Period Extras

Song

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IHWeuQyFouo

Well, you can tell by the way I use my walk
I'm a woman's man, no time to talk

Story Behind Art

Doryphoros (Spear Bearer), also known as Achilles, was used to exemplify its maker's new idea and his style. The statue was made by Polykleitos as a representation of the canon of proportions he developed, called The Canon, which used mathematical terms to explain proportions in any statue built by that set of rules.  In addition, contrapposto is introduced, meaning the angle of his hips is balanced by an equal and opposite tilt of the shoulders, and his weight bearing and free parts alternate, making Doryphoros look natural and balanced.  This is strikingly different from the erect, direct positions of Archaic statues.  Furthermore, the statue carries other hallmarks of the Classical period, such as the lack of the Archaic smile.  The Spear Bearer looks off into the distance and away from the spear he used to hold, which encourages the viewer to inspect the sculpture from all sides, while it seems Archaic statue is mostly to be viewed frontally.  The artwork is generally more detailed and accurate than that of the preceding period, although features are still generalized.  However, in general this is an excellent work to depict the art style of the Early Classical period. 

Source: Stokstad Art History 3rd Edition, http://www.sikyon.com/Sicyon/Polykleitos/polycl_egpg1.html

Video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aU81g9wmg8Q

Art Works - Early Classical

This is the marble Roman replica of the original Doryphoros (Spear Bearer).
Source: faculty.etsu.edu/kortumr/07hellenicgreece/htmdescriptionpages/22doryphoros.htm

This is what Doryphoros (Spear Bearer) would probably have looked like originally.
Source: www.caitloon.com/greeksculpture.html/

Early Classical Period

History: 480 - 450 BCE. In the mid-fifth century BCE, Greek cities in Ionia were incorporated into Cyrus the Great's Persian Empire.  Therefore, Miletos led the Greek city-states of Asia Minor in a revolt, which began a tumultuous period of warfare between Greeks and Persians.  Finally, in 490 BCE the Athenians drove off the Persians at the mainland town of Marathon.  As a result, marathons today are in rememberance of the man who ran over 26 miles from Marathon to Athens to tell of the victory then died of exhaustion as he gasped out those final words.  However, in 480 BCE, the Persians returned with a vengeance and destroyed several cities, including Athens.  To counter this, the city-states, led by Sparta and Athens, united on land and sea and triumphed.  Athens emerged as the leading city-state from about 480 to 450 BCE, and some suspect their victory against Persia was the factor that accelerated their artistic development.

Artists: Polykleitos

• Develops "The Canon" to mathematically balance figures' proportions
• Uses contrapposto (described below)

Art:

• Figures are now more relaxed and natural
• Contrapposto-the use of balancing weight-bearing and free parts-is introduced

Patrons:

• Seek strong, heroic figures and stories in art

Period Extras

Song

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YfbZvtfKdpY

I'll take you on.
And strike you with desire of fault lines
No clutch, no storm.
I can bind you with no ties and leash, and watch you fall.

Story Behind Art

Lapith Fighting a Centaur is one of 92 action reliefs adorning the Doric frieze of the Parthenon.  It is from the south side, which was mainly composed different battles between a lapith and a centaur to represent entire events.  The story behind it is that Peirithous, king of the Lapiths, invited the centaurs to his wedding.  The centaurs became drunk and attempted to abduct the bride Hippodameia and other women.  A war began, and in the end the Lapiths drove the centaurs out of Thessaly.

Source: http://www.timelessmyths.com/classical/lapithwar.html

Art Works - High Classical

Lapith Fighting a Centaur

Source: tagdesignstudios.com/Teachitalhistfinal/Greek-structures/Greek-structures-Pages/Image64.html



High Classical Period

History: about 450-400 BCE, during the time Sparta was dominating the Peloponnesus and Athens the Aegan.  This was essentially Athens's Golden Age, and the political leader Perikles was a major patron of the arts, which led to the creation of some of the greatest works that pervade even present-day models.

Artists: Pheidias

• Used more active poses
• Used cloth for backdrop or added detail

Art:

• Bigger and bolder
• Somewhat more active designs

Patrons:

• Perikles said, "Future generations will marvel at us, as the present age marvels at us now."
• Big, bold, and beautiful to display Athenian power

Period By Song

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NRCkAumK5b4