ANCIENT GREEK ART

Ancient Greek art stands out among that of other ancient cultures for its development of
naturalistic but idealized depictions of the human body, in which largely nude male figures were
generally the focus of innovation. The rate of stylistic development between about 750 and 300 BC
was remarkable by ancient standards, and in surviving works is best seen in sculpture. There were
important innovations in painting, which have to be essentially reconstructed due to the lack of
original survivals of quality, other than the distinct field of painted pottery.
Greek architecture, technically very simple, established a harmonious style with numerous
detailed conventions that were largely adopted by Roman architecture and are still followed in
some modern buildings. It used a vocabulary of ornament that was shared with pottery, metalwork
and other media, and had an enormous influence on Eurasian art, especially
after Buddhism carried it beyond the expanded Greek world created by Alexander the Great. The
social context of Greek art included radical political developments and a great increase in
prosperity; the equally impressive Greek achievements in philosophy, literature and other fields
are well known.
The earliest art by Greeks is generally excluded from "ancient Greek art", and instead known
as Greek Neolithic art followed by Aegean art; the latter includes Cycladic art and the art of
the Minoan and Mycenaean cultures from the Greek Bronze Age. The art of ancient Greece is
usually divided stylistically into four periods: the Geometric, Archaic, Classical, and Hellenistic

1. Geometric (900-700 BCE): This period is

characterized by geometric patterns and stylized
figures on pottery. The Geometric age is usually dated
from about 1000 BC, although in reality little is known
about art in Greece during the preceding 200 years,
traditionally known as the Greek Dark Ages.

2. Archaic (700-480 BCE): Figures became more

detailed and lifelike in this period. Sculptors began to
depict muscles and drapery more realistically. Had
already shown an unusual focus on the human figure,
usually shown in a straightforward frontal standing
position with arms folded across the stomach. Among
the smaller features only noses, sometimes eyes, and
female breasts were carved, though the figures were apparently usually painted and may
have originally looked very different.
Inspired by the monumental stone sculpture of Egypt and Mesopotamia, during the Archaic period
the Greeks began again to carve in stone: Greek mercenaries and merchants were active abroad,
 as in Egypt in the service of Pharaoh Psamtik I (664–610 BC), and were exposed to the
monumental art of these countries.
3. Classical (480-323 BCE): In the Classical period
there was a revolution in Greek statuary, usually
associated with the introduction of democracy and
the end of the aristocratic culture associated with
the kouroi. The Classical period saw changes in
the style and function of sculpture. Poses became
more naturalistic (see the Charioteer of Delphi for
an example of the transition to more naturalistic
sculpture), and the technical skill of Greek sculptors in depicting the human form in a variety
of poses greatly increased. From about 500 BC statues began to depict real people. The
statues of Harmodius and Aristogeiton set up in Athens to mark the overthrow of
the tyranny were said to be the first public monuments to actual people.

4. Hellenistic (323-30 BCE): Art from this period is

more dynamic and emotional than in previous
periods. Sculptors experimented with perspective
and movement. During this period sculpture
became more naturalistic, and also expressive;
the interest in depicting extremes of emotion being
sometimes pushed to extremes. Genre subjects of
common people, women, children, animals and
domestic scenes became acceptable subjects for sculpture, which was commissioned by
wealthy families for the adornment of their homes and gardens; the Boy with Thorn is an
example.

Here are some of the most famous examples of ancient Greek art:

 The Parthenon Frieze is a continuous marble sculpture that

adorned the exterior walls of the Parthenon, a temple
dedicated to the goddess Athena in Athens. The frieze
depicts a procession of people and animals during a religious
festival.
 The Venus de Milo is a marble statue of Aphrodite, the
Greek goddess of love and beauty. The statue is missing its
arms, but it is still considered one of the most beautiful
sculptures ever created.

 The Discobolus is a bronze statue of a discus thrower. The

statue captures the athlete in mid-motion, perfectly balanced
and poised to launch the discus.

 The Red-figure Amphora is a type of pottery that was

decorated with red figures on a black background. These
amphoras were used for storing wine and olive oil, and they
were often decorated with scenes from mythology or
everyday life.

 The Alexander Mosaic is a large floor mosaic that depicts

the Battle of Issus between Alexander the Great and the
Persian king Darius III. The mosaic is made up of millions of
tiny pieces of colored stone, and it is a masterpiece of
Hellenistic art.
These are just a few examples of the many amazing works of
art that were created by the ancient Greeks. Their art
continues to inspire artists and art lovers today.
 FEMINIST ART (Modern Art)

Feminist art is a movement that uses art to challenge the way women are represented in society
and fight for gender equality. Feminist art is a category of art associated with the feminist
movement of the late 1960s and 1970s. Feminist art highlights the societal and political
differences women experience in their lives. The goal of this art form is to bring a positive and
understanding change to the world, leading to equality or liberation. Media used range from
traditional art forms, such as painting, to more unorthodox methods such as performance
art, conceptual art, body art, craftivism, video, film, and fiber art. Feminist art has served as an
innovative driving force toward expanding the definition of art by incorporating new media and a
new perspective.
Here are two famous examples of feminist art:
 Judy Chicago, The Dinner Party (1974-1979)
This massive installation features a symbolic dinner table set
for 39 historical and mythological women. Each place setting
is a work of art that incorporates imagery and objects related
to the woman's life and accomplishments. The Dinner Party
critiques the exclusion of women from history and celebrates
their achievements.

 Guerrilla Girls, Do Women Have to be Naked to Get

into the Met. Museum? (1989)
This protest poster uses humor and confrontation to make a
point about the lack of female artists represented in the
Metropolitan Museum of Art. The anonymous Guerrilla Girls
wear gorilla masks to challenge the idea of a singular feminist
identity.
These are just two examples of the wide range of feminist art.
Feminist artists use many different media and approaches to
explore issues of gender, identity, sexuality, and the body.
 Contemporary
Philippine Arts from
Regions
(CPAR)
Activity

Submitted by: Isang, Karl C.

Submitted to: Ma’am Aileen Rovira Anga-angan

May 15, 2024