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

Three Goddesses, Phidias

This is a Classical Greek sculpture of the Greek goddesses Hestia, Dione, and Aphrodite. It was originally part of the Parthenon in Athens. It depicts the strong influence Greek Mythology had on art in the Classical Age. The photo was taken by Joe Crea.

I wonder which goddess is which?

Our Proposal

We will present videos and photos with our own commentary to explore Classical Greek statues and how it influenced the art of the future.