We are going to the Minneapolis Institute of Art tomorrow!

Tomorrow we are going to the MIA to take pictures and footage of Classical Greek Statues. We also plan to research in their library to find more facts information about Classical Greek Sculpture. 

WE ARE SO EXCITED! 

Can't you tell? 

What is with that tree stump?

Right behind the left knee of the Discus-thrower there is a tree stump, and why? We have been puzzled by this feat and weren't quite sure why it was there. Luckily for us we checked out a book from our school library called "Cambridge Introduction to the History of Art: Greece and Rome." In the classical Greek section they explained how the Discus-thrower was pretty fragile and couldn't stand up on its own so a marble tree trunk was constructed to support the ankle and keep it from cracking. 

Pretty cool.

How Classical Greek Art Influenced Hellenistic, Roman, and Renaissance Art

Classical Greek statues had a lasting impact in the world of sculptures. The Hellenistic, Roman, and Renaissance periods were heavily influenced by Classical Greek art. Classical Greek art was idealistic, and so was Hellenistic, Roman, and Renaissance art. 

The top photo is of the famous Venus de Milo, a Roman copy of Aphrodite of Milos, a Hellenistic sculpture. 

The middle photo is a Hellenistic sculpture of Laocoon and his sons being killed by a sea serpent. 

The bottom photo is of David by Michelangelo, the famous Renaissance sculptor and painter of the Sistine Chapel.

Praxiteles

Praxiteles introduced sensuality, grace, and a smooth fluidity to his sculptures. He had a huge influence on Mediterranean art. He was best known for his nude sculpture of Aphrodite, but now only one of his statues remains. In the photo above is his only surviving sculpture, Dionysus and Hermes. 

Myron, muscle-maker

Myron was another influential Greek sculptor. He was known for creating extremely lifelike statues. He studied athletes, and as you can see in the picture above, was able to almost perfectly recreate the muscles, veins, and bones during movement. Myron's style was the basis for the realistic appearance of Classical Greek statues. 

Photo: Corel

Another influential Greek sculptor who studied athletes was Polyclitus, who was famous for his mastery of aesthetics. Sadly, none of his statues have survived the ages. 

Turns out Phidias was important...

Phidias was maybe the most significant classical Greek sculptor. It was believed that he had actually seen the gods, and that his portrayals of them were accurate. He was a pioneer of classical Greek sculpture, and created one of the seven wonders of the ancient world, Zeus at Olympia. His works were monumental and had movement, two things that became characteristics of classical Greek art.

The photo above is another sculpture taken from the Parthenon, which he directed construction of. It depicts Dionysus and three unidentified female figures, most likely goddesses. 

The photo was taken by Joe Crea. 

The Beginning of the Classical Age

                                                                     

The Classical Age was the beginning of the appreciation to gods in the form of sculpture. These god like humans were placed in dramatic scenes with real life positions. Prior to the Classical Age, statues had little to no movement or expression. The period before the Classical Age is known as the Severe Age, where sculptors began to add movement to the statues. Even earlier to the Severe Age, the Archaic Age's statues were basic humans with no action pose or facial expression.   

The top picture is of an Archaic Greek sculpture, Kritias Boy. He is stiff and shows little movement. The photograph below it is of the famous Classical Greek sculpture, Discobolos, by the sculptor Myron. The second sculpture is full of movement, which is typical of Classical artwork.

Classical Facial Expressions

This statue is the "Youth of Anticythera". He has been identified as Perseus from Greek mythology. It has been recognized that the Classical Greeks believed that showing emotion and passion was barbaric. Thus typical Classical Greek statues show little emotion, even in the most dramatic of situations. Showing little emotion was considered noble and dignified.


source:
www.greeklandscapes.com/greece/athens_museum_classical.html