greek classical

notes.md

@@ -344,3 +344,104 @@ Peplos is the garment worn in ancient greece.
 A rectangular cloth held up by the shoulders and usually with a belt.
 Aidos: Greek for "modesty".
 Sophrosyne: Greek, idea of wisdom thru modesty
+
+---
+
+# Classical greece
+## 600-300BCE
+
+- humanism: interest in human ability and capability, in art, architecture, and all else; "renewed interest in the human body"
+- rationalism: use of reason and logic over emotion; 
+- idealism: ideal version of the human form
+
+3 time periods:
+Early classical (480-450BCE), high classical (450-400BCE), late classical (400-323BCE) 
+
+Largely avoiding greek mythology, as it is quite deep
+
+Most paintings did not survive from the time period, so there are few to look at. 
+Primary sources are sculptures and pottery paintings.
+
+Exekias (potter and painter)
+Ajax and Achilles Playing A Game,
+540-530BCE
+Black-figure painting on a ceramic amphora, height of approximately 2 feet
+Each figure has characters near their mouths, intending to be speech for the game.
+In the myth, Achilles wins the game, and he should be destined to win the battle. 
+However, Achilles dies in the battle, and Ajax, believing that Achilles should have won the battle, committed suicide to appease their destiny.
+
+Euphronios (Painter) and Euxitheos (potter)
+Death of Sarpedon
+515BCE
+Red figure decoration on a calyx krater. Ceramic, height of krater approx. 18 inches; discovered in Rome.
+Opposite side depics generic greek citizens preparing for battle.
+Implied meaning is that death in battle is inevitable if it is your fate, but it is however a noble death.
+
+Douris
+Frolicking Satyrs.
+Red Figure decoration on a psykter (480BCE)
+
+Pediment (Artistic depictions on the entrances of temples, often triangular)
+Trojan War Pediment
+West Pediment of the Temple of Aphaia, Aegina 500-490BCE
+Width of about 49 feet. Surviving fragments assembled.
+Some semblance of hieratic scal remains. 
+To fit into unique shapes, figures were made in stances to keep their scale consistent.
+
+Dying Warrior
+Right corner of the west pediment of the Temple of Aphaia
+Marble, length of approx. 5.5 feet
+Detailed braided hair reminiscent of earlier cultures
+geometric "generic" face; "archaic smile"
+
+Dying warrior
+lefft corner of the east pediment of the temple of aphaia
+marble, length approx. 6"
+Art style has moved on; helm rather than hair, beard, no "archaic smile"; face shape is more realistic
+Realistic art style includes an arm crossing in front of the body, which brings in more of a 3D effect
+
+# Early Classical
+
+Kritios Boy
+From Acropolis, Athens 480BCE. 
+Marble, height of approx. 3 foot 10 inches
+(Kritios is the name of the sculpture, rather than the shame of the sculpture)
+Hair style has changed again
+Improved proportions of the body
+Expression without the generic "archaic smile"
+Features of the face become more realistic.
+Possible to believe that this represented a real, unique individual.
+Stance implies motion, rather than standing in place.
+
+contrapposto: implying weight resting on one leg; shoulders and arms twist off-axis
+more difficult, but more realistic
+literal "set against"
+composition represent movement of a figure
+one weight-bearing legs, one bent, shift in hips and shoulders to avoid stiffness, increase animation and sense of movement
+the parts of the body are placed asymmetrically in opposition to each other around a central axis and careful attention is paid to the distribution of weight; 
+graceful disposition of the parts of the body so that they form sideways axes turning around a central vertical axis; head torso legs arms twisted
+
+Riace Warrior
+found in the sea off Riace, Italy; 460-450BCE
+bronze with bonne and glass eyes; silver teeth and copper lips and nipples; height of 6 foot 6 inches
+Sculpted bronze statue. 
+Most sculptures in classical greek time period were made in bronze, and did not last. 
+Bronze is easier to work with, and can create greater detail.
+Errors in sculpting were also easier to fix than marble.
+Rendering of hair and fibers was much easier.
+
+Cast using Lost Wax methodology
+Wax sculpture over solid core (often clay)
+Heat cast to melt away the wax.
+Pour the bronze back into the form left by the wax.
+
+Symmetria - Relationship of body parts to one another; symmetry of the body
+
+Polykleitos - greek mathematician and sculptor
+Spear Bearer (Dryphoros)
+Roman Copy after the original bronze of 450-440BCE. Height of approx. 6 foot 11 inches
+Support structures exist due to being made out of marble
+
+"Human body is a microcosm of the universe"
+
+