Classical_Societies_Essay

Classical Societies Essay Henrietta Stephens HUM/205 University of Phoenix January 23, 2011 Greece culture had a profound influence on civilizations throughout the world. The history of Greek art spans over a period of some 5000 years. During this period artists practiced and attained levels of sophistication that served as examples of order, harmony, balance, and glorification of the human physique. Because of military conquests, Greece could indoctrinate many cultures with its artistic values, and helped lay the foundations for art, literature, theater, architecture, engineering, science, democracy, and many other disciplines. Greece gave birth to ancient western classical art, and its influences are still prevalent today. Classical Greece The Classical period is known as the “golden age” when Greece was in prominence. Greek artists had mastered using marble and stone for statues. Civilization had evolved to the point where democracy and philosophy were important elements in Greek culture. The Classical age was also the first time artists viewed the human body worthy of being immortalized in stone and bronze. Prior to the Classical era, most Greek human statues were male forms, rigidly posed, and displayed only a frontal view of the body. They were also characterized by same emotionless expressions. This was because Greeks believed that suppressing emotion was noble and civilized, and displaying emotions was considered barbaric behavior. In Greece statues were not just for “artistic display, but were pieces commissioned by aristocrats or the State for public memorials, offerings to temples, oracles and sanctuaries, or as markers for graves” (Ancient Greece, 2007, p. 1). Regardless of the age of the person being buried or honored, statues usually illustrated young men. Artists focused on the concept of ideal beauty, piety, and all were stylistically similar. (Ancient Greece, 2007) Artists flourished during Greece’s Classical era and began experimenting with style, and showing humans in more realistic and natural poses. The emphasis was more on showing people as they were. Apoxyomenos (The Scraper) is an example of this shift to more naturalistic depictions of humans. Sculpted by the artist Lysippos during the latter part of the Classical Era, (around 330 B.C.E.), it is a marble statue of an athlete scraping sweat and dirt from his body after completing his exercises. The Scraper demonstrates freedom of motion, and is not overly concerned with displaying a frontal view of the body, and can be seem from all sides. Hellenistic Greece Greece continued to flourish artistically during this period. As a result of the military achievements of Alexander the Great, Greek influence was spread throughout the Mid-Eastern cultures that fell under its conquest. Art became more naturalistic and depicted more common images such as women, children, domestic scenes, and animals. During the invasion of India, elephants were seen for the first time by Alexander and his soldiers. Although art became more diverse because of other cultural influences, many historians believed that originality declined. This was due chiefly to the fact that much of Greek art during the Hellenistic period were reproductions of statues from the Archaic period. The only difference being noted is in the more naturalistic depictions of the subjects. Hellenistic artists used more sweeping lines, and contrasts of light and shadows to show emotions (Greek Art, 2010). There was a move away from the religious and naturalistic to showing more dramatic human expression. Artists took risks and attempted to display the psychological and spiritual, as well theatrical aspects of humans. Unlike its predecessor period that focused on greatness and humility, Hellenistic art demonstrates energy and power. This force is evident in the statute of the Boy Jockey shown below. When looking at this piece, one can see the tension and determination to win in the young boy’s face. Equally evident is the power and energy radiating from the figure of the horse. [pic] FIGURE 1 Boy Jockey, circa 220 B.C.E. Hellenistic Art at the National Archaeological Museum of Athens Etruscan Civilization The Etruscans were an ancient Italic civilization that settled in southern Italy and Sicily. Very little about Etruscan civilization, other than that they had a great deal of contact with Greece. They coveted Greek vases, and much of their pottery work was influenced by Greek potters. They often traded bronze utensils for Greek vases. Most Etruscan architecture shows Greek influence. However, their tombs seemed akin to those of the Egyptians, elaborate recreations of life settings and were filled with many riches. As a result, Grecian tombs were prey for grave robbers, and little evidence of their existence was preserved. Etruscans were master bronze-smiths and Etruscan products were imported up and down the Mediterranean. They created chariots, statues, mirrors, and other items in bronze and the work displayed an astute attention to details. Etruscans were also excellent gem engravers and created all types of jewelry from materials such as ivory, ostrich eggs, semi-precious stones, and amber. [pic] FIGURE 2 Chariot; Etruscan, late 16TH Century from Monteleone, Italy. Bronze. H. 51 1/2 in. (130.8 cm). Rogers Fund, 1903 (03.23.1) This picture of an Etruscan chariot shows their particular skill to work with bronze. It shows Achilles receiving a gift of armor from his mother, Thetis. One side panels shows him engaged in war with someone, and the other shows him in a chariot being drawn by winged horses. Although Etruscans had little use for battle chariots, their mastery in creating them would benefit the Romans, as Etruscan culture exerted a good deal of influence upon Roman culture. This was due to Etruscan culture which was later incorporated into Roman civilization. Roman Republic Early Rome’s government was a monarchy and ruled by a succession of kings. The Roman Republic established a senate and a constitution, however the system was still mainly based on a monarchy so there was much conflict during the beginning stages of the Republic. By this time Rome had conquered Greece and this influenced their art a great deal. However, Romans had a different sense of morality: “The traditional Roman concept of virtue called for old-fashioned morality, a serious, responsible public bearing, and courageous endurance in the field of battle. Prestige came as a result of age, experience, and competition among equals within the established political system. These are the values expressed in portraits of grim-faced, middle-aged men.” (Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History, 2003) It was this sense of morality evidenced in marble busts created during this period. The portrait bust of Julius Caesar (Benton & DiYanni, p. 102) is very realistic because the artist captured all the contours of Caesar’s face. It shows all of his imperfections: the sagginess of the skin from age as well as the crow’s feet around his eyes and mouth. Romans believed that esteem was earned, and a result of age, experience, and holding one’s own among peers. Artists had a responsibility to show the people that the subject was one to be respected because he had fulfilled his civic responsibility to both state and family. Roman Empire Rome was impressed with greatness and art pieces during this period were huge. There were many statues and statuettes of empire rulers. The Ara Pacis is a relief of many figures. Among those depicted are Augustus, wife Livia, sons Gaius Caesar and Lucius, and various officials. The piece was commissionedto commensurate Augustus’s safe return home from war after being away many years and peace for Greece. Ara Pacis was completed at a time when the Roman Empire was beginning to show its first inklings of decline. Slaves outnumbered Roman nobility, whose families were getting smaller. Augustus had passed laws outlawing adultery and initiated taxes meant to antagonize unmarried and childless Roman citizens. It is believed by some historians that Augustus included his family in the relief to promote unity and sanctity of the family, and to encourage Romans to marry and reproduce (Benton & DiYanni, 2008). More important, the Ara Pacis portrayed the imperial family, priests and other dignitaries as Roman citizens, as opposed to being shown as demi-gods that was common in previous periods of Greek art. The profound impact of Greek art on western civilization can be easily demonstrated through its architecture. Many United States public buildings are products of a Greek architectural revival that occurred during 19th century America. Government buildings include: Ohio State Capitol, Columbus, Ohio (1838-61), Courthouse, Newfane, Vermont (1840), and Custom House Tower, Boston, Mass (1913-15). These buildings are still standing today and are examples of the Ionic and Doric styles. In fact, also every metropolitan city in the United States has at least two prime examples of Greek architectural style. References Architecture in ancient Greece (2008). University Press, Inc. Retrieved January 23, 2011 from: http://www.ancientgreece.com/s/Sculpture/ Benton, J. R. & DiYanni, R. (2008) Arts and culture: An introduction to the humanities (3rd ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall. Greek art: The Hellenistic period (31– 31 B.C.E.) (2010). National Museum of Athens series. Retrieved January 23, 2011 from: http://www.greeklandscapes.com/greece/athens_museum_hellenistic.html Hemingway, C. & Hemingway, S. (2004). Etruscan art Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History; New York: The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Retrieved January 20, 2011 from: http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/etru/hd_etru.htm