ARTHIST 101D Lecture Notes - Lecture 15: Anavyssos, Siphnian Treasury, Kouros
10 May 2018
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Lecture 15 Greek Hellenistic Art (continued)
February 24, 2015
Source of metals and materials in the ancient world
Tin – Spain
Obsidian (volcanic rock) – accessible in places with volcanic activity
Pergamom alter (175 BCE)
Ionic structure with a frieze
Frieze theme is gigantomachy (theme was also at the Siphnian Treasury)
o High relief because it’s extremely 3 dimensional
Fluted columns
Theatrical poses, deeply-cut eyes, dramatic gazes, figures overlapping
Winged figure is victory Nike, putting the crown on head of Athena
Depiction of Athena is reminiscent of Athena on Parthenon
Epigonos, Gaul killing himself and his wife (from Pergamon) (230-220 BCE)
Gauls are people from the east, barbaric tribe who threatened the Hellenistic states
Defeated enemies depicted in a noble way; choosing death rather than enslavement by
enemies/becoming a POW
Sculpture in the round – meant to be seen from all sides
Exaltation of enemy elevates nobility of the victory over this enemy
Makes more sense in bronze because of the risky projections that can be easily broken off in
marble
Epigonos, Dying Gaul (230-220 BCE)
Noble and dignified facial expression
Sense of psychological defeat and opacity
THE ETRUSCANS
International trade (piracy); sophisticated metallurgy and maritime developments
Strong ties to Asia Minor and the Near East
Herodotus
Recent DNA research suggested that the Etruscans came from Lydia (Asia Minor)
Etruria – Northern Italy (ROME?)
Orvieto, Italy: the Etruscan citadel
Fibula from Cerveteri tomb (650-640 BCE)
Fibula holds cloth together
Created from gold (no gold in Italy) – material may have been fro Egypt via trade or piracy
Corinthian vase (625-600 BCE)
Motif of marching animals (inspired by Mycenaean or Minoan art)
Typical Etruscan temple is made of wood and terracotta, which is why most temples are only
models; none have survived unlike Greek temples which are created from marble
Apollo from the temple at Veii (510 BCE)
find more resources at oneclass.com
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Document Summary
Source of metals and materials in the ancient world. Obsidian (volcanic rock) accessible in places with volcanic activity. Frieze theme is gigantomachy (theme was also at the siphnian treasury: high relief because it"s extremely 3 dimensional. Theatrical poses, deeply-cut eyes, dramatic gazes, figures overlapping. Winged figure is victory nike, putting the crown on head of athena. Depiction of athena is reminiscent of athena on parthenon. Epigonos, gaul killing himself and his wife (from pergamon) (230-220 bce) Gauls are people from the east, barbaric tribe who threatened the hellenistic states. Defeated enemies depicted in a noble way; choosing death rather than enslavement by enemies/becoming a pow. Sculpture in the round meant to be seen from all sides. Exaltation of enemy elevates nobility of the victory over this enemy. Makes more sense in bronze because of the risky projections that can be easily broken off in marble. International trade (piracy); sophisticated metallurgy and maritime developments.
