Exam 2: Ancient Greece

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The distinctive stylistic features of Minoan art include a focus on naturalistic and flowing forms, vibrant colors, and a preference for depicting scenes of nature, animals, and everyday life. Minoan artists also utilized a technique known as "wet fresco" painting, where pigments were applied to wet plaster, allowing for a seamless integration of color and texture.

In terms of new themes explored by Minoan artists, they often depicted scenes of ritualistic and religious activities, such as bull-leaping and processions, as well as maritime scenes and landscapes. These themes reflect the Minoan civilization's close connection to nature, the sea, and their religious practices. Additionally, Minoan art often featured depictions of women in positions of power and influence, challenging traditional gender roles and showcasing a more egalitarian society. Overall, Minoan art is characterized by its celebration of life, nature, and the human experience.

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The Doric order in temple architecture developed during the Archaic period in ancient Greece. It is characterized by its simple and sturdy design, with columns that have no base and a capital consisting of a plain, cushion-like slab called an echinus, topped by a square abacus. The entablature, or the horizontal structure supported by the columns, typically includes a frieze with triglyphs (three vertical grooves) and metopes (plain or sculpted panels).

During the Archaic period, Doric temples were relatively small and had a simple layout, with a front porch (pronaos) and a back room (cella) for housing the cult statue of the deity. The columns were more squat and the entablature was heavier, giving the temples a solid and imposing appearance.

As the Classical period progressed, the design of Doric temples became more refined and sophisticated. The columns became more slender and the entablature lighter, creating a more graceful and harmonious aesthetic. The proportions of the temples were also carefully calculated according to a system of mathematical ratios known as the "Golden Ratio" to create a sense of balance and beauty.

Additionally, the decorative elements of the Doric order evolved during the Classical period. The triglyphs and metopes on the frieze became more ornate and were often adorned with sculptural reliefs depicting mythological scenes or historical events. This added a level of storytelling and visual interest to the temples, making them not only religious spaces but also cultural and artistic landmarks.

Overall, the development of the Doric order in temple architecture from the Archaic to the Classical period saw a progression towards greater elegance, refinement, and artistic expression while still maintaining the essential characteristics of strength and simplicity that define the Doric style.

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Lysippos and Praxiteles were two of the most influential sculptors of the Late Classical period. Lysippos is known for his innovative approach to sculpting the human form, introducing a more naturalistic and dynamic style. He is credited with developing the "Canon of Proportions," a set of rules for creating idealized human figures that had a significant impact on the future of sculpture.

Praxiteles, on the other hand, is best known for his mastery of portraying emotion and grace in his sculptures. He was one of the first sculptors to depict the female form in a more sensual and lifelike manner, moving away from the rigid and idealized representations of earlier periods.

Both Lysippos and Praxiteles contributed to the evolution of sculpture by pushing the boundaries of traditional techniques and styles, paving the way for the Hellenistic period that followed. Their work continues to be celebrated for its beauty, technical skill, and influence on the development of Western art.