Understanding Classical Art

Greek Evolution

Watch art evolve across rooms: 1. Archaic (600-480 BCE): Stiff poses, "archaic smile" 2. Classical (480-323 BCE): Ideal beauty, perfect proportions 3. Hellenistic (323-31 BCE): Emotion, movement, realism

Roman Innovation

Romans weren't just copiers: - Added realism to Greek idealism - Invented historical relief sculpture - Perfected portrait sculpture - Created new architectural forms

Reading the Stories

Most artworks tell stories from: - Mythology: Gods behaving badly (and well) - Homer: Iliad and Odyssey scenes everywhere - History: Battles, triumphs, daily life - Theater: Tragic and comic masks abound

Don't worry if you don't know the stories—labels help, and sometimes just enjoying the artistry is enough.