Phidias was seen to be the greatest sculptor in Greek history by many sources. As stated, he was “one of the world's aesthetic masters” (Morris and Powell). Little is known about Phidias’ early life, but it was when Pericles rose to power circa 449 that he placed Phidias in charge for the building program in Athens making him responsible of all artistic undertakings (Britannica). Through this all of Phidias’ artistic contributions had a huge impact on Greek art and culture; as seen through his work in culture and material sculptures. Considering he may be called the initiator of the idealistic and classical style that distinguishes Greek are in the fifth century (Britannica).
Although Phidias is mainly known for his contributions to sculpture in the fifth century,
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Many ancient writers believe that the seated Zeus at Olympia was Phidias’ masterpiece as it is considered one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. It was circa 430 BC that Phidias created Zeus seated on an elaborately decorated throne made out of gold, ivory, ebony, and semiprecious stones (Ancient Greece and Rome Encyclopedia). Although many of his statues were destroyed evidence of his works such as Zeus were found on other artifacts. As stated by Gisela M. A. Richter “To the representations on coins with Zeus seated on a throne, holding Nike and scepter” (The Pheidian Zeus at Olympia). Phidias is also famously known for his three Athenian statues. But out of all three, he was most famous for the Athena Parthenos, which was the forty-foot chryselephantine statue standing in the cella of the Parthenon (Ancient Greece and Rome Encyclopedia). It was seen to be a masterpiece as
Within a Greek city, in a complex of temples, lays a marble relief panel known as the Nike Adjusting Her Sandal. Famous for its elaborately carved details and high level of skill, this Classical Greek sculpture stands 3 feet 6 inches tall and has been a subject of discussion between art historians for decades. The panel originates from the city of Athens’ Acropolis in Ancient Greece circa 410 BCE. Prior to the sculpture’s carving, the Athenians faced hardship when the Persians destroyed their original temples in 480 BCE. However, this prompted the leader of Athens, Pericles, to rebuild the Acropolis under a new, classical, principal. Pericles was an exceptional orator, general, politician, and patron of the arts. His rule lasted from 495 BCE
...the Athenian Parthenon’s in some ways its powerful imagery has caused it to be acknowledged it as one of the most wonderful examples of Hellenistic art and architecture.
The Ancient Greeks were nothing if not influential. Ever since it 's formation in the 8th century B.C., Greek civilization has impacted many of the world 's greatest thinkers and shaped the landscape of Western Civilization. Aside from their art and philosophy, the Ancient Greeks were particularly interested in politics and, in the case of Athens, a new system of government known as: democracy! Long before the American founding fathers declared their independence from Britain, Athenian citizens governed their own state and voted to solve political turmoil. However, ancient Athens was no perfect twin to American democracy, and being an upstanding Athenian citizen meant more than simply voting and going about one 's business. A standout Athenian
It is always important to look to the past in order to move towards the future. This was done in the formation of Western Society, and more specifically the formation of American society. The Greek culture served as a frame of reference for many aspects of Western life including government, architecture, math and the arts. Ancient Greek culture served as a very broad base for our society to be built upon.
... made such a great impression that it has carried through to our present day buildings such as the White House. The Athena Parthenos has been recreated by the Romans and then most recently by recreated by Alan LeQuire which is in Nashville. (See Fig 2.) We can get a glimpse with LeQuire’s recreation of how that statue may have been in ancient Greece standing in the Parthenon with such majestic greatness.
of the Seven Wonders of the World, it was a statue of Zeus sitting on his
Not much is known today about the late classical Athenian sculptor named Praxiteles. His father, Cephisodotus and two of his sons, Cephisodotus and Timarchus, were also well known in Athens for their artwork and sculptures. Praxiteles work is a leading example of the work of sculptors from the Attic school from this period of Ancient Greece. He recognized many of the traditions and practices of his predecessors in Ancient Greek...
The Egyptians had influenced Early Greek art for several years; it was during the time of war (Archaic Period) and art was not their top priority. Most of their sculptures were similar to those in Egypt and there was no sense of personal style. However, as peace was approaching, artists started to focus on how to make their work outstanding. They took advantage of their knowledge in anatomy and started applying it to their blocks of marbles. During the early Classical Period, Kritios Boy was sculpted, and it showed the break from the Egyptian style.
It was away for me to study and review what I thought was most significant about Greek times and the art pieces that stood out to me the most. I also like that I get to get my personal reflection on key pieces that lead to the new era of classical and non-classical art. In my essay, I will show how ancient Greece was a very unique culture that went through great efforts to produce high-class art. which would be the start of the archaic period. what dominated the earlier era of the Greek civilization was the abstract geometric patterning.
...as the most famous sculptor in Greece. He made the sculpture of Athena in the Parthenon. The basis of Athenian architecture was it being naturalistic forms as in nudes. Like in architecture they also liked to use balance, harmony and naturalistic forms. They used wind blown drapery. These advancement in sculpture created some the most well know sculptures.
...ing Greek originals in bronze and was collected by art lovers. Marble was mined by bow drills in shapes of large blocks. A smaller block of marble would make parts of the statue. Then the sculptors connected statues with dowels and use a small hand drill and chisels to make smaller details. Then, the sculptors would use rough powders to smooth the sculpture. Lastly, the artist will then attach the sculpture to a platform and then added paint on the statue. Accessories were added as bronze spears, swords, helmets, and jewelry (Cartwright 1).
Tzonis, Alexander, and Phoebi Giannisi. Classical Greek Architecture: The Construction of the Modern. Paris: Flammarion, 2004.
The primary focus of ancient Greek sculptures was that of the human body. Almost all Greek sculptures are of nude subjects. As the first society to focus on nude subjects, Greek sculptors attempted to "depict man in what they believed was the image of the gods and so would come to celebrate the body by striving for verisimilitude or true – likeness (realism and naturalism!)."(Riffert) Not only did the Greeks celebrate the human form in their art but also in everyday life. (Riffert) One of the favorite topics for sculptors was that of the athlete. In Greek culture athletes were described as "hero–athletes". (Riffert) This shows that athletes were revered and looked upon as heroes. The influence of athleticism is evident in many famous sculptures. I will attempt to show how the human form influenced Greek art. It is important to note that many of the Greek sculptures discussed do not exist in their original form but rather in Roman copies of the original bronze sculptures. (Riffert)
Perhaps one of the most defining and easily identifiable aspects of the ancient Greek culture was the immortalization of humans and gods in sculpture. Sculpture had existed in the world for thousands of years before the ancient Greeks made their stake in the art, but the Greeks added an entirely new set of aspects to their sculptures. Unlike the Egyptian and Mesopotamian sculpture centuries earlier, the Greeks set forth not just to capture the image of a man but to capture that which made him a man. The Greeks set in place three base tenants to display the tone of a sculpture. Through the use of Humanism, Realism, and Idealism the ancient Greeks were able to capture humans and gods forever in marble.
Over a period of time Greek art of the past has changed and evolved into what we value in todayís society as true art and services as a blue print of our tomorrow. As we take a closer look at the Geometric Period and stroll up through the Hellenistic Period allow me to demonstrate the changes and point out how these transitions have served the elements of time.