What are the differences between Archaic, Classical and Hellenistic sculpture

There are three main periods of the Greek sculpture: Archaic, Classical and Hellenistic. The Archaic period was the earliest period in Greek Sculpture which started around 600-480 BCE. These works have a stiff and ridged appearance similar to that of the Egyptian sculpture. The Classical period, was between the Archaic and the Hellenistic times 480-450 BCE. This period shows a very large shift from the stiff Archaic to a more realistic and sometimes idealistic portrayal of the human figure. The Hellenistic period 323-31/30 BCE. It is more difficult to see the distinctions between the classical and the Hellenistic period. Bothe periods did the majority of their sculpture as nudes. The Greeks portrayed a young, vigorous and athletic person in

• Categorized under Culture | Difference Between Hellenistic and Classical Art

What are the differences between Archaic, Classical and Hellenistic sculpture

Hellenistic vs Classical Art

When talking about Hellenistic and classical art, both arts are known for displaying human anatomy.

In Hellenistic art, one can see that the art forms went beyond understanding human anatomy and looked at how the body moved and how it looked when in action. The Hellenistic art looked at how the muscles bulged or the torsos twisted when in action. But in classical art, one cannot see the emotions or the actions of the body; it is just the anatomy.

The Hellenistic art form is seen to be depicting more emotions; portraying the dramatic features that are filled with happiness, anger, agony, and humor. The classic sculptures do not come with these emotions but were idealized or static.

The classical art form originated well ahead of the Hellenistic period. The Hellenistic period began in 323 BC with the death of Alexander the Great and ended with the battle of Actio in 31 BC.

The Hellenistic art had borrowed many concepts from the classical art forms. The Hellenistic art form had a dramatic transformation from the classic art. The Hellenistic art form had borrowed many concepts from the classical art forms, such as depicting lines, shadows, emotions, and showing the dramatic poses and the light used.

In classic art forms, one can see more of rules and conventions. On the other hand, much freedom could be seen in the Hellenistic art forms. In Hellenistic forms, the artists had freedom with their subjects. In classical art forms, one can come across more religious and naturalistic themes. On the contrary, the Hellenistic art forms came out with more dramatic expressions of the spiritual as well as the preoccupation. There were more female nude statues in Hellenistic art.

Summary:

1.In Hellenistic art, one can see that the art forms went beyond understanding human anatomy and looked at how the body moved and how it looked when in action. In classical art, one cannot see these aspects.
2.The Hellenistic art form is seen to be depicting more emotions; portraying the dramatic features that are filled with happiness, anger, agony, and humor. The classic sculptures do not come with these emotions but were idealized or static.
3.In classic art forms, one can see more of rules and conventions. On the other hand, much freedom could be seen in the Hellenistic art forms.
4.In classical art forms, one can come across more religious and naturalistic themes. On the contrary, the Hellenistic art forms came out with more dramatic expressions of the spiritual as well as the preoccupation.

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What are the differences between Archaic, Classical and Hellenistic sculpture
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Written by : Prabhat S. and updated on 2011, April 24

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What are the differences between Archaic, Classical and Hellenistic sculpture
Unknown artist: Nereus, Doris, a giant, Oceanus, from the Pergamon Altar (detail), 2nd century BC. Pergamonmuseum, Berlin

The ideals of Greek art are considered by historians to be the foundation of Western civilization and to have touched literally all aspects of modern western culture.

The history of ancient Greek art mainly in the form of sculpture is composed of roughly three periods: the Archaic, the Classical, and the Hellenistic. The Archaic is rather stiff and primitive; the Classical becomes more sophisticated and realistic; and the Hellenistic becomes flowery and highly decorative.

These three periods can be thought of in the same way as the three periods of Greek architecture – the Doric, the Ionic, and the Corinthian. Doric columns are the most simple, Ionic are more highly decorative, and the Corinthian are downright over the top and lavish. This simple connection can help art lovers remember the differences.

Archaic

In the Archaic period of Greek art [800-500 BC], sculptures were placed on pedestals lining the way to the entrance to a main temple or for marking graves. The typical statue is of either a male or female figure assuming a rather stiff pose. Male statues are called kouroi (simply meaning “young men”) and represent gods, warriors, and athletes. The female statues are called korai and depict clothed priestesses, goddesses, and nymphs. Always each has the thin-lipped Archaic smile, perhaps echoing the prosperity and relative peace of the time.

During the Archaic period, Greek artists try to achieve realistic likeness in picturing the human figure, and the statues are a far cry from the extremely abstract figures of the geometric style which preceded. In fact, the statues show the influence of Egyptian art in its stiffness, gracefulness, and idealization. But the artists weren’t quite comfortable with achieving naturalism yet. The archaic smile, outstretched palm, clenched fist, and wooden posture of a striding figure are all stylistic devices that compensate for an inability to portray a figure in realistic full action during this emerging stage of naturalism.

Classical

During this period [500-323 BC], Greece reaches the height of economic success and cultural and artistic splendor. Its expansionist foreign policy triggers revolts throughout the Hellenic world and rivalry with Sparta, Corinth, Thebes, and Syracuse leads to much fighting and bloodshed. Gone is the dreamy Archaic smile from the sculptures.

The Classical period of Ancient Greece produced some of the most exquisite sculptures the world has ever seen. The art of the Classical Greek style is characterized by a joyous freedom of movement and freedom of expression. It celebrates mankind as an independent entity. Artists hold their aesthetic standards to a quest for ideal beauty; this leads to their depicting the human figure in a naturalistic manner because it is the first time in human history that the human body is studied for its aesthetic values. They replace the stiffness of the human figure from the Archaic period with a free-flowing form more true to life. The most significant change is the counterbalance, or s-curve, of the body, known as controposto. One foot comes forward so that one leg is relaxed and the other bears the weight of the body; the pose is much more naturalistic.

In the art of Greece during the Classical period the characteristic smile of the Archaic sculpture is replaced by a solemn facial expression. Even in sculptures which depict violent and passionate scenes the faces betray no expression; however, their enemies have dramatic facial expressions. Ancient Greeks believed that suppression of the emotions is a noble characteristic of all civilized men, while the public display of human emotion is a sign of barbarism. Logic and reason are the dominant human qualities even during the most dramatic situations.

This is the period that of course so greatly influenced the ascendance of the Renaissance when Italian scholars, writers, and artists experienced a rebirth (“renaissance”) of classical values after the Middle Ages. The Classical period is considered the golden age for the arts, literature, philosophy, and politics and its principles continue to influence western civilization today.

Hellenistic

The Hellenistic period occurred from the third to the first centuries B.C. in the times that spring up after Alexander the Great’s conquests. This is a great time of prosperity that encourages the production of art of a more secular nature. A new reality emerges in Greek sculpture. Instead of depicting ideals such as logic and suppressed emotion or perfect beauty, the artists explore reality. For instance, “the Boxer” shows the boxer’s bleeding knuckles after the fight. Humane themes such as childhood, old age, ugliness, and suffering are now of interest and are treated with great exuberance and pathos. The Laocoon is the epitome of this style.

The Hellenistic period is above all a period of eclecticism. Artists expand their work with dramatic poses and emotions, sweeping lines, and high contrasts of light and shadow. The conventions of the Classical period give way to this new experimentation and freedom that let artists explore subjects from different points of view.

What are the differences between Classical and Hellenistic sculpture?

Answer and Explanation: Hellenistic sculpture differed from Classical sculpture because it increased the degree of emotion and movement portrayed in the statues. Themes also become more mythical than religious or celebratory.

What is the difference between Archaic Classical and Hellenistic art?

The universal, emotionless, and often rigid poses of the Archaic eventually gave way to the idealized beauty and blossoming realism of Classical, before the distinct naturalism, emotion, and dynamism of Hellenistic sculpture fully developed.

What is the difference between Archaic and classical sculpture in ancient Greece?

Whereas the Archaic period pieces were focused on commemoration and uniformity, the individuality of the Classical period subjects made the artistic style more definitive.

How does classical sculpture differ from Archaic sculpture?

They will see that in Archaic art, people's bodies and poses are not true to life, and that in classical art, people's bodies are realistic, but their hair, clothing, and poses are perfected and often theatrical and unlikely.