Art History 101: High Classical Art: Athens Acropolis

Early Classical-Temple of Zeus, Olympia
-expressionless, idealized, athletic build, peplos dress (plain), broad cheeks, big chins, few details, "severe style"

High Classical-Acropolis, Athens
-more details, prettier faces, finer details and facial structure

Acropolis

Perikles (architect), Periklean building program

Athens Acropolis (high city, old citadel, religious center)

High Classical 450-400 BC

Marble

Four Buildings:

Nike Temple (tiny temple, temple to Athena nike (victory)) - tiny building by entry way

Propylaia (opening, entry gate) - far left, upper portion, in grey

Erechtheion (Erecthius's palace, legendary)

Parthenon (Athena as virgin) - large grey building, upper portion

Temple of Athena Nike

Acropolis

Athens

Ionic

Nike Temple frieze

battle, shown nude (didn't fight nude, makes them look heroic), shows fighting easterners, most likely persians, most likely the Marathon battle

Nike Temple parapet and bastion

Nike-shown as a winged figure of victory, (later an angel), taking off sandal to show that it is sacred ground

Nike offers a trophy to athena (athena is athens)

Victory of the Athenians over the Persians-war monument

Evolution in the art:

Wet drapery-shows body underneath, clings to body

Propyleia

(Front Gate)

Exterior-Doric

Interior-Ionic

Erectheion

Acropolis

Athens

Used to be a frieze, 3 porches, unusual place for a building, ionic

Change in ground line, trying to enclose several sacred places (palace of Erecthius, olive tree, and broken rock from Poseidon, statue of Athena-wore wood and real clothing)

Athena Polios - Athena of the City

Caryatid Porch

Erectheion