geometric art

1. GEOMETRIC ART (900-700 BCE)

2. Brief History There were three phrases of the Geometric Style. The early stage lasted from 900 BCE to 850 BCE, the middle stage lasted from 850 BCE to 750 BCE, and the late stage that lasted from 750 to 700 BCE.  During this period, the most common medium was painting on vases. However, a few limited works of sculpture and bronze casts survive. Art from this period tends to be, true to the period's name, especially geometric, confining itself to representations and repetitions of shapes rather than the more realistic work of the earlier periods. Sculptures and carvings began to be made representing each city states' heroes and past legends including animals and humans. The armed warrior, the chariot, and the horse are the most familiar symbols of the Geometric period.

3. IMPORTANT WORKS OF ART VASE PAINTING Characteristics: In the Early Geometric period (900-850 BC) almost the entire surface of the vase is covered by black glaze and the decorative motifs are set in panels and zones on the neck, shoulder and belly.  Triangles and zigzags are the dominant ornaments during this period. The height of the vessels has been increased, while the decoration is limited around the neck until the middle of the body of the vessel.  The height of the vessels has been increased, while the decoration is limited around the neck until the middle of the body of the vessel.  The remaining surface is covered by a thin layer of clay, which during the cooking takes a dark, shiny , metallic color.

4. This vase is from the early Geometric stage. This particular vase was from Athens in the c.10th century BCE; currently it is in the Kerameikos Museum, Athens ( Beccati 13).

5. The Middle Geometric period (850-760 BC ) is characterised by the rapid development of trade and the revival of contacts both with the East and between different Greek city-states. The decorative zones appear multiplied by creating a laced mesh, while the meander dominates and is placed in the most important area, in the metope which is arranged between the handles. The decoration tends to cover the entire surface of the vase in zones separated from each other by vertical groups of fines, creating panels.

6. This vase is an exemplary illustration of Greek artists evolving their work into a more intricate and ambitious portrayal of Geometric Style. The vase depicted is a very elaborate and defined stylization of the Geometric Period

7. The late phase of the Geometric style is characterized mainly by monumental funerary vases. Vases are adorned by multifigural scenes of everyday life, such as naval and land battles hunting, and dances at religious ceremonies, confined within zones or panels. People and animals depicting geometrically in a dark glossy color, while the remaining vessel is covered by strict zones of meanders, crooked lines, circles, swastikas, in the same graphical concept.

8. This piece is a perfect example of what the world of geometry created. This was a starting point for the new style that arose and became quite popular after the end of the Geometric Period. On this vase, the artists are trying to tell a story with this aryballos . It would appear to be a battle in which (guessing from the lion which symbolizes glory and therefore victory) the one who made this aryballos had a favorable outcome. 

9. SCULPTURE Characteristics: Small scale sculpture, often made from bronze is also seen at this time. Like the figures painted on the vases, the shape of these figures derives from geometric shapes.

10. Bronze Horse The  Statuette of a Horse is thought to have been created in 8th century BCE. The horse in the picture is clearly indicated as a male. The overall thinness of this artwork complies with the standard of bodies and objects being reduced in size and the shapes of the objects being geometric. Miniature sculptures of animals, like this sculpture, were found in sanctuaries around Greece. This statuette is only 11.5cm off the ground .

11. Man and Centaur The  Man and Centaur , or sometimes referred to as  Hercules and Nessos , was estimated to have been created between the years 750 and 730 BCE. The  Man and Centaur  is a small solid bronze cast that stands 4' 1/2" high off the ground. The artist depicted the fictional animal, the centaur, as a man in the front and a horse in the back. Both the centaur and the man are wearing hats and have facial hair. The front legs are more resembling of a human than the hind legs, who have the shape of a horse's legs; as if a centaur was just a regular human being with the back end of a horse attached to its back. This sculpture was created by using the lost-wax method.

12. INSIGHTS: Artist during geometric art are very resourceful and creative. All their artworks has its own stories to tell. When it comes to their work of art, even a simple shapes they try to make it into creative masterpiece . After making some research about geometric G reek art it made me appreciate for their hardworks especially during those times art materials are not yet invented but because to their passion and love for the art, nothing is impossible to them. Pino , Rose Mae C.