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Ancient & Classical Art

Research Report II - Calendar and Suggestion Page

Don't forget about the Perseus Project on the Links page. It is an easy way to access basic, and often extensive, information on Ancient Greek Art & Architecture.

Start off by looking at the Readings for ideas. John Boardman's books are always a good place to start for the basics. Also, for overall background on Greek Civilization Jacob Burckhardt's book is excellent. Also, Gisela Richter is an authority on the basics of Greek Art - though a bit dated, she is still worth referencing.

It goes without saying that you should look in the bibliographies at the back of books for additional sources.

Please notify me if you need assistance with images. You must let me know in advance if you plan to use PowerPoint. Because of technical issues, you'll need to supply your own laptop computer for PowerPoint presentations unless arrangements are made in advance.

Student Reports Calendar:

April 19th:

Female Nude in Greek Art (Alexis Abbracciamento): Begin with a basic reading of nude statuary in Gardner, Stokstad or Jansen. Also, have a look at articles by Walston & Bonfante in Readings to start. Remember that the female nude comes much later than the male nude. Why is this? What is unique about the female nudes (ie. different from the male figures of athletes, warriors, etc)? Look at Late Classical & Hellenistic works - 4th, 3rd, 2nd, 1st centuries B.C. Also, consider what is your thesis statement (purpose statement) in which you use your present knowledge to make assessments about the importance/significance of the Female Nude. You are equipped now to do this, so look at the above articles and don't hesitate to form opinions - that you will then back up with evidence from your research.

Also, next week we will be addressing the issue of Beauty. This certainly comes up with the Nude figure. What do the Greeks mean by Beauty? Did they attempt to achieve it with the figure? What did this embody? We'll be looking at this and you might consider some of the theories when doing your own research.

You may want to check out Kenneth Clark's book The Nude, A Study in Ideal Form.

There may also be something in the Perseus Project if you search through the site.

Give an historical framework to your research - ie. how women were viewed and thus depicted in the way you've addressed. If you're interested in a feminist perspective, have a look at Eva Keul's book, which is listed on the Readings page. Also, try to include more artistic examples in your final paper. Otherwise, you're off to a good start and you interest in the topic is apparent.

Male Nude in Greek Art (Elizabeth Nelson): Will you consider the "Classical Ideal"? There are a few articles on the Readings that should help with your topic. Look at Bonfante, Hurwit, Levin, McDonnell, Walston, others. Perhaps, something in the Bowersock article depending on the direction your plan to take.

You may want to check out Kenneth Clark's book The Nude, A Study in Ideal Form.

Techne in Greek Sculpture: Materials, Media & Technique (Jane Della Penna):

See article on the Readings on Ancient Workshops by Heilmeyer

While you will spend a lot of time researching and reporting on the practical aspects of the materials and techniques used, I'd also like you to attempt to consider a thesis statement (ie. statement of purpose) - Pose questions such as: How did these techniques, tools, materials enable or prohibit certain types of art? What role did techne play in the development of Greek Art - such as sculpture in marble or bronze (freestanding vs. relief), etc. If you can, consider the relationship of these works to architecture - considering the role that technique and materials played.

Consider the above questions when writing your final paper. Ie. What role did techne play in the development of Greek Art? Don't get too bogged down with detailing out every type of medium and how it was constructed. Remember to cite all your sources - and don't hesitate to offer your own insights.

April 26th:

Pergamon (Karen Lauria): I've just put some articles on the Readings page that will get you started - Hoffman, Howard (2), Lehmann, Farnell. Certainly look at the sculptural program of Pergamon - ie. Alter of Zeus. Be sure to address what Hellenism itself embodied - aesthetically as well as the cultural & political milieu of the period. Pergamon illustrates this. Also, consider what is your thesis statement (purpose statement) in which you use your present knowledge to make assessments about the importance/significance of Pergamon. You are equipped now to do this, so look at the above articles and don't hesitate to form opinions - that you must then back up with evidence.

There may also be something in the Perseus Project.

Well developed and highly insightful research with clear examples and coherent context - that doesn't stray from your thesis. You held it all together beautifully in your presentation - now just keep it up in your paper. Nice work.

Influence of the East (Sondra Tannenbaum): Articles on Readings that may be of interest: Hanfmann, Hicks, Hopkins, Gates, Clay, Mousavi, others. Books: Boardman (Persia and the West), Cook, Dunbabin, M.L. West, others.

Interesting artistic examples. You went out on a limb by juxtaposing works based on your own eyes and insights. This was courageous and it served you well in the presentation. The topic is big and, therefore, a bit fragmented. So, now give it relevant context (cultural, historical, etc.) and ask the question of how/why these relationships with the East developed and what they meant to the Greeks. Ie. - the seeking of an identity or looking to emulate or the intrigue of the 'exotic', etc. How did the spiritual aspects of the Eastern aesthetic translate in Greece - why? how? You are well directed in your research - now just stop and consider what it all meant, and give it the thread it needs to hold it together.

Images of Herakles (Lisa Doughty): Go to the link at the Perseus Project by clicking on the logo here. You'll find extensive info on Hercules/Herakles - his "Labors" and their meaning and depictions, his life, his significance to the Greeks, examples in art AND - most importantly - further resources on the subject of Herakles. Do spend time going through the pages. They will take you to many resources on your topic.

Great choice of artistic examples and excellent discussion of the "Labors". Now consider what this all meant to the Greeks. Why was Herakles such a prominent figure? When was he depicted? - ie. glorifying a victory? on vases for private use?

Important to remember that myth gave Greeks their sense of identity (their history).

Take all you've learned and now just put it into context. Don't rely solely on internet sources for your research! Perseus Project should be a place to start and get direction, but by all means look further to answer some of your own questions.

Also - your analysis of the vases is well directed and insightful. Some very interesting and good observations there. Don't hesitate to rely on those insights!

May 3rd:

Graeco-Roman Art of the 1st Century B.C. (Michelle Sessoms): See articles by Richter and Vermeule on the Readings. Also, consider what is your thesis statement (purpose statement).

You may want to check the Perseus Project for background info.

Siphnian Treasury at Delphi (Laura-Ann Marino): Get basic background from Gardner's Art Through the Ages or Janson's History of Art. See articles on the Readings page by Agard and Watrous.

Also, you can access basic and some more detailed information at the Perseus Project of Tufts University. Go to the site and type Siphnian in the search OR go directly to the following link: Perseus Lookup Tool. Don't forget to go to the articles and click on "more." This will give you many readings/articles from their catalogue as well as an extensive collection of images.

Attempt to form a thesis statement (purpose statement) in which you use your present knowledge to make assessments about the importance/significance of the Treasury. You are equipped now to do this, so look at the above articles and form opinions as well as giving a straight report on the topic.

Animals & Composite Creatures (Chivas A. Buckman): Animals to consider: bull, horse, lion, goat, dog, boar, others / Composite or Fantastic Creatures: Centaur, Minotaur, Sphinx, Chimaera, Cerberus, others. You may want to focus on one or the other - or more closely on one particular animal/creature. There are a couple of articles on the Chimaera for example. Of course the bull and the Minotaur have been written about a lot too.

Look at articles on Readings by: Hill, Jones, Kawami, Lonsdale, Roes, Schmitt, and Shear. Look for Gisela Richter's book on Animals in Greek Sculpture. The latter should help a lot.

Also, consider what is your thesis statement (purpose statement).

Citadel at Mycenae (Daniella K. Pascasio): Much of what we learn from the citadel has to do with the social structure of Mycenaean society - these were fortified citadels. Seems to reflect a division between the elite of the palace culture and the greater population. You should certainly address the general structure and the lion gate. Look in introductory books on Mycenae and Mycenaean civilization for this. But, the most important find at Mycenae is the Shaft Graves, and you should look more in depth into their significance. These were graves where the people of the palace/citadel were buried. The archaeological evidence from these graves has supplied much of what we know about Mycenae.

Heinrich Schliemann, the famous archaeologist who uncovered ancient Troy, also excavated the Shaft Graves at Mycenae. There is a lot written.

Look at the following articles on the Readings page to give you ideas on how to approach the topic - certainly you will want to include examples of particular artifacts to illustrate your research.

Articles by: Dickinson, Graziadio (2), Mylonas (3), Gates, Younger

May 10th:

Decorative Metalwork (Lindsay J.Otto): Reading from Gisela Richter will get you started. See articles I've just added to the Readings by Richter, Hill and Vermeule. Also, you might want to look at some bronze works at the Met (ie. there are several interesting mirrors).

Laconian Art (Javier Amaya-Irene): This is Sparta. Consider what made the Spartans different from the Athenians. Look at the mirror(s) we mentioned, and certainly look at the female figures. They are quite different than those you see in Athens of the time.

Theme of the Banquet and Symposium in Athens of the 5th century B.C.