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The Parthenon

447-438 BCE

High Classical Period Ancient Greece

Created by Iktinos and Kallikrates

One of the greatest works of architecture in the world

Length: width --> x =2y +1

75 yards long, height of a five story building

columns slant slightly inward and edges are 4 degrees higher than middle to structure from appearing to sag in the middle at large distances

Included 92 metopes and a 524 foot long ionic frieze and larger than life pedimental structures

Lapith and Centaur metope from south side of Parthenon

High Classical Period Ancient Greece

one of the 92 metopes

displays theme of triumph of civilization (Lapith) over savagry (Centaur), as Athena is the goddess of civilization

high relief structure (nearly free from the wall)

Lapith grabs centaur's hair in order to strike him down with a weapon

The Propylaia

Architect: Mnesikles

ca. 437-432 BCE

High Classical Period Ancient Greece

A monumental construction to the enterance of the acropolis (where the Parthenon was) in Athens

building was split into western (lower) and eastern (upper) sections that resembled a doric temple in order to deal with the steep ascent

Space between center columns was enlarged for horsemen, etc. to enter acropolis

Due to the Peloponnesian War, only the western section was completed

Romans used western section as pinakotheke (picture gallery)

The Erechthion

ca. 421-405 BCE

High Classical Period Ancient Greece - Athenian Acropolis

Asymmetrial (an oddity) because it had to incorporate several preexisting shrines

Had to be constructed over four different levels, because the ground was sacred and thus could not be razed

Housed the archaic wooden statue of Athena

Contains Athena's sacred olive tree and Poseidon's trident mark

Remarkable decoration-caryatids on the south porch (balance of rigid structural support and flexibility)

Phidian wet drapery technique

The (difficult) anatomical detail and the delicate representation of the clothing in the style of Phidias

Seen in reliefs of Athena at the Temple of Athena Nike

High Classical Greece

a low wall along the edge of a roof or balcony

In Ancient (High Classical) Greek temples, these were decorated with statues, such as at the Temple of Athena Nike

Nike adjusting her sandal from the south side of the parapet of the Temple of Athena Nike

ca. 410 BCE

High Classical Ancient Greece

Relief carving

An example of Phidian wet drapery technique

Kritios Boy

ca. 480 BCE

High Classical Ancient Greece

First sculpture reflecting the Greek's interest in how the body moved, which caused them to move awayfromthe stiffness and formality of the Egyptian poses

Slight dip in right hip as weight is shifted to the left foot

head is slightly turned

more natural pose!

The natural pose that developed in classical greece (not seen in archaic sculptures) in which sculpturs have a dip in the right hip as the weight is shifted to the left foot, and a slightly turned head

this can be used to date/identify sculptures

The Charioteer

ca. 470 BCE
High Classical Ancient Greece

Bronze statue found at Delphi (originally one of many)

Slight progression from the Kritios Boy--head is slightly more turned, feet are pointed in the opposite direction, slight weight shift, and severe style expression

Doryphoros (spear bearer)

Sculpture: Polykleitos

440 BCE

Roman copy of original

Polykleitos was in search of the mathmatically perfect human body. He wrote an exposition on the subject, outline the ideal human proportions, and included this statue as a companion

Extremely pronounced contrapposto

Right arm and left leg are relaxed; left arm and right leg are flexed

head turns right, hips turns left

This creates movement and flexibility

Harmony between asymmetry and balance

a fine vessel for perfumes and oils

Ancient Greece

Ancient Greece - High Classical Period

Vessels were covered with a thin layer of white clay. Figures and designs were outlined in black and then filled in with many colors

example: The Achilles painter

High Classical Greek artist

caused a revolution in Greek painting

None of his works survive

Dropped the idea of a single baseline and incorporated landscape elements into his paintings

Praxiteles - Hermes and Dionysis

ca. 340 BCE

Late Classical - Ancient Greece

characterized by grace, softness, sensuousness and even dreamlike qualities

goal: to represent the human form  in a more human manner.

Here, the god teases the infant Dionysis by dangling grapes

blurred lines between the muscles give this work incredible sensuousness

Praxiteles even depicted goddesses nude (very new!)

humanizes gods!

Lysippos - Weary Herakles

ca. 320 BCE

Late Classical Period - Ancient Greece

rejects stability and balance

shows tension

Herakles is worn our and exhuasted with a pensive face

holding the apples of Hesperides behind his back, forcing the reader to take in more than just his front

Hero is made "human" through irony and tension

Polykleitos the Younger - Theater of Epidauros

ca. 350 BCE

Over 50 rows of marble seats, fanning out radially to seat 12,000 spectators

amazing acoustics

a picture made of tesserae, or tiny pieces of colored stone/cut glass

ex: Alexander's victory over Darius III at Issus