Greek Artifacts > Geometric Art

Geometric Art

Background

Geometric art refers to a style of ancient Greek art that emerged during the Geometric period, roughly from 900 to 700 BCE. This period marked a significant transformation in Greek art, characterized by the use of geometric patterns and motifs, as well as the introduction of more complex narrative scenes. Geometric art is most commonly seen in pottery, but it also appears in sculpture and other forms. Here is a detailed exploration of Geometric art:

Characteristics of Geometric Art

1. Geometric Patterns

   • Motifs: The art is dominated by geometric motifs such as meanders (Greek keys), triangles, zigzags, swastikas, circles, and crosshatching.
   • Symmetry and Repetition: Designs are often highly symmetrical and repetitive, covering the entire surface of the object.

2. Human and Animal Figures

   • Stylization: Human and animal figures are highly stylized, composed of simple shapes such as circles and triangles. These figures often lack detailed anatomical features.
   • Narrative Scenes: Over time, Geometric art began to include more complex narrative scenes, particularly on larger pottery vessels. These scenes often depict funerary rites, battles, and processions.

3. Pottery Shapes and Uses

   • Amphorae: Large storage jars used for various purposes, including as grave markers.
   • Kraters: Large mixing bowls used for diluting wine with water, often found in funerary contexts.
   • Other Forms: Oinochoai (wine jugs), kylikes (drinking cups), and lekythoi (oil flasks) also feature Geometric decoration.

Notable Examples and Sites

1. Dipylon Vase (Dipylon Amphora)

   • Description: One of the most famous examples of Geometric pottery, the Dipylon Vase is a large funerary amphora found in the Dipylon Cemetery in Athens.
   • Decoration: The vase features bands of geometric patterns and a central panel depicting a prothesis (funerary scene) with mourners surrounding the deceased on a bier.
   • Significance: The Dipylon Vase exemplifies the complexity and narrative potential of Geometric art, serving as a grave marker for a prominent individual.

2. Krater from the Hirschfeld Workshop

   • Description: A large Geometric krater attributed to the Hirschfeld Workshop, known for its detailed narrative scenes.
   • Decoration: This krater features a prothesis scene and a chariot procession, showcasing the stylized but expressive figures typical of Geometric art.

3. Lefkandi Centaur

   • Description: A terracotta figurine from Lefkandi, depicting a centaur with geometric patterns on its body.
   • Significance: This figurine represents the early use of mythological themes in Greek art and highlights the interplay between geometric decoration and figural representation.

Functions and Cultural Context

1. Funerary Art

   • Grave Markers: Large Geometric vases, particularly amphorae and kraters, were often used as grave markers in cemeteries. The scenes depicted on these vases commonly relate to funerary practices and the afterlife.
   • Offerings: Smaller pottery vessels and figurines were placed in graves as offerings to the deceased.

2. Daily Life and Ritual

   • Household Use: Many Geometric pottery forms, such as cups and jugs, were used in daily life for storage, serving, and drinking.
   • Religious and Ritual Contexts: Some pottery and figurines may have been used in religious or ritual contexts, reflecting the importance of geometric motifs in Greek religious art.

Artistic Development and Influence

1. Evolution of Style

   • Early Geometric: The earliest phase is characterized by simpler and more abstract geometric patterns, with minimal use of figural decoration.
   • Middle Geometric: Increased complexity in geometric patterns and the introduction of more figural scenes.
   • Late Geometric: Marked by highly detailed and complex narrative scenes, especially on larger pottery vessels.

2. Influence on Later Art

   • Transition to Orientalizing Period: The end of the Geometric period saw the beginning of the Orientalizing period, characterized by the influence of Near Eastern art and more naturalistic styles.
   • Foundation for Classical Art: The emphasis on symmetry, pattern, and narrative in Geometric art laid the groundwork for the developments in Greek art during the Archaic and Classical periods.

Conclusion

Geometric art represents a foundational period in ancient Greek art, characterized by its use of geometric patterns and stylized figures. This style is most prominently seen in pottery but also appears in sculpture and other media. The complexity and narrative potential of Geometric art reflect the cultural and social dynamics of early Greek society. Artifacts such as the Dipylon Vase and the Lefkandi Centaur exemplify the artistic achievements of this period and provide valuable insights into the development of Greek art and culture.

Sources

Snodgrass, Anthony M. (Dec 1973). "Greek Geometric Art by Bernhard Schweitzer". The Classical Review. 23 (2): 249–252. doi:10.1017/s0009840x00240729. JSTOR 707869.

Pliny the Elder, Natural History, 35th and 36th Books

Woodford, Susan. (1982) The Art of Greece and Rome. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, p. 40. ISBN 0521298733

Coldstream, John N. (2003) [1979]. Geometric Greece: 900-700 BC. London, UK: Routledge. ISBN 0-415-29899-7.

Snodgrass, Anthony M. (2001). The Dark Age of Greece: An Archeological Survey of the Eleventh to the Eighth Centuries BC. New York, US: Taylor & Francis. ISBN 0-415-93636-5.

Morris, Ian (Sep 1999). Archaeology As Cultural History: Words and Things in Iron Age Greece. London, UK: Blackwell Publishers. ISBN 0-631-19602-1.

Von Bothmer, Dietrich (1987). Greek vase painting. New York: The Metropolitan Museum of Art. ISBN 0870990845.

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