In this course, we will study the art of Classical Antiquity. The different units of the course reflect the main chronological stages in art development in Ancient Greece and Rome, from the coming together of the Greek city-state and the emergence of “geometric art” (around 900 B.C.) to the fourth century A.D. shift that took place within Roman culture and art due to the growing influence of Christianity.
We will begin by underlining the unity of our subject matter: Rome not only conquered Greece, but it assimilated Greece’s cultural and artistic accomplishments. In fact, much of what we know of Greek art today we learned through Roman copies.
We will also explore the development of Greek architecture, sculpture, and painting up to the Hellenistic period, when Greek art began to influence new parts of the globe through the conquests of Alexander the Great. We will also study the ways in which naturalism and idealism came together as Greek art developed over time. Next, we will turn our attention to Roman art, studying its development from the time of the Roman Republic, a period that overlaps with Greece’s Classical and Hellenistic periods, to the waning of the Western Roman Empire. You will learn that while Roman art was, to a large extent, inspired by Greek art, it also developed its own distinctive characteristics. The artistic traditions of Ancient Greece and Rome ultimately served as the foundation for the art of the Western world; these traditions continue to reverberate to the present day.
Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- Explain why ancient Greek and Roman art can be studied together as “the art of Classical Antiquity.”
- Trace the timeline of major events in Ancient Greece and Rome.
- Link important developments in the history of Ancient Greece and Rome to specific geographical contexts.
- Explain how important historical developments and social-historical contexts had an impact on art’s evolution in Ancient Greece and Rome.
- Identify the important stylistic and technical developments of Ancient Greek and Roman art.
- Discuss important artworks, presenting relevant information on each work’s historical context and constitution.
- Discuss important artists in terms of the style of their work.
Course Requirements: Have completed Art Appreciation and Techniques, Introduction to Western Art History: Pre-Historic to High Gothic, and Introduction to Western Art History: Proto-Renaissance to Contemporary Art.
