Ancient Greek Art Lesson
Images and Discussion

A Kouros (from Tenea) Background:  A Kourosis the depiction of a young man. The sculpture of the Kourosrepresents the Archaic style of Greek sculpture which is characterized by a stiff overall form, little facial expression, a frontal pose, and hands and feet which are close to the body. This style of sculpture does not “expand” into three-dimensional space; it is a closed-off, column-like form. Student Discussion: Describe this sculpture. What are some important details that the sculptor did not include in the Kourossculpture? Archaic is one of the earliest forms of Greek sculpture—how can you tell?

The Doryphoros (The Spear-Bearer) Background:  The Doryphoros (Door-if-or-us),the figure of a Greek athlete, represents the Classical style of Greek sculpture which was a progression away from the stiff, column-like pose of the previous Archaic style. The figure of the Doryphoroshas idealized body proportions. This figure stands in contrapposto and expands into the surrounding space. Student Discussion: How would you compare the Classical style of the Doryphorosto the Archaic style of the Kouros? What is contrapposto? (ask students to demonstrate) The sculpted figure of the Doryphorosis idealized—what does that mean?

Athena Lemnia Background:  The sculpture of Athena Lemniaalso represents the Classical style. The Classical period in ancient Greece was marked by achievements in art, literature and architecture. The Greeks believed Athena, goddess of war and wisdom, fought for just causes and protected the Greek civilization. They told myths about her bold adventures. Athens, the Greek capital city, is named for the goddess Athena. Student Discussion: Describe the sculpture of Athena Lemnia. In this sculpture, does Athena look like the goddess of war or the goddess of wisdom? Why? Is this sculpture in the Archaic style or the Classical style? Why?

A Boxer Background:  The sculpture of A Boxerrepresents the Hellenistic style, which developed from the Classical style of sculpture. The Hellenistic style appears more lifelike, shows more emotion, power, and movement. A Boxerexpresses the pride and strength of an exhausted athlete. Student Discussion: Judging from the boxer’s pose, what do you think has just happened to him? Frozen in a particular moment, how do you think this athlete is feeling? What is different between the Classical and Hellenistic styles of Greek sculpture?

Black-figure Neck Amphora Background:  This is a neck amphora, used by the Greeks to hold wine, corn, oil, or honey. Depicted on the amphora is the Greek goddess Athena riding in a four-horse chariot. In the black-figure style, figures shown in silhouette were painted with black glaze and the details were incised, leaving the background the red of the unglazed clay. Student Discussion: What was an amphora used for by the Greeks? What kinds of containers do we use today for this purpose? What do the images on this amphora tell us about the Greek way of life?

Red-figure Column Krater Background:  The krater, a large, wide-mouthed ancient Greek jug, was used to mix wine with water, a popular beverage of the Greeks. Kraters were made in a variety of shapes and sizes. The red-figure style reversed the color scheme of the black-figure style. The background was glazed black and the bare red clay was used for the figure. The scene depicted on the krater is of two athletes and their trainer. Student Discussion: What was a krater used for by the Greeks? Look at the clothing worn by the figures depicted on the vase—how is the clothing different from today? How is the scene on the krater different from the scene on the amphora? Questions to Consider: What can we learn from Greek art about ancient Greek life? What can we learn from Greek art about Greek myths? Compare the ancient Greeks' portrayal of everyday people to their portrayal of mythological figures.