The Classical Era APAH
Roman Colosseum
FORM: Artist/Culture: Vespasian, the first emperor of the Flavian Dynasty, built this amphitheatre to give to the people of Rome as a gift. The Colosseum was built in the period of the Flavian Dynasty in Imperial Rome. Medium: Concrete, travertine, volcanic tufa Creation Date: The structure's construction started in 70 ce. and the final completion took place in 80 ce. (70-80 ce.) Location: Rome, Italy Size (ft/in): 187 ft high, 615 ft long, and 510 ft wide The inner ring of the Colosseum is made of concrete, the secondary walls are volcanic tufa, and the outer ring is made from travertine which is limestone. The colosseum was made with an abundance of vaults, complex columns, and the Roman arch. The colosseum is monumental, colossal, elliptical (rounded), ornamental, and decorative (columns). Vocabulary (with definition) associated with work: Flavian dynasty: ruled by ancient Roman imperial dynasty of Vespasian Ancient Roman Architecture: adopted from the Greek architecture, but differed from Greek buildings becoming a new architectural style Gladiator: a man who trained to fight with weapons against other men or wild animals Amphitheater: two Greek theaters put together (facing each other) to create the oval-shaped amphitheater (stadium) Travertine: type of limestone Historical Context: The Colosseum, also known as Flavian Amphitheatre, was built in Rome commissioned by the Flavian emperors. This Colosseum is located east of the Palatine Hill, which Nero's Golden House was located. Nero's Golden House was a palace in ancient Rome built by the emperor, Nero, between 65 and 68 AD. There was a lake that was drained so that they would be able to build the Colosseum on top. This was Vespasian's idea to get rid of the private lake and replace it with a public amphitheatre as a gift to the people of Rome after having to deal with Nero. Your status determined where you would be seated in the amphitheatre. If you were upper class, you were seated closest to the stage, lower class were seated farther up, and women, slaves, and foreigners were seated farthest away which were the "cheap seats", at the very top. Function: The Roman Colosseum served as a stadium where events such as gladiator games, beast fights, naval battles, executions, and dramas took place and were attended by people of all ages and classes due to the Romans love for violence and gore. The colosseum also served the purpose of creating a breath-taking sculpture which showed the wealth and power of Rome. Subject Matter: Entertainment - The colosseum served for entertainment purposes. It was visited daily by all classes and genders of people to attend events that were seen as normal and a daily part of their lives. Content: This structure was a massive, ellipse shaped ring which contained 4 main levels, each of which containing a different function and way of construction. The first three levels had evenly spaced windows surrounding the whole amphitheatre and the fourth level had solid wall with no windows. This was the highest seating, and furthest away from the show, so it was where the lower classes were seated. The stage was filled with sand which they used to absorb blood or any other bodily fluids exposed while fighting in the arena.The underground part of the colosseum was called the hypogeum, which consisted of all the animal pens, trapdoors, and tunnels. The velarium, or awning covered the whole arena to provide shade for the spectators. There were three levels of columns and the higher you went, the more delicate they would become, which was intended for the women who sat up there. an amphitheater built in Rome between 70-80 A.D. used for Gladiator fights, housed 50,000 people, the first and largest amphitheater to be built in Rome Vespasian and Titus
Pantheon
Form: Artist/Culture: Imperial Roman Medium: Concrete with stone facing Creation Date: 118-125 CE Location: Rome Size (ft/in): 142 ft. The dome is made of concrete mixture along with basalt, or volcanic rock, to make the dome hard and durable, which is how it has been so well preserved. The original marble veneer of the walls, niches and floor has survived below the dome. At the top of the dome, stones were replaced with pumice to make it weigh less. The domes thickness decreases as it gets closer to the oculus (Ranogajec). The Pantheon is geometric and rectilinear because of the circle in a square pavement pattern and the dome's half sphere. It is also symmetrical due to the 28 even coffers on the dome and 28 equal columns below it. In addition, the structure is monumental and atmospheric. When entering, there is not a sense of weight of enclosing walls. Instead, there is a feeling of the greatness of the space surrounding. The Pantheon is enclosed without making people feel trapped inside because of the opening that allows the sky, sun and clouds to beam through the oculus. Vocabulary (with definition) associated with work: • Oculus- a round or eyelike opening or design usually used as a circular window, the central boss of a volute or an opening at the apex of the dome • Pantheon- A temple dedicated to the gods • Dome- Rounded vault forming the roof of a building or structure, typically with a circular base • Pediment-The triangular upper part of the front of a building in classical style, typically surmounting a portico of columns • Portico- A structure consisting of a roof supported by columns at regular intervals, typically attached as a porch to a building. • Monolithic- Formed of a single large block of stone. • Corinthian Columns- Roman and Greek style column decor • Coffers- Sunken decorative panels • Facade- The face of a building in which typically faces a street or pathway • Domed rotunda- Any building with a circular ground plan (from Latin rotundus "rolling, round, circular, spherical, like a wheel) • Frieze- A broad horizontal band of sculpted or painted decoration • Dynastic Sanctuary- A succession of rulers from the same family or line for a specific complex Historical Context: Hadrian, a Spaniard, became Trajan's chosen successor and emperor of Rome. He was admired by the people as local officials set up statues and arches in his honor. In fact, there are more portraits of Hadrian that were dedicated to him than any other emperor, expect Agustus (Ranogajec). He was passionate about Greek culture and many of his portraits were inspired by the idealized form of Greek beauty. For example, his beard, which was popular in Greek culture, later became a standard followed by Roman Emperors following Hadrian. Shortly after Hadrian became emperor, the construction of the Pantheon commenced. The original approach to the Pantheon was to create a columnar courtyard like temples in Roman forums. Romans were the first to establish architecture in terms of units of space which could be shaped by the enclosures. The dome also shows the full capabilities of concrete, which can not only be used as building material but also for shaping architectural space (Cartwright). Many architectures are modeled after the Pantheon, and it has become one of the most influential architectural design in history. The structure is one of the best preserved ancient buildings. It is associated with stars and the summer solstice embodying the Romans' advanced education. On the frieze is stated,"M. AGRIPPA L. F. COS. TERTIUM FECIT" which translates to "Marcus Agrippa, son of Lucius, in his third consulate, made it." or "Agrippa built the Pantheon." Agrippa was the son in law of Augustus. However, the current Pantheon was not actually created by Agrippa. There were two other Pantheons built and destroyed at the same location as the Pantheon we know of today. Agrippa built the first Pantheon. The first two Pantheons were destroyed in fires. The first were a string of fires that happened in Rome while the second was a fire caused by a lighting strike (The Pantheon). The third Pantheon is the one we know of today. Function: The original function of the Pantheon is uncertain. The name Pantheon directly translates to "all the gods" (Greek, pan = "all" theos = "gods"), therefore leading many to assume its purpose as a temple dedicated to all gods. However, during this time period there were no known cults dedicated to all of the gods. Furthermore, the Pantheon lacked the rectangular shape of previous temples (Cartwright). With new evidence and interpretations, some historians argue that the original Pantheon was not a traditional temple but rather a dynastic sanctuary or assembly hall where the public would gather. The emperor would have made public appearances overseeing these gatherings whereas the grandeur of the Pantheon would be symbolic of the greatness, order, perfection and permanence of the Roman empire (Ranogajec). Content: Interior: The Pantheon's interior is unified and whole, because it is uninterrupted by supporting solids. The cylindrical drum or dome was constructed level by level with concrete and a mixture of various medium. The oculus, or the round open window at the center of the dome, is the Pantheon's only source of direct light. The oculus is 30 feet in diameter. The sunbeam streaming through the oculus was believed to mark solar or lunar events or time (Chin). The dome's coffers, or inset panels, are divided into 28 sections symmetrical with the 28 columns below because the number is believed to be a "perfect number" (Cartwright). Coffers help decrease the dome's weight without weakening its structure and also adds detail and dimension, exhibiting the advanced engineering of the Romans. The dome symbolizes earth and the starry heavens, because of Renaissance drawings on each coffer suggesting there was previously a gilded-bronze rosette. When it is a sunny day, the light that shines through the oculus creates a circular gleam of light, which travels across the dome throughout the day as the sun moves across the sky. The architect used light not only to illuminate the darkness, but also to create drama highlighting the building's shape. Exterior: The Pantheon's traditional facade masked its revolutionary cylindrical dome and huge hemispherical dome behind the porch supported by columns. There is a facade of eight Corinthian columns, which could almost be seven by standing at ground level. The design is based on the intersection of two circles, horizontal and vertical (Cartwright). What it says on the exterior is, "M. AGRIPPA L. F. COS. TERTIUM FECIT" which is translated, "Marcus Agrippa, son of Lucius, in his third consulate, made it" Imperial Roman. 118-125 C.E. Concrete with stone facing One of the great buildings in western architecture, the Pantheon is remarkable both as a feat of engineering and for its manipulation of interior space, and for a time, it was also home to the largest pearl in the ancient world.
Head of a Roman Patrician
Form: Artist/Culture: The style is verism which is a type of hyper-realism, Roman Medium: Marble Creation Date: 75-50 BCE, Republican Roman Location: Palazzo Torlonia, Rome Size (ft/in): 14 in tall Realistic (wrinkles) , Naturalistic, Expressive, stylized, Exaggerated, Detailed It is realistic, naturalistic, and detailed for the wrinkles on the Romans head, and how exaggerated his facial expressions look. The hairless patrician is staring off in the distance and has a solemn face. His cheeks are carved in. Vocabulary (with definition) associated with work: Verism: Hyperrealism in sculpture where the naturally occurring features of the subject are exaggerated, often to the point of absurdity. Patrician: A person with the status of an aristocrat or nobleman. Gravitas: Seriousness Virtus: Shows high moral standards, Goodness. Monochrome: Derived from a single base hue and extended using its shades, tones and tints. Historical Context There starts to be a shift from idealism in the early Roman Empire to realism and dramatic detail. During this time, people wanted to be remembered properly and their values are changing. The man depicted was a patreon; historians know this because only the wealthy could afford to commission a statue of themself like this. Many times family members would commission works like this as a sign of status to keep in their homes. This art piece was part of a larger Function The statue symbolizes experience and wisdom the patrician had which everyone wanted. The very old age of the patrician shows he gained many valuable experience throughout his life. Content Art historians can interpret that the sculptures were mainly for older men with power, and money. The patricians asked to be made more realistic and to have their features carved out. They requested this type of sculpture in tradition of treasured household images. Each patrician is carved in differently and in each wrinkle or fold in the face it shows the person's personality, and it was a way of celebrating their status in their society. Republican Roma. c. 75-50 B.C.E. Marble the physical traits of this portrait image are meant to convey seriousness of mind (gravitas) and the virtue (virtus) of a public career by demonstrating the way in which the subject literally wears the marks of his endeavors.
Seated boxer
Form: Hellenistic Greek. c. 100 B.C.E. Bronze all bronze-->very rich best preserved statue bc EVERYTHING intact Content: wearing leather wraps brass belts also pink areas are blood-->made of copper resting boxer mouth slightly open-->panting, shows he just fought fully naked except gloves sewed his foreskin of his penis for every match (called infibulation) for protection, this was regulation pugilist--> formal term for boxing very tones full beard--> represents maturity in sport, not a youngblood made cuts on his face--> then put copper teeth looks knocked out cauliflower ears nose broken muscles tense exhausted, but still ready to fight monument to athletic victory could be heracules--> was very good athlete, very strong is a winner take wax and sculpt it, then put bronze, then copper can see bruise under his eye on a stone base, arches put him on it Context: The sculpure shows both body and visage to convey personality and emotion. It shows transformation of pain into bronze, a parallel of recent photos of our contemporary Olympic athletes after their strenuous competitions. boxing is very respected panhellenic: all of greece very famous wanted to be warrior like atri trained everyday, pro boxers winner could make their own statues and put it in hometown 99% sure he was a warrior bronze was very common, bc alex the great conquered a lot
Image 32 Tomb of Triclinium
Form: Tarquinia, Italy Etruscan 480-470 BCE Tufa and fresco: paint while plaster is wet Content: Natural look triclinium bc 3 couch dining room they are reclining banquet/dinner scene, they don't have to be couples female is lighter skin tone ppl standing are servers very pretty robes eat and dance not naturalistic or realistic looks like party room, but it's a tomb bury the dead, eat and feast, dance, then play games (combat sports btw bears and horses fighting and ppl bet) convivial: coming together, joyful time idea that died are having fun in afterlife shows how societal economy status painted tombs are rare--> means person was very wealthy don't say drunk, say having fun with wine triclinium is a 3 part dining hall where u eat; this is where ppl were buried but painted to look like dining hall; having a great time with wine Main Scene: funeral party, reclining and sitting with whoever they want to, some are couples, lighter skin is female, stnding ppl are servers; wearing really pretty robes, jaguars, cats, roosters, bears; ppl depicted are family Dancing Scene: red=male; idealized; having a ball Context: very big on funerary objects (etruscans) big on burying the dead funerals are fun in etruscans, not sad at all paintings reveal life in etruscans really big on funerary objects; big on burrying their dead; funerals are supposed to be fun, not sad; played games and combat sports at funerals; dead supposed to have fun in afterlife; supposed to maintain social status even when you're dead Tarquinia is famous for having many tombs and burial sites; paintings revealed life in Tarquinia Function: made to look like a dining area
Acropolis
Form: Title/Designation: Acropolis Medium: Marble Creation date: 447 - 410 BCE Location: Athens, Greece Artist/Culture: Ancient Mediterranean Created under the inspired guidance of the sculptor, Phidias Parthenon - Iktinos and Kallikrates [architects] (447 BCE - 432 BCE) Propylaea - Mnesikles (437 BCE - 432 BCE) Temple of Athena Nike - Kallikrates (427 BCE -424 BCE) Erechtheion (421 BCE - 406 BCE) Victory Adjusting Her Sandal - (410 BCE) Iktinos and Kallikrates were the primary creators of Acropolis. Size (ft/in): 490 ft above city of Athens ~ 7 acres Vocabulary: Nike - the goddess of victory Athena - the goddess of wisdom Acropolis - the upper fortified part of an ancient Greek city; means dead city but does not refer to the actual buildings; instead it refers to the plan Greek word Akro means extreme/edge, Polis means high city (Ancient History Encyclopedia) Wet Drapery - an art technique mainly used in sculpting where the drapery or clothing appears to be wet in order to reveal the body underneath and its shape Doric Order - one of the three styles of architecture; it was known for its simple and unadorned columns. Ionic - one of the three styles of architecture; it was known to be separated from a stylobate with its base. One distinct feature of this type of column is its spiral scrolls at the top, also known as volutes (Ionic Order). Flutes/Fluting - vertical indentations Stylobate - the floor of a temple (the Parthenon) Pediment - the triangle upper part of a building in a classical style, typically surmounting a portico of columns Ergastines - young women who wore the peplos for the sacred sculpture of Athena (Smarthistory) Libations - a drink poured out as an offering to a deity (Smarthistory) Hestia - Goddess of Hearth and Home Thalassa - Personification of the Sea Gaia - Personification of the Earth Historical Context The city of Athens was under the leadership of Pericles at this time, and the Acropolis was in need of reconstruction after the Persian sack. Themistocles, the Athenian commander, did force the Persian navy to retreat to Asia in 480 BCE, and although Athens suffered much damage from its previous leader, Xerxes, they still emerged from the war with lots of power. The confederacy/alliance known as the Delian league was formed by the Greeks, in which Athens took a dominant role in. Pericles succeeded in converting the alliance into an Athenian empire and using the tributes that he acquired, he executed his plan to rebuild the Acropolis of Athens (Art through the Ages). The Delian League was ultimately the source of funding for the Acropolis and many Greeks were upset that the tributes were going towards a better image of Athens through extravagant temples and artwork (Art through the Ages). It also comes to show that all the buildings are a result of tyranny and abuse of power on Pericles part (Art through the Ages). Democracy, Philosophy, Theatre, freedom of expression, and speech were born on this hill which are still now the spiritual and intellectual foundation for the world values today (UNESCO). Neoclassical monuments are inspired by all Acropolis monuments. Of the four main buildings on the Acropolis, the Parthenon was first erected, followed by the Propylaea, Erechtheion, and lastly the Temple of Athena Nike (Art through the Ages). An Acropolis is a high fortified part of a city, and this makes sense as the Acropolis was established on top of a rocky hill. It also means dead city and does not refer to the actual buildings, but more of the plan. Function: Provide intellectual and spiritual foundation for world and its values; landmark; to give thanks to Athena for the salvation of Athens and Greece in Persian wars; to impress everyone who visited the city. Content: The Acropolis and its monuments are universal symbols of the classical spirit and civilization (UNESCO). The hill that the Acropolis of Athens sits upon is rocky and steep with a flat top (UNESCO). Important monuments: The Temple of Athena Nike - includes the Nike adjusting her sandal Parthenon - includes pediments, metopes, the Plaque of Ergastines The Erechtheion The Propylaea (monumental entrance to Acropolis) - Mnesicles The Temple of Athena Nike is dedicated to Athena, who is represented in this temple as the Goddess of Victory. Believing in the patron goddess, Athena, and the victory goddess, Nike, the Greeks would worship in the temple, which could date back to the Bronze Age of war. This may show that the Greeks prayed to Nike for victory in war (The Temple of Athena Nike: A Small Shrine Dedicated To One of Athena's). It is also believed that the temple replaced a smaller temple that was destroyed during the Persian War; it is the smallest temple in Acropolis and is placed on the edge of a high cliff. The Victory adjusting her sandal, also known as the Nike adjusting her sandal, was originally part of a parapet. A parapet was a type of railing that was used to prevent Athenians from falling off, since the Temple of Athena Nike was rested at the edge of a high cliff. The fragment of the parapet was faced outward to the city, rather than inward towards the temple. In this artwork, the Nike is believed to be removing her sandals rather than putting on her sandals due to her being off balanced. Another reason why it is believed that she is removing her sandals is because it was supposed to capture the Nike entering the sacred grounds of the temple (Smarthistory). The Nike also has her arm up to help her balance, but she also has wings to help her as well. The Nike's body is partly exposed. The artist used wet drapery to expose only her right side of the body, revealing her right leg, abdomen and her breasts. The left side of her body is more covered with the drapes because her left arm gathers the cloth. Because of this, this create a chain fold and ripple effect to show the weight of the cloth and its take on gravity (Smarthistory). The figure is 3'6" high. The Parthenon, which was believed to be originally painted, was a huge temple dedicated to Athena and is considered the greatest Greek temple being the centerpiece of the Acropolis (Art through the Ages). When building the Parthenon, architects calculated the dimensions of every part of the temple using harmonic numerical ratios, which determine the height and diameter of each column (Art through the Ages). For example, the parthenon followed the ratio x=2y+1. Its harmonious design and mathematical precision of its sizes is actually irregular in shape. Throughout the Parthenon are pronounced deviations from the strictly horizontal and vertical lines. The stylobate, for example, curves upward at the center on the sides forming a shallow dome. The peristyle columns lean inward slightly as well. Historians believe this dynamic balance in the building creates an architectural contrapposts and ultimately a greater sense of life (Art through the Ages). Two years went into planning of the Parthenon and the first stone laid was on July 28, 447 BCE during the Panathenaic Festival (Ancient History Encyclopedia). It rests on a fortified hill, overlooking Athens and the Aegean Sea. It is a Doric temple with some Ionic elements, including a simple and harmoniously balanced plan (Art through the Ages). The monumental entrance to the Parthenon is the Propylaia. To disguise the change in ground level, the building was split into an eastern and western section, each one resembling a Doric temple facade. There was a wide ramped causeway; on either sides of the ramp were stairs for pedestrian traffic (Art through the Ages). Inside the Parthenon, slender and tall Ionic columns supported the split-level roof. The columns of the Parthenon contained flutes in its massive columns which continued downward to the stylobate of three steps. The columns were slightly bulged at the bottom to look like its carrying the weight. They were also well-spaced with slender shafts (Art through the Ages). Also above the columns were metopes, capitals, triglyphs and a pediment. The metopes, which were once painted, are made out of marble and are located on the south side of the Parthenon. It was 4'8" high, high relief and depicted the battle of Lapiths and centaurs. On one of the slabs, a centaur rises up on its hind legs to reveal the crumpled body of a Greek person it defeated. In other metopes, Greeks have the upper hand. There are four ionic columns in the west room of the temple and there was a monumental sculpture of Athena in the east room. In the northwest wing were paintings on wood panels (Art through the Ages). The Parthenon had many sculptures and artworks that reflected on Athenian Culture and its belief in mythology. There are also pediments within the Parthenon that told stories of Athens' patron god and the other gods and goddesses. There is one that tells the story of Athena and Poseidon, who both offered gifts to the city-state in order to be a patron. Athena offered an olive tree as a symbol of prosperity and peace, while Poseidon, who in the Pediment strikes a rock to reveal a spring, gave the strengths in naval combat. The people eventually chose Athena's offerings and she became the patron to the city (Smarthistory). In the east pediment is Helios, horses, and Dionysus. It is also made of marble and its greatest height is 4'3". In the pediment, it pictures part of the head and arms of Helios with his chariot horses rising from the pediment floor. Next to them is a powerful male figure, either Dionysos or Herakles, entering the realm of the gods on completion of his 12 labors (Art through the Ages). At the right of the east pediment are three goddesses who are believed to be Hestia, Dione, and Aphrodite. The three figures are placed to accommodate the slope of the pediment (Smarthistory). Hestia, on the left, is believed to be positioned like she is preparing to stand up, and on the right of her, lay Dione and her daughter, Aphrodite. Aphrodite rests on top of Dione and is cradled by her. Historians also suggest that Dione and Aphrodite may actually be Thalassa and Gaia, who represent spirits of the Sea and Earth (Smarthistory). The Plaque of the Ergastines is a frieze, or a band of sculpture, that wrapped around the inside of the Parthenon, and was located towards the top of the first colonnade. Although not in the best condition, the features are still very clear. Art historians believe that it wasn't always a clear color and that it was originally painted to be with a blue background and highlights of gold and red on the figures. Originally, this frieze was high up near the top of a colonnade, so it can rarely be looked upon, but only glanced at the top. The frieze has thought to be a part of the Panathenaic Procession. The women portrayed in the frieze would gather in a procession to go through the sacred path up to Acropolis. Acropolis was the highest point in the city, and the women would go to the great temple of Athena, where the Parthenon stood as well. The frieze shows the women, or Ergastines, bringing the peplos to clothe the statue of Athena. This statue was not the statue of Athena inside the Parthenon, but next to it, which is the Erechtheion, also known as the "olive wood sculpture of Athena." Besides bringing peplos, the women were also seen bringing animals for sacrifice and libations, which was a drink that was poured out as an offering to the patron deity, Athena. The frieze, being made during an era known as the High Classical Period, aimed for balance and idealism in its features. The women portrayed wore dresses that had intricate folds in at the forms of the body, flatter around the chest, and looks very curvilinear at the folds of the peplos. Another distinct feature of the design are the straight lines of the dress that reminds us about the design of the colonnades as well. The common pose that we see similar to the Augustus of Prima Porta sculpture is the contrapposto pose, where the left leg bears the weight as it is bent and the right leg is put forward (Smarthistory- "Plaque of the Ergastines). The Erechtheion was considered to be the antithesis of the Doric Parthenon. It was built into the ruins of the Archaic Athena temple's remains and was supposed to be a multiple shrine. Its purpose was to honor Athena while also incorporating shrines to a host of other gods and demigods, such as Erechtheus and Kekrops (Art through the Ages). The location for the temple is the exact location in which Athena and Poseidon had a contest. During the contest, Poseidon had staked his claim to Athens by striking the Acropolis rock with his trident, ultimately producing a salt-water spring. Athena then caused an olive tree to grow and the tree stood as a reminder of her victory over Poseidon (Art through the Ages). The Erechtheion has an asymmetrical plan, which is very unique for a Greek temple. This form reflected the need to incorporate the tomb of Kekrops, other shrines, trident mark, and olive tree in one complex. Also, due to uneven land, each side of the temple rests on a different ground level, giving it character (Art through the Ages). The ionic capitals that are part of the temple were inlaid with gold, rock crystal, and colored glass. The frieze portion was a dark-blue limestone which contrasted the white Pentelic marble of the walls and columns of the relief figures attached to the dark frieze. The most famous feature of the temple are the caryatids located on the south porch of the Erechtheion; they are 7'7" high and are made of marble. The caryatids symbolize sixth century BCE korai with Classical counterparts and are updated versions of the Archaic caryatids of the porch of the Siphnian Treasury (Art through the Ages). They have contrapposto stances, but their flutelike drapery folds hide their legs. The rigidity of the figures shows it is a structural column, however the degree of flexibility shows a living body. Form: Geometric, perspective Parthenon Classical Greek thought and art Statues looked serious and more stern (stoic) in contrast to Hellenistic Greek art which expressed more emotion and was more dramatic. Adaptation of architecture into natural site High Relief (Victory adjusting her sandal) Monumental Athens, Greece. Iktinos and Kallikrates. c. 447-410 B.C.E. Marble The most recognizable building on the Acropolis is the Parthenon, one of the most iconic buildings in the world, it has influenced architecture in practically every western country.
Image 33 Niobides Krater
Form: anonymous vase painter of classical greece--> known as Niobid Painter 460-450 BCE clay, red figure technique ( white highlights) Content: one side: niobide was a women, not goddess, a mortal had 14 kids, 7 boys and girls gets hubris (pride) about her 14 kids talks smack on Leto bc she only has 2 kids --> are artimus and apollo, but they are goddesses and gods leto cries so artimus and apollo create a plan (also they are fantastic at archery) they plan to shoot all of niobide's 14 kids other side: is random, drew Heracules and Athena and some horses heracules also is holding a club and is in a lion outfit Context: sever style--> classical greek style making statues come alive huge major art form no sense of perspective Function: record the stories of greek myths
Image 40 Alexander Mosaic from the House of Faun, Pompeii
Form: republican roman 100 CE mosaic--> out of pebbles and stones 8ft by 17ft NOT IDEALIZED -->no chiseled jaw, gaunt looking, big checks and nose has wrinkles, has short hair, more realistic Content: isus--> battle depicted, in turkey, alex defeating ppl in Asian Minor battle btw darious and alex Background: darius has persepolous very confident--> brought preg wife defeat of darius pesians darius is horrified bc his bodyguard is getting killed by alex's spear darius is there, but not fighting-->doesn't have a weapon, shows he is a passive leader alex is a ____ leader ducephalus-->alex's horse not even looking at person he's killing, shows how he is very well trained, doesn't need to look gorgon--> on person's breastplate, she looks scared and worried, shows how strong alex is Context: hair style influences Agustus charioteer--> person guiding chariot bonnets are Persians, no helmet is masdonians dedicated to alex scene is turning point of battle original in museum
Temple of Minerva and Sculpture of Apollo
Form: (aka Portonaccio Temple) Veii, near Rome, Italy. Etruscan. Master sculptor: Vulca. 510-500 BCE. original temple of wood, mud brick, or tufa (volcanic rock). Terra cotta sculpture. Ornate. Colorful. Stone foundation. Everything but marble Content: Doric means plain ionic means designed Statues at the top of the roof tell a story called Antefix Next to Apollo story was ____ story--> found little tidbits of animals Apollo has a twin, Diana see Hercules and Apollo hunting a deer-->prized possession of Diana Tableau Deep front porch Triple Cella--> 3 rooms they were dedicated to Merva, Tinia, and Uni Doric columns [plain]; Etruscans painted their temples; ionic columns [had designs on top]; corinithian [super decorative at the top face]; sculpture is of Apollo and he sat on top of the pediment; the statues on the roof were supposed to tell a story of what was going on; antefix is the thing on top; next to the Apollo story was Hercules Story; tableau is that thing on top; seems like statues are moving [dynamic]; 5:6 proportion; called triple cella [means 3 rooms]; deep front porch, back portion divided into 3 rooms [rooms divided into minerva, teinia (Jupiter) - Zeus, Uni (Juno) - Hara who is goddess of marriage] Content for Apollo: brightly painted and rippling folds of garment; vigorous striding motion, gesticulating arms, fanlike calf muscles, rippling drapery, animated face Context: Minerva is Athena; apollo is god of sun; Etruscans worshiped their gods in nature; start to see more temples around 600 BCE bc copying Greeks; loved ornate designs; it was efemerol [not meant to last]; only sculpture is left; in Greek mythology, Apollo and Herculues have a contest to find a golden deer to get the prized possesion of Diana [Apollo's twin] Context: 1st temple Don't worship gods in temple-->they do it in nature After 500 BCE more temples bc they copy greeks --> TEMPLES NOT PAINTED (greeks only) Function:
Anarysos Kouros
Form: Archaic Greece. Anavysos, Greece. 530 BCE. Marble w/ reminants of paint. 6'4" Idealized [bc it's not his real body]. Symmetrical. Realistic. Naturalistic. Balance. Proportionate. Content: name is Krouisos; hair looks like Persian hair b/c it has curly RINGLETS; he is wearing a taenia [headband]; eyes are very idealized for the Greeks; expensive to get one made because it is made out of marble; this kouros statue was found in his grave that his parents erected for him; there are inscriptions on the base [says his name, that he was the son of a leader, and that his father was close friends with the king of Lydia (he was a proxenos=guest friend)], and that Krouisos died in battle]; he is naked because he achieved god-like status; made out of 1 block of iron; hands used to measure how long the genital area is; forearm is how big the feet are; considered to be perfect b/c it's nude, ancient, universal, non deteriorated; head is just right for the body with a rounded face and swelling cheeks; hair falls naturally over the back; rounded, fleshy hips; made out of perfect 21 squares that they chiseled out; human head should be fit into the body 7 times; hands in fist because that's the idealized stance of Archaeic Greece Context: Kouros [means youth] statues will always be a young man who is standing and is nude; the ringlet hair and taenia is eastern Greek influence; Krouisos is important, wealthy, and the son of a leader; votive [commemoration/dedication; votive statues becoming life-size]; similarities between Egyptian art; has a lot to do with Greek mythology; Greeks are harder workers b/c marble is super hard to carve [used iron chisels]; used preanian marble; Greeks love proportion and balance Function: used as a commemoration/dedication
Image 28: Peplos Kore from the Acropolis
Form: Archaic Greek. 530 BCE. marble w/ painted details. 5'9". Monumental, symmetrical, stylistic Content: Kore: women standing statue, also at the head of graves; originally painted over, bc there was a lot of marble in Greece, but they painted over it; wearing a peplos [red dress], Chiton is blue; she is actually wearing two dresses; wearing a crown called a meniskos; hair is in ringlets; might be holding an offering to Athena; known as the stylistic "sister" to the Anavysos kouros; wears four different garments, one in which only goddesses wore; the attribute the goddess held in her missing left hand would immediately have identifie her; drapery conceals the entire body save for head, ars, and feet; rendered soft female form much more naturally; this softer treatment of flesh sharply differentiates later korai from kouroi Context: in classical ideal, statues were supposed to be painted b/c that's what the Greeks saw as beautiful, but when the Romans found it, some of the paint wore off→ ppl kept it white because they placed their own aesthetic down; 14 other statues were found together because when Persia defeated Greece, they dumped them all together into a room because they weren't considered art at the time; this was the most famous statue her outfit is what is believed women wore back then, they wore hats to protect from weather or bird poop; kore is supposed to be used as a votive; dedicated to Athena Function: statue is dedicated to Athena, funerary; symbolizes a person who died [was not how the person actually looked like]
Image 26: Athenian Agora
Form: Archaic through Hellenistic Greek. Archaic Greece. 600 BCE - 150 BCE. Athens, Greece. Content: agora is an outdoors area/marketplace/public open space for markets/assemblies/political use; it has social and political rooms [law offices, courts]; citizens could walk through library, theatre [odeion]; Temple of Ares; large open square; on each side there are buildings; Types of buildings in Agora: council chamber, public office buildings, law courts, have water clocks that were used to time speeches, stores [shoes, bronze sculptures, potery]; shrines/temples; mint [where they made coined money]; treasury; farmers market where they sold perfume, fish, meat, olive oil, horses, slaves, Context: Archaic Greece refers to the 8th century to the dark ages; Athens has lots of famous ppl [play writes, historians, philosophers [Aritotle, Socrates, Plato]; Athens is its own city-state [city but kinda seens as its own country; has its own government and is a legit democracy]; Athens is beginning of western civilization; Ares's roman counterpart is Mars; Ares is god of war; everything is dedicated to Athena in Athens; Athena is patron goddess in Athens; Athens was named after Athena; slaves were from captured cities and ordered to walk around naked in circles; still being excavated; Socrates hated agora; he believed people were stupid and unaware of what was going on; Plato heard Socrates talking smack so he made an acadamy where he taught ppl ___________; In Rome, agoras are called forum Function: marketplace, place to patronize/share ideas
Image 29: Sarcophagus of the Spouses
Form: Etruscan. 520 BCE. Terra Cotta. Painted like early Greeks. Ceramic. 6ft x 4.5ft [for coffin] Stylized. Naturalistic. Lack of hierarchical scale. Content: banquet setting [they are eating], intimate [bc it's a husband and wife] , aristocrats. Care-->city. Klina means recline→ would be in a klina, ppl would bring food to them, and the two people would eat together.; always cuddled with lover; looks similar to Archaeic Greek; no longer had curly hair; eating on reclined bed; she's pouring drips of perfume on him Context: very normal in the Etruscan world. Greeks were VERY envious of Etruscans, especially the women because Greek women envied Etruscan women's equality; also bc Greek women weren't allowed to recline and eat in bed like Etruscan women; The women were equal, no hierarchical scale; women were very important; they attended banquets, rode in carriages and got to watch sports; People together are very intimate. Women is putting perfume on husband. Before you died, ppl were sprayed with oils or perfume→ like Egypt (like going into the afterlife) so this may be exemplifying a common ritual; Beard is influenced by ionion (Anatolia). One side is more detailed than the other b/c Etruscans only cared about the upper body. The coffin is cut in half because you can't bake something that big or else it would crack. There is more art of women than men; they wanted to be feasting and reclining in their afterlife; shows overall life of Etruscans/life of aristocrats; Etruscan art has more women than men because women were quite reverred in this community Function: uncertain other than a coffin. Shows life of Etruscans; house the dead
Great alter of zues and athena of pergamon
Form: asia minor (pres day turkey) hellenistic greek--> after death of alex the great 175 BCE entirely made of marble Content: very urbanized alex is building greek god temples situated on high hill-->overlooks the city fav daughter was athena--> birthed out of his head--> he had a headache and cracked his head open 800 ft above city of pergamon Agora: open public space once freize-->gigantomachy--> freize showing battle of the giants, figures are bigger than lifesize some are "coming out" of the walls(losers falling to their death) giants--> faces are more____, have snake-like bodies giants are looking barbaric, athena is poised gods are perfect, giants deformed giants look chaotic drapery is VERY deep cut hellenistic way or depicting pics-->very dramatic gods more elegant, human looking shows alex's great empire defeated horit charthide-->alex brought all gods together satues on side considered to be high relief [sculptures pasted on walls]; situated on very high hill to overlook city as gods and goddesses; considered a sculptural frieze; there's a theatre, agora, palaces; gigantomachy [free showing battle of the Giants] is shown on the frieze; over 100 figures on frieze [humans, gods, giants are struggling so that ppl are actually falling of a wall] → intentional bc wanted ppl to feel how intense the war is; giants look bombaric/chaotic/deformed; Athena appears poised because she is winning the war; drapery is super deep cut to show violence and chaos; hellenistic b/c it's super dramatic and emotional; gods are human looking, ideal , and elegant; showing Alexander the Great's empire where he defeated Eronith, Cartnige and how he brought all the cultures together; not super Greek, but definitely influenced; different from classical bc not stoic, very emotional/dramatic; frieze is almost 400 ft long Frieze: called Altar of Zeus battle of Zeus and gods against giants; alluds to victory of King Attalos victory against the Gauls; Gaia [earth goddess and mother of all giants] emerges from the ground and loks on with horror; Athena grabs hai of the giant Alkyoneos as Nike flies in to crown her; lots of violent movement, swirling draperies, and vivid depictions of life/death fill the frieze; wounded figures-- we can see their pain through their facial expressions; the deep carving creates dark showdows Context: Context: temple used to offer sacrifices to Zeus and Athena; fully functional bc still in tact; sacrificed goats and cows to give offering to god in exchange for something good in their own life Function: used as a sacrifice for their god--> sacrificed goats frieze--> story that goes around
Augustus of Primaporta
Form: imperial roman early 1st century CE 6ft, 8in marble dedication, monumental Content: 1st leader of Rome adopted dad is julius ceaser no more senate, now an empire was commissioned, by Tyberious (adopted son tyberious) breast plate/armor-->victory against parthians propoganda tyberious's way to show how amazing augustus was lots of romans adopted--> tyberious was only one adopted contrapposto --> step forward left leg is suppose to be bent augustus had a very broad cranium , deep set eyes, sharp ridges in brow, well formed chin apollo is youthful fresh (reason why ppl want to look like him) (like augustus) has capability to rule over empire power of imagery brought peace to rome augustus tried to connect himself to golden age of greece pointing to show he's giving a speech orator--> good at public speaking SYMBOLS: little person next to aug is cupid, son of venus (aeneas us also sone of venus) -->aeneas fought in the trojan war and escaped to rome and founded it aeneas story was written by virgil and commissioned by aug said to be make aen look like aug aug is believed to be direct descendant of venus, makes him a demigod is riding a dolphin bc aug is good at naval victories-->battle of actium was cleo and mark anthony aug is wearing a breastplate -->bringer of peace and side with gods sun god (sol) sky god (caelus) sides are women deities (represents the difference countries aug conquered) apollo and diana -->aug wants to show he was favored tellus-->earth goddess-->2 babies--> show country is very prosperous diana is riding a griffin-->eagle/lion thesis (not a portrait, connection to past, military dictator, bringer of peace, and connector to god Context: found in livia's home (augustus wife) is a copy of another bronze original (bronze more abundant) marble is abundant in greece red is main paint cupid isn't colored bc he's naked barefoot bc he achieved godlike status