Ancient Greek Art

Paper Summary:

This paper explains that during this period both deities and ordinary mortals were depicted, but there was no homogeneity of technique, which ranged from a very natural and sculptural pottery in amphorae to a more studied and artificial style. The author points out that three of the objects represent tools. The amphora stored wine, the lekythos was used during religious ceremonies, and the krater was used to serve punch made from wine. The paper relates that, unlike the amphora, the lekythos style has only one handle, a more slender neck than an amphora, with a wider mouth, and probably held oil or perfumes, a claim that is advanced because they were often found in and around tombs that were excavated from ancient homes.

Table of Content
Background
Pottery
"The Bateman Amphora"
"The Dipylon Amphora"
"Douris Lekythos"
"Bell Krater"
Statues
"Athlete Making an Offering"
"Kouros"

From the Paper:

"A late example, this torso--which is all that is left is actually less well modeled than the "Athlete". The belly and rib cage, in fact, appear to be stylized, almost abstract. It may be that the work has weathered. But probably, the more geometric, and less curvilinear, detailing on this statue was the result of a transition between the drapery and highly stylized posing of earlier eras, including the "dark times" and the early Archaic period, to the more abundantly natural depictions of the statuary of the Classical period. Kouri, which means "youths," was an art form that didn't last very long, only about a hundred years. It is thought, nonetheless, that they represented gods, warriors and, of course, athletes."

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