Greek Art of the Golden Age Pg.1 Greek Art of the Golden Age Pg.1 In 400 B.C. Greece entered a new era of cultural progress called the Golden Age of Greek culture. In 400 B.C. Greece entered a new era of cultural progress called the Golden Age of Greek culture. Teacher and artists came from around Greece to make Athens a center of learning and artistic achievement. Teacher and artists came from around Greece to make Athens a center of learning and artistic achievement.

Architecture Athens showed their pride through their temples, gymnasiums, and theatres. Athens showed their pride through their temples, gymnasiums, and theatres. Artists normally decorated these structures with their finest sculptures. Artists normally decorated these structures with their finest sculptures. In Athens a high hill called an Acropolis was the center of the original city-state with a bronze statue of the goddess Athena nearby. In Athens a high hill called an Acropolis was the center of the original city-state with a bronze statue of the goddess Athena nearby. Pg. 2 Pg. 2

At the top of the Acropolis stood the Parthenon which was built in honor of Athena. At the top of the Acropolis stood the Parthenon which was built in honor of Athena. The Parthenon had doors but very few windows because they were built as shrines to honor gods, not as meeting places for worshippers. The Parthenon had doors but very few windows because they were built as shrines to honor gods, not as meeting places for worshippers. Inside the Parthenon stands a large statue of Athena made of ivory and gold that stands about 38 ft high. Inside the Parthenon stands a large statue of Athena made of ivory and gold that stands about 38 ft high. Pg. 3

Painting Painting was an important form of art in ancient Greece, however, most original artwork has been lost or badly damaged. Painting was an important form of art in ancient Greece, however, most original artwork has been lost or badly damaged. The best preserved Greek paintings are found on vases. The best preserved Greek paintings are found on vases. Greek artists painted scenes from everyday life as well as mythological events. Greek artists painted scenes from everyday life as well as mythological events. Pg. 4

Sculpture Original works of Greek sculpture, like paintings, are rare today. Original works of Greek sculpture, like paintings, are rare today. We know most about Greek sculpture from studying copies made during Roman times. We know most about Greek sculpture from studying copies made during Roman times. Greek sculpture shows Egyptian influence. Greek sculpture shows Egyptian influence. Early Greek sculptures were highly structured, showing stiff unnatural poses with arms straight and down by their sides Early Greek sculptures were highly structured, showing stiff unnatural poses with arms straight and down by their sides Pg. 5

During the Golden Age of Greece in the 400’s B.C. Greek sculptors were creating figures that were more lifelike. During the Golden Age of Greece in the 400’s B.C. Greek sculptors were creating figures that were more lifelike. Myron and Phidias were two of history’s greatest sculptors. Myron and Phidias were two of history’s greatest sculptors. Myron sculpted the famous Discus Thrower. Myron sculpted the famous Discus Thrower. Phidias created the statues of Athena and the statue of Zeus at the Temple of Olympia standing near 40 ft high. Phidias created the statues of Athena and the statue of Zeus at the Temple of Olympia standing near 40 ft high. Pg. 6

Praxiteles lived about 100 years after Phidias and sculpted figures that were more lifelike and natural in form and size. Praxiteles lived about 100 years after Phidias and sculpted figures that were more lifelike and natural in form and size. Nature of Greek Art Nature of Greek Art Artistic styles expressed Greek ideals in four ways during the Golden Age of Greece. Artistic styles expressed Greek ideals in four ways during the Golden Age of Greece. 1) Greek art glorified human beings 2) Art of the Golden Age symbolizes Greeks’ pride in their city-states. 3) Art expressed Greek beliefs in harmony, balance, order, and moderation. 4) Art expressed Greek belief in combining beauty and usefulness.