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Man as God and God as Man the rise of Greek and Roman cultures.
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Man as God and God as Manthe rise of Greek and Roman cultures Apollo Belverdere, (original, c. 320 BCE, currently at the Vatican), as he was first found in the 15th century. Fig leaf and arms added in the 18th century. Michelangelo would have seen this sculpture---does it bear a resemblance to any of his works?
Greek Art---where gods and humans meet700-30 BCE What makes this statue appear to be so lifelike? • Focus on the human body (mostly male)—a kouros is a statue of a young man, both human and godlike • Idealized view of perfection • Beauty and calm • Developed proportions of human figure • Rising status of the artist (first names) • Strong artistic influence for many cultures • Pantheon of deities, with mythology mixing human and god-like traits Discus Thrower Myron, c. 485 BCE, Roman copy of Greek bronze; Marble statue at British Museum
Ancient Greece Ancient Greece 3 historical artistic periods: Archaic (700-480 BCE) to the conquering of Persia Classical (480-323 BCE) to the death of Alexander the Great Hellenistic (323-31 BCE) to the death of Cleopatra • Athens seat of power • Democratic society (for men with property) • Polytheistic (but no organized priesthood or church) • Rise of humanism-man is the measure of all things • Studied the world around them--astronomy and other sciences, philosophy, mathematics Parthenon in Athens, 447-432 BCE Greek Temples– Do they resemble any buildings in our area?Were they places of worship? Temple to Athena Nike, Goddess of victory 427 BCE
Classical Period Spear Bearer, c. 440 BCE Polyklettos, bronze original, Roman copy in marble Kritios, c. 500 BCE Roman copy in marble of Greek original -- was it an offering to the gods? Archaic Period Do you see differences in these idealized men? Praxiteles and the S-curve Hermes with baby Dionysus, 340 BCE, Roman copy of bronze original
The Greek Idealwomen finally get some recognition Caryatids hold up the structure Parthenon in Athens, 438 BCE Praxiteles, Aphrodite, 340 BCE His courtesan was his real-life goddess of love, Phyme Athena was 38 feet tall and made of gold, stone, bronze and ivory
Asia Minor Athens Hellenistic Art 323 – 31 BCE Bust of Alexander the Great, Pella Museum, Greece • Rationalism and calm gave way to emotional expression • Scenes of misfortune and suffering • Cosmopolitan empire of many cultures emerges • Alexander the Great (Macedonia, whose father has conquered Greece), conquers Persia, the Holy Lands and Asia Minor (Turkey) • Spread Greek ideas; vigor, action and pragmatism replace idealism • Period lasts from death of Alexander the Great to the death of Cleopatra Macedonia Winged Victory, Pythokritos, marble, 8’, c 200-190 BCE (Louvre, Paris)
Laocoon Group original, c. 160 BCE marble—perhaps copy of an earlier bronze statue--- now at the Vatican Depicts priest who has warned his countrymen of the Trojan horse, but they did not believe him; he and his sons are getting swallowed by an angry sea god, favored by Athena “Beware of Greeks bearing gifts….” What makes this statue active? Emotional? Arm replacement was a wrong guess…fixed in 1950s
How do these statues represent the themes of pathos and action of Hellenistic art? Old Market Woman, now at the Met in NYC Dying Gaul, now found in Rome
Greek culture is copied by the Romans • Greek statues of idealized men fit Roman ideas of democracy • Greek bronzes made into Roman marble copies; need to be reinforced with supports • valuable metal from ancient Greek statues is melted down • Same gods---new names: GREEKROMAN Aphrodite, goddess of love and beauty= Venus Zeus, god of the sky = Jupiter Ares, god of war = Mars Dionysus, god of wine = Bacchus Poseidon, god of the sea = Neptune Athena, goddess of agriculture = Minerva Eros, god of love = Cupid Hades, god of the underworld = Pluto Apollo, god of light and truth = Apollo Hermes, god of messengers = Mercury Nike, goddess of victory = Victoria Original Greek bronze of Poseidon, 5th century BCE, salvaged from a sea wreck, now in the National Museum of Greece Roman statue of Mercury in marble, 1st century CE, now at the Vatican; copy of Greek bronze of Hermes, 4th century BCE
Romans (753 BCE-476 CE) • Hellenistic rule ended by Romans who defeat last empress, Cleopatra in 30 BCE. • Rome under rule of Augustus Caesar in 30 BCE--great conqueror who admired Alexander the Great • Ruled during a time of Pax Romana (Roman Peace) • Roman Empire ruled by emperors • Worshipped pantheon of gods • Women gained some rights--could manage family investments and become artisans • 1st century CE--Rome became the western center of Christianity • Rome fell to the Goths in 476 CE
Etruscan Art—the peoples of Northern Italy, prior to the dominance of the Roman Empire Sarcophagus lid from Vulci, Italy. 4th century, BCE, volcanic stone Describe the line, mass and expressions of these figures. What might the choices made in crafting this sculpture be saying about their lives? The values of the Etruscan society?
Roman Art • Great temples and secular building projects initiated by the emperors--show of power • Art depicted people--emperors, statesmen, family portraits • Sculpture was prized; many copies made of Greek statues • Julius Caesar Augustus (the revered one) was the first ruler of the Roman Empire, 63 BCE – 14 CE also known as Octavius, declared a god upon his death by Roman senate Augustus of Prima Porta, 15 CE., marble, perhaps a copy of a bronze original from 20 BCE, Vatican, polychrome The Roman general is the embodiment of god Apollo, in contrapposto stance. What idealistic values are implied? Cupid, son of Venus, is at his feet. Why, do you think?
Colosseum, 72-80 CE Three levels of seating… doric, ionic and corinthian columns Used as: gladiator stadium, killing 8,000 wild animals; a church and cemetery; a wool factory for prostitutes; a political monument to protect the death penalty Pantheon, 120 CE Oculus acts as a sundial; perfect proportions of a sphere inside a cube
Roman architectural advancements columns, arches, vaults and cement
Greek/Roman Columns and Capitals--- orders to know Doric Ionic Corinthian