ANCIENT GREEK ART

Art is the creation of beauty or thought provoking creations. Art went through a tremendous amount of development in ancient Greece from the archaic to the Hellenistic eras. Much of the development was due to the political and philosophical views of the era. Each era gave way for the changes in the following era.

There have been changes in art such as classical sculptures which were not like archaic sculptures which were an attempt to portray humans warts rather it was an idealization of the human form.

During the archaic period there was a growing elevation of individualism. Individuality and uniqueness, virtually an awareness of self was a main issue within art and philosophy. In archaic Greece there was increased prosperity and mobility this allowed for old ways of life to be overcome and people were more susceptible to finding ones self in other words individuality stood out. Poetry and sculpture show a more personal approach and attention to intellectual and personal detail. Personal feelings were reflected within art. In poetry men and women's sexuality and feelings about sexuality were free territory to discuss a practice which was uncommon prior to this period. Sculpture emerged as a principle form of artistic expression. There were magnificent statues of nude walking youths. Draped female sculptures from the archaic period suggested.

During the Hellenistic period art underwent dramatic transformations and evolved on what was paved previously by the classical artist. In essence the art of each era reflected the eras philosophical standing. Archaic art is a silent witness to the extraordinary development western society was about to undertake. Artist of this period began to express the human figure in a more naturalistic manner. Hellenistic philosophy paid less attention to politics and the prime subject of philosophy was ethic, a discovery of the best way to live. As well philosophy and politics shifted with each new era. However politics was the main topic of discussion especially in such a time of prosperity and political military conflict. Hellenistic art portrayed the changing male attitudes towards women and toward gender issues.

The art of the classical Greek style id characterized by a joyous, freedom of expression and I celebrates mankind as an independent entity. During the Hellenistic period philosophy didnt pay any attention to politics instead it focused on ethics and finding the best way to live, the art of the era focused on emotions and feelings and changing attitudes to better their living styles. The classical period gave way to the experimentation and a sense of freedom that allowed the artist to explore his subjects from different unique points of view. Philosophy at this time was moving away from religion, and concentrated on the awareness of self, philosophy and art had a central focus of self. During the archaic era philosophy focused on self very much like the art of the era.