Western History 32: How did Art develop in Ancient Greece?

The Greek contribution to Western Art cannot be understated. In fact its impact appears globally especially in the Hellenic Period is significant influencing cultures as disparate as India and Japan. Areas of strength centered on sculpture and architecture. The following table is a sample of several distinct styles that were introduced with specific examples that exemplify each one of them. This table is not intended to be inclusive of all styles (which is a vast field on its own) but is more of an appetizer for a great tradition.

Table 9 Some Mainstays of Greek Art and Architecture

Style Type	Style Example	Point of Note
Black-Figure Technique also Sister Red-Figure Technique	Pottery techniques are seen on many amphoras and Bowls. Artists were often skilled slaves. Various rich collections in museums across Europe (particular Munich and Berlin).	Pottery Styles popular between the early 7th century BC going forward to 530 BC.
Monumental Sculpture – Three Periods – Archaic, Classical and Hellenistic.	Archaic c. 700-500 BCE eg. Lady of Auxerre Classical c. 500-300 BCE Emphasis on Naturalistic Form. Eg. Venus Braschi by Praxiteles Hellenistic – c. 300 BCE-100 BCE. Blending of cultures. More diverse portfolios eg.Winged Victory of Samothrace, Greco-Buddhist frieze at Gandhara and the Venus De Milo.	Sculptures were made of a high quality limestone and were carved using metal implements. Some were free standing. Others served as reliefs. Bronze sculptures made use of the Lost wax technique.
Wall Painting + Panel Painting	Symposium Scene – Tomb of the Diver at Paestum. Pitsa Panels	Often used in Grave decorations as well as resident and Temple Walls, Greek Wall Painting span a time scale going from the Minoan Age to the onset of the Hellenic
Polychromy – Painting on Stonework.	Trojan archers from the Temple of Aphaia, Aegina.	Painting made use of bright colours and were designed to enhance the visual appeal of the Architecture.
Coin Design	Macedonian tetradrachm with image of Heracles.	Not seen by the Greeks as a major art form but its presence is noteworthy. Extensive use of portraits. Many techniques were borrowed from the Persians.
Architecture	Three defined order differentiated by Column Type Doric (Earliest form) – Simple circular capitals at the top of columns eg. Parthenon Triglyphs/Temple of the Delians. Ionic – column capitals contain volutes (spirals) eg. Erectheum. Corinthian (Latest form)  - Ornate capitals. Impacted Renaissance Art. eg. Arch at Ancona/Column at Phocas.	Tremendous tradition that spans the period from 900 BCE to 100 CE.  Strong emphasis on Temples, open air theatres, monuments and council buildings. Many buildings in the US have coped these Greek styles with respect to columns eg. Western and Southern Life Insurance Building in Cincinnati.