1. Greek Essay Question Greek artists sought a level of perfection that led them continually to improve upon their past accomplishments through changes in style and approach. Identify and describe at least three sculptures that best demonstrate the development of the male or female figure by artists of the Archaic, Classical and Hellenistic periods in Greece. How does each artist illustrate the stylistic characteristics of their period? Include contextualism. Due date: Friday, September 20th No more than two pages in length. Single or double spaced is acceptable. Organize your essay into four paragraphs, one intro- paragraph and three body paragraphs

2. Stylistic Characteristics Archaic Period, 650 – 480 BCE Kore (clothed) or Kouros (nude) Wood, terra-cotta or white marble Freestanding, lifesize or larger Rigid, frontal, striding? pose and proportions of Egyptian Ka sculpture *but Greek artist cut away all stone from around body and was nude *made for commemorative purpose, marked graves and in sanctuaries Head, ovoid with heavy features, schematized hair, eyes large, wide open; mouth forms characteristic closed-lip smile, known as Archaic smile

3. Severe Style/Early Classical, 480 – 450 BCE. more natural life-like qualities Contrapposto Solemn expression, lacks any trace of Archaic smile Action poses with new technique for hollow-casting bronze Classical Period, 450 – 400 BCE. Ideal of human beauty: Based on 5 th century rationalists philosophy-all objects in the physical world were reflections of ideal forms that could be discovered through reason Sculptors selected attributes they considered most desirable, regular facial features, smooth skin, particular body proportions combined into a single ideal of physical perfection Canon of proportion

4. Late Classical Period, 400 – 325 BCE. Challenged and modified standards of 5 th century sculptors new canon of proportions for male figures More sensitively rendered images of men and women Expressions of wistful introspection, dreaminess, or even fleeting anxiety Taste for depictions of minor deities in lighthearted moments Earliest depiction of fully nude women in major works of art Dominated by three sculptorsPraxiteles, Lysippos, and Skopas

5. Hellenistic Period, 325 – 30 BCE. Enormous variety of work in wide range of materials, techniques, and styles Period marked by two broad and conflicting trends: The first (sometimes called anti-classical) led away from classical models and toward experimentation with new forms and subjects (practiced in Pergamon and other eastern centers of Greek culture) The second led back to Classical models, with artists selecting aspects of certain favored works by 4 th century BCE sculptors and incorporating them into new styles

6. I. Introduction – Opening Sentence Anecdote Quotation Generalization – Explanation of opening/Background, leading into Thesis Statement – Thesis Statement Name, Title, Event General argument/description 3+ reasons/examples/categories why your argument is true

7. II. Body Paragraph – Opening Sentence (pertaining to Reason/Theme #1) – Explanation – Evidence/Example A – Explanation of evidence A – Possible evidence B – Explanation of possible evidence B – Mini-conclusion only about Reason/Theme #1

8. III. Body Paragraph 2 – Transitional/ Opening Sentence (pertaining to Reason/Theme #2) – Explanation – Evidence/Example C – Explanation of evidence D – Possible evidence E – Explanation of possible evidence #F – Mini-conclusion only about Reason/Theme #2

9. IV. Body Paragraph 3 – Transitional/Opening Sentence (pertaining to Reason/Theme #3) – Explanation – Evidence/Example G – Explanation of evidence H – Possible evidence I – Explanation of possible evidence I – Mini-conclusion only about Reason/Theme #3

10. V. Conclusion (optional) – Transitional sentence wrapping up paper Return to original anecdote/quotation/generalization – Reconfirm your argument, recounting how you have proven it Write a mini-thesis, this time with more assertion – Possibly throw out a new idea (related to your thesis)