isa-normaladvance-1909-00068

Description:	68THE NORMAL ADVANCEAn Estimate of Greek ArtWALTER W. HARVEYIt is impossible to place a sweeping estimateupon any phase of life in Greece, because in notwo of the several periods of the nations history was life the same. Greek art attained itsheight in Athens during the time of new Hellenic culture from 450 to 338 B. C.To be an artist in the highest sense of theterm, it is necessary for one to have a creativeimagination, capable of grasping eternal truthin the universe. He must know this truth sowell that his mind experiences the portrayalof it before his hand touches the brush, orchisel or pen. He must be able to appreciatebeauty in all its phases: in the world of nature,in arts as the product of human existence andin the hearts of men and women.The Greek artist of the new day came nearerbeing all of that than any other personage inany other place or time. He was no longerafraid to express himself. The thoughts andfeelings, that had been pent up by the slaveryto the old government and religion, now, sincethese barriers were broken down, found extraordinary expression in all the forms of finearts.The Acropolis at Athens was adorned withthe finest group of buildings the world has everknown. The three most famous of these werethe Parthenon, the Erechtheum and the Propy-laea. They are noted for their beauty, graceand proportion. What seems in them to bestraight geometric lines to the judgment, arein reality fine graceful curves.Sculpture was also greatly advanced. Menno longer feared to portray gods or men.Sculptures were used mostly to decorate buildings, and took the forms of distinct statuary,bas-relief and high-relief. Various materialswere used. Marble, ivory, silver and gold andsometimes all of these on one statue. TheThe Greeks thought the curves of the humanbody the most beautiful things in nature, andtheir accurate portrayal came with their accurate thinking and appreciation. Their idealwas grace rather than brute strength.A short description of the Parthenon willserve to show what Athenian architecture andsculpture were like at their best. It was abuilding 101 by 227 feet with a low gabledroof. Around the outside and under the roofran two rows of Doric fluted columns (8 pillars on the ends and 17 on the sides), 34 feethigh and 6 feet in diameter. It was plannedby Pericles and was completed in 438 B. C,after sixteen years of hard work. Several hundred laborers worked upon it under direction ofthe architects, Ictinus and Callicrates and thesculptor Phidias.There were two pediments or gables, 93 feetlong and 11 feet 4 inches from base to apex.In the east one of these was sculptured thestory of the birth of Athene, and in the west,the contest between Athene and Poseidon forthe guardianship of Athens. Below the pediments and extending around the entire building was an architrave, one part of which wasmade up of alternating triglyphs and metopes,92 of each. These metopes were bas-reliefsculptures, two-thirds life size, between whichwere the three-paneled stone triglyphs. On theeast end the metopes told the story of the battles of the gods and the giants on the southside, that of the Centaurs and the Lapithae orthe west end, the victory of the Athenians overthe Amazons and on the north probably thefall of Troy. .Under the porch and extending entirelyaround the building was a frieze in low-relief,representing a sacrificial procession to the goddess Athene. Inside was a big room or cella194 by 70 feet, in which stood the statute ofAthene. Back of this was an inner room sup-
Source:	http://indstate.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/ref/collection/isuarchive/id/34098
Collection:	Indiana State University Archives

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