AP Art History – UNIT FIVE

Greek Art

“Man is the Measure of All Things” – Philosophical Ideal that influences all Greek Art.

This theme gives us a way to begin to think and talk about the human figure within Greek Art. It also addresses the Greek search for ideal mathematical proportions in the figure and in architecture. We also use the word measure to help us focus on the idea of balance, both in relation to symmetry and in relation to the mind and body.

Key Concepts:

Greek mythology; the Persian and Peloponnesian wars; the Delian League and Pericles; red and black vase decoration and firing methods; the male and female human figure in Greek sculpture; the Canon of Parthenon and the Elgin Marbles; Alexander the Great; theaters; the art and architecture of the Hellenistic period; city planning.

Date / Topic / Works of Art
Wed. 9/3/14 / Archaic Sculpture /
  • Kouros(600-590BCE)
  • Kroisis (540-525 BCE)
  • Kore (630 BCE)
  • Peplos Kore(530BCE)
  • Dying Warrior, West pediment of Temple of Aphalia (Archaic)

Thurs.
9/4/14 / Classical Sculpture /
  • Dying Warrior, East pediment of Temple of Aphalia (Classical)
  • Kritios Boy
  • Myron, The Discus Thrower (Diskobolos)
  • Polykleitos, Spear Bearer (Doryphoros)

Fri.
9/5/14 / Classical Sculpture (Cont.) /
  • Nike Adjusting Her Sandal, from the Temple of Athena Nike
  • Praxiteles, Aphrodite of Knidos
  • Zeus or Poseidon (Bronze)
  • Warriors of Riace A & B(Bronze)

Mon.
9/8/14 / Hellenistic Sculpture /
  • Praxiteles, Hermes and the Infant Dionysos, from the Temple of Hera
  • Statue of an Old Woman(Old Market Woman)
  • Nike of Samothrace
  • Alexandros, Venus de Milo

Tues. 9/9/14 / Hellenistic Sculpture (Cont.) /
  • Rhodes Sculptors, Laocoon and His Sons
  • Seated (Defeated) Boxer (Bronze)
  • Epigonos, Dying Gaul, from Pergamon
  • Athena Battling Alkyoneos, from the Pergamon
  • Altar of Zeus, from Pergamon (Pergamon Altar)

Wed. 9/10/14 / Greek Architecture /
  • Columns & Capitals – Images of each and basic drawing labeled.
  • The Erechtheion (& Porch of Madiens)
  • Polykleitos, Theater
  • Diagram of Greek Temple – labeled.

Thurs. 9/11/14 / Parthenon & Sculpture /
  • Iktinos and Kallikrates, The Parthenon:
    Including ground plan of Parthenon, labeled.
  • Three Goddess, from the Parthenon

Fri. 9/12/14 / Greek Pottery & Painting /
  • Greek Vase styles – Geometric Style
    – Amphora, Krater, Kylix
  • Parts of a Vase Diagram
    (Mouth, Lip, Neck, Shoulder, Body, Foot/base)
  • Diplyon Master
  • Exekias, Ajax and Achilles Playing Dice
  • Battle of Issus (Battle of Alexander and the Persians) – Alexander Mosaic

Fri. 9/15/14 / Practice essays / Test #2 – Units 5-7
Tues. Sept. 30, 2014
Project Due: Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2014

Vocabulary: (39)

Acanthus Leaf; Acropolis, Amphora; Architrave; Bas-relief; Black figure; Canon; Caryatid; Cella; Contraposto; Cornice; Corinthian; Doric; Drums; Entablature; Frieze; Golden Rectangle/Golden Mean/Golden Ratio; Ionic; Kouros (Kore); Krater; Kylix; Lord Elgin; Lost Wax; Meander; Metope; Mosaic; Narrative; Orientalizing; Pediment; Peristyle; Porch; Post-Lintel Construction; Propylaeum; Propylaia; Red figure; Relief sculpture; Trigylph; Volute; Vase;

Additional Resources:


  • (Khan Academy - Good In-Depth overview)
  • Met)
  • (Hellenistic Art)
  • (Overview)
  • (Interactive - British Museum)
  • (BBC)

Other Things to Consider:

  • Compare and Contrast the Archaic Kouros to that of the Ancient Egyptian sculpture of rulers.
  • How is Kritios Boy (Early Classical Period) different than the Archaic Kouros figure?
  • How does Hellenistic Greek Art differ in comparison to its Classical Greek predecessors?
  • How did the rule of Alexander the Great affect the spread of Greek Art?
  • How is Market Woman quite different compared to other Greek sculptures?
  • Explain the 'S-Curve' in sculpture.