| Ancient Greece is considered the birthplace of | | | | from being simple, with few decorative bands, to the |
| Western Civilization. The art of a region at a particular | | | | 'Naturalistic' manifestations, entailing the intricate |
| time in history helps understand the then prevailing | | | | 'figurative' designs, portraying animals & humans. |
| socio-economic actualities, influencing creativity. Art of | | | | This transition to 'Naturalism' marked the inception of |
| Greece is no exception. Its artworks over a period | | | | the Archaic Period, observed during 750-480 BC. The |
| help us track the possible events & influences that | | | | art of Greece during the Archaic Period reflects |
| resulted in the eventual shaping of the western culture. | | | | considerable influence from the Near East & |
| Two most important phases of Greek Art include the | | | | Egyptian Art. Creatively, this period is the bridging |
| Geometric Period and the Archaic Period, also known | | | | phase between the Geometric Period and the |
| together as the 'Age of Experiment.' | | | | Classical Period. Archaic Period was a rich span, |
| Geometric Period, spanning from about 900 to 700 BC, | | | | witnessing both, structural & intellectual revolution. |
| with the artistically active centers at Athens and | | | | Philosophy, theater, poetry, & writing touched the |
| Aegean, is the name given to the era between the | | | | mature highs. Based on the cultural & artistic shifts, |
| end of the 'Mycenaean Age' and the beginning of the | | | | Archaic Period is phased into Early (660-580 BC), |
| 'Classic Age.' In the purview of the artistic | | | | Middle (580-535 BC), and Late (540-480 BC). |
| developments, Geometric Period is divided into Proto | | | | Artistically, the archaic potteries graduated from |
| (1050-900 BC), Early (900-850 BC), Middle (850-760 | | | | 'Geometric' style to the 'Oriental' one, also known as |
| BC), and Late Geometric (760-700 BC) Phases. | | | | "Proto-Attic," centered on floral & animal themes. |
| As the name suggests, the Geometric Art focused | | | | "Black-Figure Pottery," (7th century BC), originated in |
| mainly on 'geometrical Symmetry,' demonstrated in the | | | | Corinth; and the "Red-Figure Pottery," (about 530 BC), |
| then pottery & vase painting (especially those of | | | | developed by the Andokides Painter, are the pottery |
| the vase painter Dipylon Master), the development of | | | | milestones of the Late Archaic Age. Sculptures were |
| Greek alphabets, & the temples dedicated to | | | | made from limestone, marble, terra cotta, bronze, |
| Greek Gods. Focused primarily on linear surface | | | | wood, and some rare metals. These statues were not |
| decoration, the tall vessels were painted geometrically | | | | just meant for artistic display, but were also used for |
| and mostly carried several horizontal bands having | | | | public memorials, as temple offerings, or as markers |
| geometric motifs, such as zigzag, swastika, triangle, | | | | for graves. The most iconic sculptures of Archaic |
| and/or meander tucked in between. The pattern would | | | | Period, Early Archaic Period to be precise, are the |
| cover the entire vase surface. "Amphora" (eighth | | | | male bronze statues, "Kouros," and their female |
| century BC) by Dipylon, is an apt specimen of the | | | | counterparts, "Kore." Late Archaic Period also marked |
| vessel artistry of Geometric Period. | | | | the beginning of the Ancient Greek architectural |
| With time, the style and the form of vessels changed | | | | evolution. |