Prehistoric and Ancient Greek Art
Venus of Willendorf
A goddess of fertility dating back to the Stone Age, approximately
25,000 BC
Cave Paintings at Lascaux, France
Date from the Paleolithic Age, approximately 17,000 BC
Stonehenge
An ancient site located in Wiltshire, England, believed used for worship and dating back
to 3100 BC. The stones weigh 4 tons, and are 6’6” high.
The Pyramid of Giza and the
Sphinx
• Located outside of
Cairo, Egypt, an
ancient Egyptian
burial site, dating from
2558-2532 BC. The
Sphinx is 240 ft. long
and 66 ft high.
Mask of Tutankhamen
1341-1323 BC
Archaic Greek Sculpture 800-500 BC
• In general, Archaic Greek
sculpture is stylized,
simplified, rigid and
symmetrical (perfectly
balanced).
• Kouros- Statues of young
men in a nude, frontal striding
pose. Left foot forward, head
straight, eyes front, arms straight.
• Kore- Female counterpart of
Kouros with the addition of heavy,
draped garments and braided hair.
Calf Bearer 550 BC. Sculptor Unknown
• Shows unity between
man and beast
through diagonals
formed by the man’s
arms and the calf’s
legs and the
alignment of the
heads. Calf’s
expression and
displaced hair show
realism. Features
Archaic Smile*
Archaic Smile
• A mysterious smile,
flat and unnatural,
believed to suggest
health and wellbeing, or that the
subject is alive.
Classical Period Sculpture 500-400 BC
• General Characteristics: Still formal and
balanced, but more realistic in
presentation. Reflects the principal of
foreshortening. (Elements that are closer
appear larger) Known for the “S” Curve, or
more relaxed “s” shaped stance of human
body.
The Charioteer of Delphi – 474 BC
• Originally made of
bronze and created to
commemorate a
victory in a chariot
race. Trend toward
realism is shown in
the details of the face
and feet, and the
folds in garment and
hem.
The Discus Thrower
460 BC
• The effect of
movement created
through the use of a
real-life model. Shows
expression of inner
feeling and
concentration.
• Example of “S” curve
(Discobolus) by Myron
Hermes and Dionysus by Praxiteles
Late classical- 400 BC
• Detail in facial
expression show
emotion and
playfulness. Faces
are more natural and
expressive and pose
is also more natural.
Hellenistic Sculpture – 400 BC- 146 AD
• General Characteristics – continued trend
toward realism, natural figures, and the
portrayal of inner feelings and experience.
• Included more scenes from daily life, with
less emphasis on religious subjects.
• Honored female beauty for the first time
• Included “dynamic” (moving) rather than
“static” (unmoving) for the first time.
Venus De Milo –Aphrodite of Melos
Alexander of Antioch (?) 100 BC
• Represents an ideal
of female beauty.
Originally decorated
with paint and jewels.
• Example of
“contrapposto” posture, in
which shoulders and
arms twist off-axis from
hips and legs to give a
more relaxed, life-like
stance.
Winged Victory – Nike of Samothrace
200-190 BC Sculptor Unknown
• Although heavily
damaged, it shows
mastery of movement
and form, and is
admired for garments’
rippled effect.
Laocoon by Athanadoros, Hagesandros and
Polydoros of Rhodes 160-20 BC
• Made of white marble,
the statue is known
for the dynamic
grouping of the
figures, clear
depiction of events,
and the expression of
suffering. Greatly
influenced
Renaissance Art.
Vase Painting
• Shows influence of
Egyptian’s formal
style. Figures shown
in profile, eyes to
front. Told stories of
the gods and heroes
in pictures. Also
created to recognize
an occasion, such as
a birth, death or
wedding.
Vase Painting Cont’d.
• During the Classical
period, vases were
first painted white,
then the image was
drawn and painted in
color. Use of darker
and thicker lines
created a 3-D effect.
With the introduction
of metals in the 5th
century, vase painting
died out.