19 Jul The Art Of Ancient Greece: The Acropolis, And The High And Late Classical Periods
The art of ancient Greece: the acropolis, and the high and late classical periods
After the Persians lost the war, Athens became a political powerhouse in Greece, it dominated the economy, political and culture. The people of Athens had to come up with a way of maintain the power. They therefore came up with confederacy so as to ensure that the freedom of the city of Greek particularly in the coast of Asia Minor and Aegean islands. The members of the Delian League which provided either sum of money and ships that were kept in a treasury on the island of Delos. By means of controlling a strong fleet and funds, Athens was able to slowly transform the originally voluntary members to subjects. Around 454 to 453 B.C, the treasury was moved to Athenian Akropolis. This made the city to become very wealthy and concentered with imperial power. All the male citizens who were considered to be adults were required to be taking part in the election and meetings in the assembly.
(461-429 B.C) Perikles who was considered to be the most adroit and creative statesman, he transformed the Akropolis to become the lasting monument in the newfound politics of Athens, it was the city’s patron goddess. Parthenon symbolizes the sculptural and architectural opulence of Perikles and his building program. Inside the superb Doric temple there stood the colossal gold-and-ivory statute. This statue of Athens was made by Pheidias, the artwork that was employed in this magnificent building turned out to be outstanding over decades. It employed the use of decorations so as to stand out (Hemingways, 2000).
There was however the change of things that around the fourth and the fifth centauries where the representation which conveyed the vitalities of life and the sense of permanence, harmony and clarity. Polykleitos is famous for his contributions and he is famously known for formulating a system that achieved the artistic effects. His piece, which was known as the canon, got lost, but there is one of his peace which is considered to be the most important sculptural, is considered to be the most valued medium for freestanding effigies. Although what is presently know about this piece is through the existing roman texts in the marble.
The attic vase painting, which was mostly done in red techniques which was able to pass the black-figure techniques. With this great strides were made in trying to portray the human anatomy (Boardman, 1995). The works of some of the notable painters included Kleophrades. It is important to note that the expression which was considered to be classical never lasted for long, this is because it was forged at the time of the Persian war. Which continued after the peloponnennesian war.
The war had server effect on Athens, this is because it lost its supremacy and thing turned for the worse when they went through a plague which lasted for almost four years. The supremacy of the city was lost during this time but one thing stood the artistic nature of the city was able to reign.
One of the most beautiful piece of art that has stood out and is considered to be the most innovative sculpture which beard the status of antiquity was the nude sculpture of Aphrodite of Knidos. This was done by Praxiteles, this was considered to be a tenacious break where a female figure was used, and the female figure had initially been considered to be draped (Pollitt, 1990). The figure became a hallmark in the fourth-century because of its slender proportions and distinctive contrapposto posture.
The establishment of Artistic schools played a major role in trying to boost the status of art in Athens. These schools were mostly based on cumulative knowledge, foundation of art and history. The artist were involved in traveling so that they could be able to source for ideas for their next pieces and also to sell their works to other parts of the world.
While the influence of Athens was declining in the fourth century, there were other cities that were emerging as powerhouse when it came to art. This occurred in random and speedy manner, this was through the spread of cultures which were considered to be indigenous. The culture that was relied upon was the Greek culture and most of the Greek artist were employed so as to ensure that this culture is able to be spread.
Macedonia was able to beat Greek at their own game and it became a powerhouse to reckon with. With the coming to power of Alexander the Great who was able to placate Persian Empire, Egypt and western Asia. Alexander had one agenda which was to ensure that culture of arts was cultivated among his people. This saw the development of certain talents. For instance the portrait of Alexander himself which was done by Lysippus, who is considered to be among the talented artists of the fourth century.
After the death of Alexander the great his successor who took after him continued with the same great work that Alexander had continuously sought to employ. His successor took up his preferred style of artistic and the painting that was made on behalf of Alexander the great is what he chose to continue with. He never came with his own artistic style. This was considered as an act of appreciating the efforts that were made by Alexander the great, towards promoting art. The development of art continued to grow in the countries that were bordering Greek to the south.
In summary art is considered to have originated from Greek and its dominance continued after they had won the Persian war. Athens was specifically considered to be the bedrock of artistic development. The artistic skills that was employed by the great men of Athens was outstanding but as the growth of artistic culture grew in and outside Greece they were unable to control. The defeat in which they suffered from gave them a deep blow. This saw the emergence of Nations like Macedonia which developed art to another level.
Reference
Boardman, J. (1995). the late classical period and sculpture in colonies. London: Thomas and Hudson.
Hemingways, S. (2000). The art of classical Greece. Heiburn Timeline of Art History.
Pollitt, J. (1990). Art and Experience in classical Greece. cambrige university press.
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