Research Task Journal: Iconism
I have decided to choose an interesting and unique religion for my research on this journal, as I
believe its style and messages have also heavily inspired other religions in their illustrations of their
beliefs also. The religious illustrations that I have chosen to focus on is Greek mythology, which is
more specifically known as Hellenism. This was the belief of the Greek Gods and practising its
ancient Hellenic values and virtues as well. It’s difficult to pinpoint exactly when Greek mythology
was founded but historians estimate it somewhere around 1200 B.C. It’s clear to see, then, the
impact it’s had on art and religion ever since.
The Greeks used objects such as pottery to portray what they believed their Gods and Olympus
would look like. The main material used to make this pottery was clay, but sometimes a rare clay
was used called Attic clay as it gave off an orange-red colour. When decorating the pottery, the
common tool used was black paint which helped to create the figures and patterns and made them
stand out. When viewing the pottery illustrations of mortal men compared to the illustration’s you
can sense slight differences, which show how they believed the gods were different from
themselves.
The surface of this vessel, the figure of Hermes is characteristically
dressed in traveling clothes with a chlamys (short cloak), a petasos
(broad-brimmed hat), winged sandals, and a kerykeion (herald's staff)1
Arguably the reason why depictions of Greek Gods featured lots of clothing and
iconic tools was to make them appear grander than a regular person. The idea
was that a God has more power than humans and thus more possessions. Gods
are not savages or primitive in any way; they wear cloaks, they are elite.
However human only carrying very little clothing and weapons showing how
ape like we are compared to god.
Figure 1 Attributed to
the Tithonos Painter
The Greeks are also famous for creating iconic sculptures of their Gods, goddesses and men.
Sculpture was a very popular art form in Greek mythology, with the male figures often shown to
represent either a Greek God or a soldier. Women, alternatively, were shown as goddesses or, in
some cases, sexualised women. Sculpture was important to the Greeks, always an advanced society,
because it allowed them to lift art from the page and create life-size, 3D works.
One of the most iconic sculptures in Greek mythology is ‘Hermes and the Infant
Dionysus’, which Is a great example of how artists wanted to depict Greek Gods
as physically perfect.
Considered to be a “sensual” artist, Praxiteles is said to have represented
with refinement the feminine body and the body of theephebe, the
Figure 3
somewhat effeminate young man.2
It can be argued that when the artist was creating this sculpture he believed lust Figure 2 Hermes
and the Infant
and sexuality was the best emotion to depict this. The sculpture captures
Dionysus
Hermes’ characteristics by showing his youthfulness and strength, suggesting a
kind of physical perfection. In sculptures such as figure 2 there is always some kind of motion the
figure is performing, as figure 2 tells the viewer that Hermes the messenger is delivering this god
1
(unknown). “THE METROPOLITAN MUSEUM OF ART” http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/works-ofart/25.78.2/ (19.01.2016)
2
(unknown). “UNIVERSITY OF SASKATCHEWAN” http://www.usask.ca/antiquities/our-collection/greek/classical-greek/sculpture/hermes-with-the-infant-dionysus/index.php (19.01.2016)
baby to his mother. This suggests the artist wanted to deliver more realism of the gods as they are
active beings who have never a dull moment in their lives, this shows how wonderful the Greek Gods
are.
However, it wasn’t just the Greeks who took an interest in the Gods and the consequent heroic
tales. Countless artists from different centuries have covered this kind of mythology through
illustration. During the Renaissance (a time of great change in the art world) many artists, either
overtly or covertly, depicted Greek mythology in their work, often with new insight.
Here too is represented a ferocious fight between the hero, his body tensed into an agile,
muscular mass and the legendary multi-headed monster. The outlines are very sharply
defined, and the movement of nerves and tendons observed down to the last detail.3
‘Hercules and Lerna Hydra’ by Antonio Del Pollaiuolo, shows the male form in relation to great
strength and courage. Hercules is shown to be battling some kind of monster
[Hydra] with no element of fear. He also carries his large iconic club (again a sign
of strength). As is common in depictions of Gods of strength (Hercules, Ares et
al) the groin is covered so as not to distract from the brute strength of the
figure.
Perhaps the most telling aspect of the illustrations of Greek mythology is how
the artist clearly wants to display images of great emotion and this, of course,
often means the viewer feels similar emotions when looking at them. There is a Figure 4 Hercules and
definite sense of awe when viewing these iconic images. There is little doubt in the Hydra by Antonio
my mind that Greek mythology has helped shaped the way Christianity has been Del Pollaiuolo
portrayed. I also feel that the Gods could be seen as the embodiment of the
‘seven deadly sins’. Hades, for example, could be seen to represent Greed, while Ares would be
Rage. Similarly, Aphrodite would be Lust and Zeus; Pride. It’s also noticeable how the colouring in
the renaissance paintings helps create and define personality in its subjects.
3
Krén, E and Marx, D. “WEB GALLERY OF ART”
http://www.wga.hu/html_m/p/pollaiol/antonio/painting/hydra.html (19.01.2016)