Introduction
The Ancient Greek art flourished during the Classical Period. It was one of the most
important art forms in Western culture during this period, and it inspired all subsequent
Western art. Greek art practiced a realistic representation of human figures, animals, and
plants. The Greeks were great innovators in the arts, particularly in sculpture and architecture
which they developed and improved upon at an even earlier date than those two arts did.
Ancient Greece was a civilization that flourished around 900 BC and fell around 250 BC. The
main goals and objectives of this research paper is to provide a brief history on Ancient
Greek Sculptures and also define the types of styles used in Ancient Greek Sculpture. The
research problem that I want to cover in this paper is the styles of sculpture used by Ancient
Greeks and how they changed throughout much of their history (. The Ancient Greeks did not
just use one sculptural style, they used a variety of them. There are five main styles of
Ancient Greek sculptures which are: Early Classical Period, Late Classical Period, Hellenistic
Period, Archaic Period, and Proto-Corinthian Period. My goal is to define these styles, give a
brief history on each one of them, and show how each One changed into the next one over
time. The Ancient Greek sculptures were primarily made out of marble or bronze. Archaic
sculpture representation focused on human forms with a slight more literal interpretation of
their physical form than Classical sculpture would later display (Fullerton, 2016). The
proportioned body portrayed in Archaic sculpture was idealized in the sense that it had no
visible flaws; it was depicted as being “perfect.” Understanding these styles used in ancient
Greek sculpture is important because it gives a broader perspective on ancient Greek history
and also helps with understanding the stages of artistic evolution that led to current forms of
art. It is essential to understand how ancient Greek art has influenced the Western world, and
why it is important to them.
Background
Ancient Greek sculptures have certain features that have set them apart from the art of
many other cultures. The Grecian sculptors used a number of different styles to achieve their
effects, which is one of the things that makes Greek sculpture so unique. Sculptors shaped
figures using a variety of forms, as well as adding details to make figures more lifelike and
realistic. They used many different materials for creating their sculptures, and this is another
key part of the sculptural style used in Greek artwork. The Greeks were great innovators in
the field of sculpture, but even they started out with a somewhat basic understanding of the
craft. This is one of the reasons why there is so much variation in their artwork.
In ancient Greek art and culture, there are many different styles that you can find. The Greeks
had a variety of artistic mediums and techniques, including paintings, sculptures and
architecture. The sculptures that Greek artists produced have become some of the most iconic
works in history (Wace, 2014). The unique styles that they pioneered still show up today,
however. Some of the basic stylistic elements found in Greek sculptures are:
– A pose that is different from other depictions of human figures
– Sculptures with a focus on proportions and realism
– Choosing one medium over another
– Combining together styles of sculpture to create a unique effect.
The three prime factors for creating such realistic looking sculptures were: proportion,
harmony and balance. The sculptors of the world would have many eyes focused on detail,
and the result was incredible accuracy in depicting the human form. Ancient Greek sculpture
was quite remarkable for what it did with people, animals and even plants. The ancient
sculptors were certainly masters of their craft.
The five main styles of ancient Greek sculptor work can be broken down into:
Classic
– The earliest and most traditional style of Greek art. This was the standard of the time and
placed emphasis on proportion and detail.
– The sculptures were made from wood, marble or bronze. Half of the body is carved, while
the top half is left unfinished to act as a frame for what's been created.
– Art historians usually identify this style to have originated around 700 BC, though it seems
that there was some preliminary work done on this particular style as early as 1500 BC.
Hellenistic
– A blend of two or more classic styles in a single piece of art. The Hellenistic style is a more
mature and polished form of classic.
– The art forms went beyond understanding human anatomy and looked at how the body
moved and how it looked when in action.
– The majority of works in this category are copies of older forms. It is the combination of
styles that makes Hellenistic so unique.
– Some aspects of this style include: Classic, baroque, Roman, Egyptian and later
Renaissance influences. This was a time period that combined various cultures into one
cohesive whole, which resulted in a blending of styles and arts.
– The Hellenistic art form is seen to be depicting more emotions; portraying the dramatic
features that are filled with happiness, anger, agony, and humor.
– Much like the classic style, the art was made using marble or stone as its medium. The
Greeks also used bronze as one of their primary materials for Hellenistic sculpture work.
Etruscan
– This style is more focused on emotion and religion. The artists tried to convey what they
believed was the story of a character through their expression, rather than the physical
appearance (Gunther & Bagna-Dulyachinda, 2019).
– Etruscan art preceded Greek art, but greater influence was seen in the Italian region. The
Greek influence for this style can be seen in the wearing of garments and jewelry.
– Although there is no real concrete evidence or timeline for when this type of artwork first
appeared, it seems that archaeologists have been able to identify Etruscan art from about 500
BC onwards.
Attic
– The sculptors worked from their own perspective and were not trying to imitate anything
from life.
– This style first appeared around 500 BC, after the birth of Hellenistic Greek sculpture.
– The figures in Attic sculptures were depicted with a greater emphasis on the delicacy and
grace of women.
– This is one of the most important styles as it helped inspire many of the later works that we
see in other forms of art today (Dillon, 2017).
Geometric
– The artists in geometric used what is known as key-patterns in their artwork. These key
patterns include: triangles, squares, circles and crosses.
– These works are known for their simplicity and symmetry.
– The first use of this style seems to have been around 800 BC. It was the early works of this
style that we can see most often among the earlier stages of Greek art.
The early works of Greek sculpture were usually done in wood or marble. Only after
the fall of the temple of Apollo at Delphi did sculptors begin to transition from wood to stone.
The reason for this was because metal was more durable and could withstand a great amount
of wear and tear from weathering, but stone would not break down in that same way. For an
artist to be accepted into the ranks of Greek sculpture, he or she had to have a significant
amount of skill and talent that surpassed the work previously created by others. These artists
also needed to live within a close proximity to an existing temple, so as to have access to the
newly found materials, which were being added in greater numbers at this time period. The
artists were not always accepted into the ranks of Greek sculpture though. The profession did
not become so popular until the seventh century BC (Wace, 2014).
The artwork that appeared at this time was mainly done using marble and stone, but
was soon expanded to include terracotta and bronze. Some notable places where terracotta
sculptures could be found are: Greece, Italy and Egypt. The primarily used materials for these
works are still similar to those used today, with some additions in the form of metals like
silver, gold and copper. In each style, there were different materials used to create different
effects. Stone was the foremost material used for ancient Greek sculptors. This is because it
was a stable resource that allowed for a substantial amount of detail to be carved into the
stone while maintaining strength and durability (Gunther & Bagna-Dulyachinda, 2019). The
first use of stone was seen in early Aegean sculpture, around 3500 BC. The Greeks began to
use marble in the mid-late 5th century BC.
As with any masterful work, there are certain aspects that make the pieces created by
these ancient Greek sculptors so unique and unique. A lot of their sculpture had some kind of
religious theme or meaning to it, and they did take this a step further by trying to perfect the
human figure. The Greeks were also masters at using multiple materials in order to achieve
their desired effect. The creation of different mediums within the sculptural craft was one
way that allowed for the shaping of intricate details into full-sized sculptures. In addition to
making stone sculptures, the ancient Greeks used bronze as one of their chief material for
creating artworks and figurines (Dillon, 2017). This is one of the most important aspects that
separates classical Greek art from all other styles found throughout history. The Greeks were
so skilled in their craft that they were able to create sculptures that were looked upon for
centuries after their deaths. Many artists today still look to the works created by the ancient
Greeks as a source of inspiration and guidance. These are truly some of the greatest artists of
all time and will be forever recognized as such.
Styles, Materials and Techniques in Ancient Greek Sculpture
The ancient Greeks were also a very advanced civilization, with a way of life that was
advanced beyond what anyone was doing at the time. Their architecture was one of the most
advanced, and their use of materials was something that had never been seen before. This is
also true for their art work. Ancient Greek sculpture began as early as around 3200 BC or so,
however it wasn't until around 530 BC that we started to see the technology used in creating
sculptures start to grow in complexity and detail. Greek sculptors learned both stone carving
and bronze-casting from the Egyptians and Syrians, while the traditions of sculpture within
Greece were developed by the two main groups of settlers from Thessaly – the Ionians and
Dorians. The Early Greeks were able to create a number of different things, including
wooden statues and columns made out of several different materials (Jenkins, 2006). The
most common materials used to create these sculptures were marble and limestone. These are
very hard and sturdy minerals which allowed for incredible detail to be added into the
sculptures without them breaking or losing their form over time. The unique styles found in
Greek art are often seen as the most important aspect. They have been widely copied and
used by artists all over the world and continue to influence the creations of today.
The Greeks also had a keen sense of form, and were able to create sculptures that
blended various styles together together in a cohesive way. This gave Greek sculpture a very
distinct look and feel that has not been duplicated since. In many instances, these styles were
seen as being more mature than what was seen in other parts of the world at this time. The
detail was incredibly smooth, yet still had a sense of essence surrounding it (Fullerton, 2016).
While many people think that Greek sculpture doesn't have much variety, this is not true at
all. The ancient Greeks were always looking for new and interesting ways to bring the spirit
of their gods and goddesses, along with their stories, to life.
What the Ancient Greeks Did for the Art of Sculpture
The ancient Greeks relied on a number of different materials in order to create and
carve sculptures that were at least partly made out of stone. They had a great understanding
of how these materials reacted under various conditions, which allowed them to use their
resources in the most efficient way possible. The artists did not simply go out and hunt down
stones themselves; they also used limestone quarries and fired earth/clay/sand into bronze
molds which would then be melted down into silver or gold statues later on. The ancient
Greeks also used a number of different metals in order to create sculptures. They would first
form the metal into the desired shape, and then pour molten bronze into a mold to be formed.
The same was true for silver and gold. The artists took great care when it came to these
metals as they didn't just want a single statue, but instead wanted sculptures that would last
for generations to come (Jenkins, 2006). They did this in order to ensure that the many myths
and legends surrounding their gods and goddesses would never be forgotten. Their styles of
art were used by artists all over the world, and are one of the main reasons that they continue
to be so widely copied.
A notable aspect of the ancient Greek sculptors was their ability to create full-sized
statues that were life-sized. This is something that saw a great deal of use in later artists
throughout history, but it was often used even more so by the ancient Greeks. The statues
were not only made to look lifelike; it was also important for them to have a sense of being
"alive". Some even had hair and fur, as well as tongues and ears. By adding these small
details, Greek sculptures had some very special effects. The ancient Greeks also had an
incredible understanding of how to work with multiple materials in order to create extremely
realistic sculptures (Gunther, 2019). They used whatever was needed in order to achieve the
results they were looking for. This helped them create some of the most intricate sculpted
items in history. In essence , the ancient Greeks created true art. Their sculptures had a sense
of excellence that was rarely seen before, and has inspired artists throughout history. It is
because of their contributions to the sculpting world that many people are able to enjoy
sculptures today.
References
Dillon, S. (2017). Approaches to the study of Greek sculpture. The Diversity of Classical
Archaeology, 1, 223-234.
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Fullerton, M. D. (2016). Greek Sculpture. John Wiley & Sons.
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