Comparing Art In Ancient Greece And Byzantium

This investigation will be an extensive analysis in order to answer the question; compare and contrast art in ancient Greece and Byzantium. This topic is significant because ancient Greek and Byzantine art influenced modern art in many countries, giving ideas and techniques of their art to artists around the world. The issues that will be concentrated on and embellished upon are how the cultural aspects of Greece and Byzantium played a part in their art forms and their differences. This exploration will be focused upon the places of which are important in this investigation: Greece and Byzantium, and directed around the time period of 700 BCE to 1500 CE. This will then be attained through a intensive exploration upon Greek and Byzantine cultural

Greek techniques and art forms also were unique. Ancient Greek art accentuated the importance and achievements of human beings in their art. From the Greek Olympic games to the wars and battles of which Greece was involved, depictions of such appeared in the art. Greek culture was very egoistic, resulting in all of the art pieces having depictions mainly consisting of Greek warriors, rulers, Greek athletics, mythology and religious figures. In Ancient Greek culture, athletics was a favorite pastime, it’s no wonder that it would appear in their artwork. On many pieces of pottery, paintings and sculptures there are images of athletics and armed men. The Greeks made art as gifts, offerings, and items to be buried with the deceased. Greek mythology and religious depictions also appeared quite often in art forms. A lot of Greek art was made in order to honor the gods and goddesses of ancient Greece. Depictions of myths such as Odysseus was a common subject in their artwork. The Greeks created many statues, mainly of gods and humans such as the gold and ivory statue of Athena in the Parthenon . Which also shows their egoistic view. They also made figurines, pottery and sculptures as gifts to the gods and goddesses. The techniques, art forms and types of art was very unique to Greece. Greek art was very utilitarian; there was not a lot of paintings or

The ancient Greeks made their art to honor the gods as well as for display and personal use. In contrast, the Byzantines created their artwork as a symbolistic image towards religion. The simplicity of the Byzantine mosaics contrast with the detailed and complex sculptures of ancient Greece. Greek art, usually has been very utilitarian, pottery is vastly used and even sculptures and carvings play a part in the architecture. The Byzantine styles of unproportional and two-dimensional mosaics as well as the theme of disembodiment are a part of the religious culture of Byzantium. Greek art overall, is more chaotic and “energetic”, there are lots of artworks about wars, rulers, athletics, gods, myths, etc., whereas Byzantine art is calmer. There are lots of religious mosaics without much detail and proportion and that gives you a mood of calmness, such as you would see stained glass windows in a church. There are not as many similarities between ancient Greek and Byzantine art, given they are completely different places, time periods of the “golden ages of art” as well as the culture. But, for example, the idea of religion from culture plays a significant subject in both forms of art. Both cultures have some form of religion that is expressed in art, whether it be statues in honor of the gods or mosaics in churches. Although Byzantine art mostly consists