APAH: Greek Art – Decoration, Pediments, & Friezes
Pediments as text Mythology Duties of citizens Frieze – linear, continuous Pediment – a triangle Problems of space
Temple of Artemis (c. 600 – 580 BC) Corfu, Greece Gorgon (Medusa) flanked by panthers (Gingerbread man ) Medusa slain by Perseus Guardian monster Repulse enemies of temple Guardian cats Tradition of Lion’s Gate (Sphinx & Lamassu) Archaic pinwheel pose Shows action Problems with unity and narrative Small figures in corners Zeus on right Gigantomachy Battle of Gods and Giants Achilles’ son Neoptolemos killing Priam on left
Temple of Aphaia (c. 540 – 490 BC) Aegina, Greece Unified theme – Greeks vs. Trojans Depiction of figures of same size (life-size) in different poses Solution to space problem Athena at center larger than life-size Dying Warrior, West pediment (c. 490 BC) Archaic Dying Warrior, East pediment (c. 480 BC) Classical Pediment damaged / rebuilt
Temple of Zeus, (c. 470 – 456 BC) Olympia, Greece East pediment Olympic games Penalty for perjury Chariot race Figure of the seer Realism Viewer recognizes Pelops and penalty Interaction of Gods/humans Ares gave Oinomaos divine horses Pelops used treachery in race Destruction West pediment Battle of Lapiths and Centaurs Apollo as referee Reason over passion Appears calm Reinforces proper code of conduct (Guests and hosts) Centaurs w/ open mouths Apollo w/ closed mouth
Parthenon Pediments Elgin Marbles British preservation – British theft Pediment figures Extremely high relief East pediment Birth of Athena Cornice as horizon Solved spatial problem Emerging from horizon West pediment Battle b/w Athena and Poseidon to be city’s patron Athenians sit in judgment Hubris??? Dionysus or Herakles Reclining Perfect assembly of form
Parthenon Metopes Stories on each side Amazonomachy Centauromachy Gigantomachy Illiupersis Lapiths & Centaurs Complicated story Not simple victory Perhaps mirroring Athens’ struggle
Parthenon Frieze Panathenaic Procession Annual event Frieze on exterior cella wall 3’ high Ionic Continuous narrative Athenians on temple again Gods as observers – more hubris Plaque of the Ergastines Aristocratic maidens delivering sacred peplos to Athena Polias Sacrifice of Erectheus Creation of sacred space on Acropolis New interpretation
Nike Fastening her Sandal Parapet (fencing) around Temple of Athena Nike Images of Athena Heavy drapery – shows figure beneath