Classical period of Greek and Roman art

Classical Period of Greek and Roman Art

Statue of Zeus at Olympia, by Phidias:

Pausanias the Greek's description of the Statue of Zeus at Olmpia, by Phidias is invaluable to society today, as little more than splendid scraps are left of this work known as one of the Seven Wonders. Pausanias states, "On his head is a sculpted wreath of olive sprays. In his right hand a figure of Victory made from ivory and gold. In his left hand his scepter inlaid with all metals, and an eagle perched on the sceptre. The sandals of the god are made of gold, as is his robe. His garments are carved with animals and with lilies. The throne is decorated with gold, precious stones, ebony, and ivory." (qtd. Ashmawy).

Phidias began work on the statue around 440 BC, using the technique he had developed earlier to build enormous gold and ivory statues. A wooden frame was erected first, with sheets of metal and ivory then placed to provide the outer covering.

When complete, the statue barely fit inside the temple. The base of the statue was approximately 20 feet wide and 3 feet high, with the height being approximately 40 feet tall. Ut was this impressive size that gave the statue the wonderful king of gods feel. Because of the proportions, much of the descriptions described the throne as opposed to Zeus himself. The throne was decorated in sphinxes and winged figures of Victory, with other Greek gods and mythical figures adorning the scene. Sadly, not even the replicas made have survived to present day (Ashmawy).

Athena Parthenos by Phidias:

The Parthenon was a temple built on the Acropolis of Athens. It is likely that the name 'Parthenon' comes from Phidias' sculpture Athena Parthenos.

Again, the modern world can turn to Pausanias' description. "The statue of Athena is upright, with a tunic reaching to the feet, and on her breast the head of Medusa is worked in ivory. She holds a statue of Victory about four cubits (six feet) high, and in the other hand a spear; at her feet lies a shield and near the spear is a serpent" (qtd.Delaney). Historians estimate the impressive statue to have contained 44 talents of gold, which is the equivalent to more than 2,500 pounds.

Doryphoros by Polycleitos:

The Doryphoros, commonly referred to as "Spear-Bearer" is one of the most well-known pieces of ancient Greek sculpture. Pliny described Polyceitos' work as becoming the standard of model statues, perfecting the art of sculpting, with the model in the chiastic pose. "He also made what artists call the 'Canon' or Model Statue, as they draw their artistic outlines from it as from a sort of standard; and he alone of mankind is deemed by means of one work of art to have created the art itself" (qtd. "Doryphoros").

Polycleitos sought to develop a complex mathematical model for the balance of the human body figure, specifically the heroic male nude, with each unit thus dictating the proportion of the next. It is the Doryphoros that is said to demonstrate those tenets.

Maenad in Dresden by Scopas:

Scopas was a Greek sculptor and architect. Many ancient writers ranked him with Praxiteles and Lysippus as one of the late Classical period's major sculptors. He was noted for his expression of powerful emotions as an artistic theme. This is true in his Maenad sculpture in Dresden. This was a freestanding sculpture and one of his most noteworthy ("Scopas"). Kallistratos describes Skopas' Meanad thusly,

Skopas, as if moved by some inspiration, imparted to the making of his statue the divine frenzy that possessed him. Why should I not describe to you from the beginning the inspiration of this work of art? The statue of a Maenad, wrought from Parian marble, has been transformed into a real Maenad. For the stone, while retaining its own nature, yet seemed to depart from the law which governs stone; what one saw was really an image, but art carried imitation over into actual reality (qtd. Lahanas)..

Herakles by Lysippos:

Herakles was a bronze statue, believed to be life-sized or even larger, of Herakles leaning on his club, after supporting the weight of the heavens on his shoulders. The apples of Hesperides are in his hand, behind his back. It is believed that Lysippos sculpted the statue for Sikyon or Argos, or perhaps even a copy for each city, and was cast around the time of Alexander the Great's death. During the early Hellenistic period, a version was made for Athens, and around 200 BC, a baroque styling was created for Pergamon. These and later recreations were created in various medias and scales, from colossal to miniature. "The Lysippic Herakles stood as a symbol of the cares, imperial, civic, and even spiritual, which the pagan ancients and their Judeo-Christian successors carried on their shoulders" (Vermeule 323).

Hermes Carrying the Infant Dionysus by Praxiteles:

The marble statue, Hermes Carrying the Infant Dionysus, was believed to be created between 350-330 BC (or perhaps a fine Hellenistic copy of his original was created at this time). At a height of 2.15 meters, the statue is only slightly larger than an average man. It is currently housed in the Archaeological Museum, Olympia, in Greece ("Hermes"). Made of Parian marble, this statue is the only original work of Praxiteles to have survived. It was found at Olympia, intact, on his base, several meters under ground. The sculpture is known as 'the diamond of Olympia' and represents Hermes holding the infant Dionysos who is trying to take something from his hand. Praxiteles forewent symmetry in order to give his statue life. Looking from the left, one sees a sorrowful look on Hermes' face, yet on the right he is smiling, and face-on he appears to be calm (Papakyriakou/Anagnostou).