From ABC-CLIO's World History: Ancient and Medieval Eras ...



From ABC-CLIO's World History: Ancient and Medieval Eras website



Classical Style in Art and Sculpture (Overview)

One of the most influential contributions to Western art came out of the classical period (480–338 BC) of ancient Greece. Scholars consider that period as the one during which Greek sculptors and painters developed innovative new techniques to integrate a sense of movement and humanity to their artwork, forever defining "classic" notions of perfection in Western artistic representation. By examining the hallmarks of Greek art from that period, historians are able to better understand the aesthetic sensibilities of ancient Greeks.

Shifting Paradigm

During the classical era, there was a dramatic shift in artistic practice in Greece. Before the fifth century BC, Greek art, particularly sculpture, imbued human forms with a stern rigidity. In the classical era, however, Greek artists began to create works that were more realistic and lifelike. Poses were more natural, figures displayed pronounced musculature and fine anatomical detail, and balance and harmony were achieved through artful asymmetry.

Freestanding Sculpture

Although most examples have been lost to time, there are a large number of surviving sculptures that modern historians are able to study. Many Roman copies of classical Greek sculptures exist as well, since the Romans held that particular Greek style of art in high regard.

Such fifth-century-BC Greek sculptors as Myron and Polyclitus merged a sensibility of relaxation and ideal beauty with a new fluidity in their work. In their depictions of athletes, deities, and historical commemorations, those artists introduced the Greek ideal of the physically fit body into their pieces by combining specimens representing the epitome of perfection with naturalistic studies of muscles and bone structure. For example, in the statue Doryphorus (Spear Bearer) by Polyclitus, the viewer is treated to the aesthetic notion of physical perfection held by the Greeks; at the same time, however, examination of the musculature reveals tension and relaxation that corresponds perfectly with the position and stance of the subject. That was an innovation of the classical era that was widely admired by the Greeks and their successors.

Architectural Sculpture

Throughout the classical period, Greek sculptors were also involved with a variety of monumental architectural projects. Adopting naturalistic approaches in the presentation of the gods, such artists as Phidias and the unidentified "Olympian Master" created stunning images at the Parthenon and the Temple of Zeus.

Both of those men employed a new mastery of relaxed poses, breaking down traditional representations of the gods as tense, stiff figures. That related directly to the Greek concept that the gods were anthropomorphic in nature. Moreover, they utilized, to great effect, a variety of human emotions on the faces of the gods. That cast an element of personalization and humanity onto their sculptures in a way that had not been depicted in earlier Greek art. The overarching sense of their work, however, was an emotional calm.

Later Styles

The late classical era and the Hellenistic period that followed saw further innovations. One of the most important elements in that style was the increasing depiction of actual individuals in addition to idealized types. Human forms—in sculpture especially—were rendered to bear a strong resemblance to the person who sat for the artist. A high degree of sensuality was also introduced. That was particularly the case in sculpture wrought from marble, where the artist could very meticulously recreate the luster and look of skin. An excellent example is Greek sculptor Praxiteles' statue of the Greek goddess Aphrodite, best represented by the Roman copy known as the Venus de Milo. That statue has captivated people for centuries with its subtlety, realism, and idealism. The Hellenistic period is also noted for its emotionally charged style, depicting bold and sometimes violent gestures and movement.

Classical Greek art continues to be highly regarded, not only for its sublime execution, but also for the window it provides on the society from which it came. Images of idealized beauty, coupled with naturalistic renderings of the body, illustrate the concurrent concerns for humanity and standardization present in ancient Greek culture. Although most examples of Greek art have been lost over time, the works that have survived provide people today with a priceless remnant of the Greek legacy on Western civilization.

MLA Style Citation:

"Classical Style in Art and Sculpture (Overview)." World History: Ancient and Medieval Eras. 2009. ABC-CLIO. 25 Jul. 2009 .

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