Greek Classical Perfection Ideal
The Greek Classical Perfection Ideal Revealed in their Art, Literature and Architecture
Fabiana Rocha
IDH 1110, Valencia CollegeProfessors Ed Frame, Gustavo Morales, Subhas Rampersaud03 November 2014
The Greek Classical Perfection Ideal Revealed in their Art, Literature and Architecture
The Ancient Greek had a set of communities scattered along the coast line of the Mediterranean Sea, a region much larger than the boundaries that Greece presents today . Although geographically dispersed, these diverse group of people were united through a common culture, with the same customs, beliefs and language. In fact, “Areté was the most articulated value in Greek culture” (Hooker). This word means to be the best one can be or to reach one’s …show more content…
Alexandros de Antioquia, the sculptor of this piece, depicted the ideal of perfection through symmetry and natural form in each of the statue details. “Essentially, two blocks of marble, the statue is comprised of several parts which were sculpted separately (bust, legs, left arm and foot) then fixed with vertical pegs, a technique which was fairly common in the Greek world” (Astier). Ancient Marble was often chosen because it displays the luster and look of skin with smoothness and flawlessness. This Greek sculpture conveys a strong sense of realism, and the artist used resources and details to transform the marble into an object of perfection. It is clear that the artist admired and appreciated the natural symmetry of the human body. The natural symmetry in the sculpture is exposed in the balance of precise measures, shapes and contours. In addition, it transmits regard to the aesthetical appeal, physical beauty and human ideal proportions. The Greeks believed that what makes something is its proportion, symmetry, order, and a fair measure, all of which are is displayed in this famous …show more content…
Antigone didn’t respect the king’s rules and because of that, the king Creon condemned her to be sealed in a cave and left to die. Creon’s son, who was Antigone’s fiancé, was a nonconformist with Polyneices death and killed himself. When the queen found out that her son died, she also killed herself. Neither Creon, nor Antigone found balance and moderation to hear each other and consider the other’s point of view. This shows a lack of Kalokagathia, balance, and Sophrosyne, self-control, moderation. The story displays a message of negative consequence when people forget to apply these values on their lives, therefore, not reaching
Fabiana Rocha
IDH 1110, Valencia CollegeProfessors Ed Frame, Gustavo Morales, Subhas Rampersaud03 November 2014
The Greek Classical Perfection Ideal Revealed in their Art, Literature and Architecture
The Ancient Greek had a set of communities scattered along the coast line of the Mediterranean Sea, a region much larger than the boundaries that Greece presents today . Although geographically dispersed, these diverse group of people were united through a common culture, with the same customs, beliefs and language. In fact, “Areté was the most articulated value in Greek culture” (Hooker). This word means to be the best one can be or to reach one’s …show more content…
Alexandros de Antioquia, the sculptor of this piece, depicted the ideal of perfection through symmetry and natural form in each of the statue details. “Essentially, two blocks of marble, the statue is comprised of several parts which were sculpted separately (bust, legs, left arm and foot) then fixed with vertical pegs, a technique which was fairly common in the Greek world” (Astier). Ancient Marble was often chosen because it displays the luster and look of skin with smoothness and flawlessness. This Greek sculpture conveys a strong sense of realism, and the artist used resources and details to transform the marble into an object of perfection. It is clear that the artist admired and appreciated the natural symmetry of the human body. The natural symmetry in the sculpture is exposed in the balance of precise measures, shapes and contours. In addition, it transmits regard to the aesthetical appeal, physical beauty and human ideal proportions. The Greeks believed that what makes something is its proportion, symmetry, order, and a fair measure, all of which are is displayed in this famous …show more content…
Antigone didn’t respect the king’s rules and because of that, the king Creon condemned her to be sealed in a cave and left to die. Creon’s son, who was Antigone’s fiancé, was a nonconformist with Polyneices death and killed himself. When the queen found out that her son died, she also killed herself. Neither Creon, nor Antigone found balance and moderation to hear each other and consider the other’s point of view. This shows a lack of Kalokagathia, balance, and Sophrosyne, self-control, moderation. The story displays a message of negative consequence when people forget to apply these values on their lives, therefore, not reaching