Greek Post 1

Greeks used art to shape their civilization and show others what it meant to be Greek. They were, and still are, a very prideful society and much of their art proves that. For example, many of the sculptures of human figures that have survived are of nude. Greeks admired the human form and did anything in their power to perfect it.



The above sculptures are two we discussed in class. What I found fascinating was the difference between how the Greeks portrayed the male and female form during this time period. Both sculptures were created between 600-500 B.C.E in or near Athens, which was a period and location of social inequality. As we can see in the above photos, the sculpture of the man is of one who stands tall and rigid, and more obvious, nude. The woman on the other hand has a much softer stance with a slight smile and is fully clothed. The male form was much more celebrated than the female, including while working out at the gym and at the very first Olympic games. Men in Athens also enjoyed the benefits of Greek citizenship, while women on the other hand was merely included in the society. I think this type of art also serves as a type of propaganda art. Obviously not propaganda art like the Victory Stele of Naram-Sin, but propaganda art in the way that it reminded women in Athens that they were not equal to men. 
On the other hand, they Greeks viewed their goddesses as very important and worthy of respect. Athena for example was one such goddess. She has been displayed in many works of art including paintings, sculptures, and even in the pediment of the Parthenon, one of the most famous structures in the world built specifically for her. However in many works of art she is seen in battle settings which I believe added a touch of masculinity to her persona. One could ask if perhaps that was a way Greek artists could portray a woman in a powerful role usually reserved for a man but not flat out admit that everyday women could be a powerful figure herself. 

 Sampson, Nicolas D. Athens: From Democracy To Hemlock - 6. The Golden Age. 2011. Photograph. UrbanTimes, n.p.

Also noteworthy, the nudity in Greek art was understood to distinguish them from other ancient cultures that they viewed as barbaric. 

Hemingway, Colette. "Women in Classical Greece". In Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History. New York: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 2000-. http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/wmna/hd_wmna.htm (October 2004)