Art 1-13a—Ancient Greek & Roman Art Descriptions
Ancient Greek and Roman Art Descriptions
1-13c—Picture: Geometric Pottery
Greek pottery, 850 BC, Terracotta clay, height 42 5/8 inches. A geometric
style of pottery with very angular shapes and designs in black paint. The top
of the vase’s neck has the famous meander design. This larger funeral pot
marked the grave of an ancient Greek citizen.
1-13d—Picture: Corinthian Jug – Black Figure Technique
Ancient Greek Jug, 620 BC, Made in Corinth, Greek, Terracotta clay, Black
Figure Period. The black figure technique, with added red and white details
originated in Corinth during the early 7th century BCE. This jug
1-13e—Picture: Greek Pottery – Red Figure Technique
Ancient Greek flask called a lekythos, Terracotta Clay, height 11 1/8 inch. A
young woman plays a double-reed wind instrument wearing typical Greek
robes, shoes, and jewelry. Behind her is the case for the instrument and in
front of her is a chair with a fringed cushion. This flask would have held
precious perfumes or oils due to the small opening at the top.
1-13f—Picture: Parthenon in Athens, Greece
The Parthenon is a temple built on the Athenian Acropolis, Greece,
between 447 and 432 BC. It’s Ancient Greek architecture in the finest
“Doric order” design. Doric is the most simple of all the classical
designs. The Parthenon is the most important surviving building of
classical Greece. The sculptures along the exterior frieze and pediment and inside the
temple are considered the highest examples of Greek art.
1-13g—Picture: Colosseum
The Colosseum, is an oval shaped amphitheatre in the center of the
city of Rome, Italy. It is the largest ever built in the Roman Empire,
and built of concrete and stone. It is considered one of the greatest
works of Roman architecture and Roman engineering.
1-13h—Picture: Nike, Winged Goddess of Victory
The Winged Goddess of Victory, or Nike (means victory), Marble, 2nd century BC.
Since 1884, it has been prominently displayed at the Louvre, Paris and is one of
the most celebrated sculptures in the world. Ancient Greek sculpture celebrated
the perfect human form and highest craftsmanship in marble and bronze.
© 2012 American Heritage Schools, Inc. All rights reserved. Permission is hereby granted for copying of the notebook pages and other online resources for
use by the original purchaser’s own immediate family. No part of this publication may be transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical,
photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the publisher.
Art 1-13a—Ancient Greek & Roman Art Descriptions
1-13i—Picture: Statue of Augusta
Statue of Augustus of Prima Porta, 2.04m (6.7 feet) high, marble, built 1st
Century BC. Augustus Caesar was the founder of the Roman Empire and
its first Emperor, ruling from 27 BC until his death in 14 AD. The statue
was discovered on April 20, 1863, in the city of Prima Porta, near Rome.
The sculpture is now displayed in the Vatican Museums. It is thought to be
a marble copy of a possible bronze original. This original, along with other
high honors, was devoted to Augustus by the Senate in 20 BC and set up in a public
place.
1-13j—Picture: Charioteer of Delphi
The Charioteer of Delphi, 474 BC,also known as Heniokhos (the reinholder),Bronze. The statue was erected at Delphi to commemorate the victory of
a chariot team in the Pythian Games, which were held every four years in honor of
Apollo. It was originally part of a larger group of statuary, including the chariot, four
(possibly six) horses and two grooms. Some fragments of the horses were found
with the statue. When intact, it must have been one of the most imposing works of
statuary in the world. It is considered one of the finest examples of ancient bronze
statues and is now in the Delphi Archaeological Museum
1-13k—Picture: Greek Painting
Pitsa Panels, earliest known Greek panel painting, 600 BC, in Corinthia
Greece. The Pitsa panels, or tablets, are a group of wooden tablets that
depict religious scenes of Greek mythology. Here, the picture shows a
lamb sacrifice to the nymphs with females to the right and musicians playing instruments.
1-13l—Picture: Ulysses Mosaic
Ulysses Mosaic, 3rd Century BC, colored stones, in the temple of
Delos. The mosaic depicts Ulysses on the Odyssey. He is tied up in the
boat so the siren’s call on the island won’t tempt him to stay. Ancient
Roman mosaics of exquisite pictorial scenes, were often quite large and
placed on the floors of temples.
© 2012 American Heritage Schools, Inc. All rights reserved. Permission is hereby granted for copying of the notebook pages and other online resources for
use by the original purchaser’s own immediate family. No part of this publication may be transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical,
photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the publisher.
Art 1-13a—Ancient Greek & Roman Art Descriptions
© 2012 American Heritage Schools, Inc. All rights reserved. Permission is hereby granted for copying of the notebook pages and other online resources for
use by the original purchaser’s own immediate family. No part of this publication may be transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical,
photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the publisher.