority of Athens and its citizens. The videos in this section explore two of the most significant temples built on the Acropolis: the Parthenon and Erechtheion.

Artstor Gallery for UNO Students

Here is a link to an Artstor gallery of Classical Greek architecture.  This is only available to UNO Students.  If you are off-campus, you’ll need to log in. For a refresher, visit the UNO Libraries Libguide for using Artstor.

Classical Architecture TASK 1

The largest building on the Acropolis, the Parthenon was dedicated to the patron goddess of the city, Athena. Since its construction in the mid-5th century BCE, the Parthenon has arguably become the most influential building in world architecture. After watching the video below, please answer the accompany questions

Parthenon (Acropolis)

Classical Architecture TASK 1 prompts:

The structure is described as having Doric and Ionic elements. Which features belong to which order?

What are the themes of the Parthenon sculpture and how do they relate to the history of the site?

How was the Parthenon financed?

Why is it referred to as a treasury?

What are the irregular features of the horizontal and vertical elements and why were they planned?

What is the mathematical formula used throughout?

Classical Architecture TASK 2

The Parthenon was not the only temple to Athena on the Acropolis. The Erechtheion was dedicated to her role as protector and contained within it several sites sacred to the Athenians. The video explores its highly irregular design that had to incorporate several sacred sites and fit in a narrow space. After watching the video, please answer the accompanying questions.

The Erectheion

Classical Architecture TASK 2 prompts:

What order is this and where is this order evident?

What sacred object was housed here?

What sacred sites did this incorporate?

Why was the location a challenge?

How was continuity achieved despite the differing ground levels?

How did the architects create symmetry between the north and south and the east and west sides?

What are the classical features of the caryatids?

CLASSICAL ARCHITECTURAL SCULPTURE

Along with the cult statue of the deity in the cella, Greek temples were adorned with sculpture on the exterior. The standard places for sculpture were the pediments and the frieze. In the Doric order, which consisted of a triglyph/metope frieze the decoration was on the metopes (square panels between the triglyphs). The Ionic order featured a continuous frieze (uninterrupted by triglyphs). This section examines the sculptural program of the Parthenon, which like the building itself, was the pinnacle of the High Classical period. The videos consider the style and composition of the sculpture as well as the connection between the subject matter and its relevance to Athens.

East Pediment TASK 1

After watching the video below, please respond to the accompanying questions.

Ancient Greek Art: Parthenon East Pediment

East Pediment TASK 1 prompts:

What story is told?

Despite inability to identify gods with great certainty what a new theory put forward regarding how the figures are grouped?

According to that theory what journey takes place and what is the significance of Athena in that journey?

What innovative way of filling corners in seen here and how does it differ from earlier pediments?

What are some of the notable aspects of the depiction of the figures?

West Pediment TASK 2

After watching the video below, please respond to the accompanying questions.

Ancient Greek Art: Parthenon West Pediment

West Pediment TASK 2 prompts:

What story informs the West Pediment?

How is Poseidon still honored here?

Which figures surround the central narrative (in general)?

What changes take place as we move from the central scene to the outer corners?

How is the scene geographically linked to Athens?

Metopes TASK 3

After watching the video below, please respond to the accompanying questions.

Ancient Greek Art: Parthenon Metopes

Metopes TASK 3 prompts:

What subjects are featured on the metopes and what general reference do they make?

Why is the number of metopes astounding?

What explains the inconsistencies in style and composition among the metopes?

What characteristics did the most successful metope possess (Metope 27)?

How does Metope 28 deviate from the others and what does it convey?

Frieze TASK 4

After watching the video below, please respond to the accompanying questions.

Ancient Greek Art: Parthenon Frieze

Frieze TASK 4 prompts:

Where is the location of the frieze and what are its dimensions?

What explains the way in which the gods are grouped (it is not necessary to identify them)?

One of the main scenes that interpretations of this entire frieze hinge on is the folding of the peplos. What are two possible ways to identify this scene?

What does the narrator believe is the subject of the frieze?

What evidence does she provide that supports her reading of the frieze?

What elements does the frieze consist of and what ties them together?