Ancient Greek sculptures and Greek statues are a significant part of Greek art and surviving evidence of ancient art.Scholars classify monumental sculptures of bronze statues and stone in three crucial periods: the Archaic period (from about 650 to 480 BC), the Classical period (480-323 BC), and the Hellenistic period (323-31 BC).These stages are celebrated with vast numbers of Greek terracotta figurines and sculptures in metals and other forms. Continue reading the article for more insights into ancient Greek sculpture.If you enjoy reading this and would like to know more Greek facts, read our articles on ancient Greek clothing facts and ancient Greek culture facts.Why is ancient Greek sculpture important?Ancient Greeks have set great heights in the field of art and sculptures. Greek still stands as an example of art in history and the future with its outstanding artworks. The artwork of ancient Greece has influenced the world of art with its various sculptures and statues. The human form was the most prominent choice of style in Greek’s artistic endeavors. As Greek gods also had human form, the human body was both sacred and secular. Greek artists distinctively manifested the human body by capturing its poise, proportion, and idealized perfection in sculptures and statues.The Hellenistic period had a distinct group form of Greek statues, and they were reliefs, often tall and most importantly, free-standing. In the Classical period, Greek sculpture was composed entirely of both marble and bronze. Some minor works were in various materials, with an extensive production of figurines in terracotta. Most territories of ancient Greece had bountiful supplies of fine marble, such as Pentelic and Parian marble which were highly prized. Both marble and bronze are easy to make and are durable. Limestone was used in the Archaic period. Chryselephantine sculptures, which enjoyed high status in ancient Greece, were used for temple cult images and luxury works, and Greeks used gold material and ivory for parts, and gems were also used. Greek painting is bright in colors, but today it appears white because the original pigment has deteriorated.The importance of Greek sculpture starts with the foundation for materials for sculptors as stone, marble, limestone, and clay. Greek sculptors widened their imagery, going beyond the usual aesthetic art, and depicted real people and actual times, which added a lot of reality to their work. Ancient Greece in the Archaic period featured the legacy of cultures with varied geometric and abstract works involving sculptures called Kouroi (men) and Korai (women). Many scholars believe this art of Kouroi was influenced by Egyptian sculpture. Elements of realistic human anatomy, flourishing in their art, took shape in their sculptures and art. Carving the action of the human body was prominent during the Classical era (480-323 BC). Greek sculptors sculpted realistically, engaging in erotic acts of nature. An ideal example of this time is Aphrodite, called ’the mother of a million nudes’, capturing the true beauty and life-like postures of the human body form. Greeks inspired the technique of individuals standing upright in the form of sculptures.The Hellenistic period (323-31 BC) emphasizes the connection of art with artists and their emotions. Greeks started creating sculptures based on their imagination, reflecting on their culture and events. This started the art of storytelling through art with events and emotions. The Parthenon, in Greece, is one of the most remarkable buildings in the world that is a strong influence of Greek art and sculpting. It displays extraordinary characteristics of life-like sculptures. The Parthenon became the architectural role model for future architecture. Greek art has set its foot and traces in the ancient western art world. Artist Peter Paul Rubens had been directly influenced by Greek art which kept their art alive in variant forms for centuries.What was unique about Greek sculptures?Even before 2,600 years ago, Greeks had built life-size, free-standing statues that portrayed human form while other cultures had a different and stylistic approach.Greek sculpture characteristics involve creating realistic and idealistic displays. Their core values strongly influenced their artistic style which added observation and experimenting, resulting in a realistic style of artwork. Greeks had many schools of philosophy and ideals, so their art reflected idealistic realism. Instead of a man, they depicted an ideal man. Greek artists had some solid ideas about the perfect human body. Women were treated as second class and were not much involved in their art. A male sculpture was depicted with well-built and perfectly sculpted muscle, commonly naked, to show the perfect body. The male body was sculpted as a young man. Commonly, sculptures were of men in their early 20s, neither old nor immature. Their sculptures did not show any emotions as Greeks believed a perfect mind was rational and emotion was irrational. Greek statues reflected most of their ideologies with their unique qualities.What did Greek sculptures represent?Art reflects society, its people, and people’s attached emotions and ideologies. The influence of Greek art included sculptures, postures, a human figurative form of art, Greek painting, and natural form of art depicting their traditions, classical antiquity, and ideas.Greek art was spread across their temples, sculptures, and pottery. Greek architecture reflected their representation of Greek mythology and ideals. Ancient Greek art portrayed the importance and accomplishments of human beings. Their art began with the root of honoring their gods, those gods they believed in were in human form. The human body was a divine image to them which has been crafted so beautifully, with great ideals. Their art represented Greek tradition, core values, and philosophy with a realistic style of work. For instance, most of their sculptures were naked as they believed men were liberal and free to think, and their bodies were sacred beauty to be showcased.Famous Greek Sculptures Greek is a place most well known for its sculptures and tradition. Greek people hold great pride in their culture, tradition, and influence in their art.Aphrodite of Milos (130-100 BC) is a famous ancient Greek sculpture. It is a 6.6 ft high (203 cm) marble statue. The statue characterizes an elongated body and spiral composition. The Winged Nike of Samothrace is another famous marble statue. It shows a winged woman standing on top of a ship, and represents the goddess Nike.Venus de Milo (150-125 BC) is a Parian marble statue measuring 6 ft 8in (204 cm) high. The statue has lost both arms. Ermis of Praxiteles is another ancient sculpture representing the god Hermes. The statue has a special feature. If you view the face of the statue from the left it looks sorrowful but from the right it looks as if it is smiling, and when seen from the front it looks calm.The Sacred Gate Kouros is a Naxian marble sculpture. It’s 6.8 ft (210cm) tall and is unique in that the face looks triangular and weak and has almond-like eyes. Moschophoros, (around 560 BC) was displayed at the Acropolis Museum. It is around 5.4 ft (165 cm) in height. The statue displays a man holding a calf on his shoulders.The Charioteer of Delphi, known as Heniokhos, is one of the most famous and finest ancient bronze statues. The sculpture shows the rider of the chariot race, displaying horses and his chariot to the spectators to showcase his victory. The Artemision Bronze is a bronze statue that portrays Zeus, the king of gods. The sculpture represents a nude muscular man and depicts the ideal male figure.The Discobolus from about 460-450 BC (Classical period) shows a youthful athlete throwing a discus. A Caryatid is a Greek sculpture woman serving as architectural support holding the place of a pillar or a column supporting a capital or architrave on the head and the name means maidens of Karyai. The original was in the Acropolis Museum and one of the Caryatides is in the British Museum.The sculpture of the Dying Warrior probably represents Laomedon, a fallen Trojan hero who is trying to push himself off the ground with the help of his shield. Athena Parthenos is a sculpture of the goddess Athena. It is 39.3 ft (1,200cm) high, and is made of gold and ivory. The goddess stands straight, wearing a robe, aegis, and helmet and holding a Nike (goddess of victory), in her right hand and a spear in her left.The statue of Zeus at Olympia represents the god of Zeus. It measures about 40.6 ft (1,240cm) tall and it is composed of gold panels and ivory plates on wooden framework. Zeus’s throne is ornamented with ebony, ivory, gold, and precious stones. The statue is recognized as one of the wonders of the ancient world. Many statues were lost and destroyed; we learned of their existence only from ancient Greece descriptions and displays on coins.Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly facts for everyone to enjoy! If you liked our suggestions for ancient Greek sculpture facts then why not take a look at ancient Greek food facts or ancient Greek temples facts.
Ancient Greek sculptures and Greek statues are a significant part of Greek art and surviving evidence of ancient art.
