Beginning in Awe (The Sublime and Beauty of Ancient Greek and Roman Art)

Author: Lin Jiali
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-01-01
Features: The true meaning of European art should begin with ancient Greece. The geographical scope of the origin of Greek art is centered around the Aegean Sea, and thus it is also considered a continuation of Aegean art. Shelley once wrote in a poem, "We are all Greeks." Hegel also once said, "The name Greece naturally evokes a sense of home in the minds of educated Europeans, especially in our Germans." Greece is the cradle of European civilization, where ancient Greeks achieved remarkable accomplishments in science, philosophy, literature, and art. Her brilliance is so dazzling that later generations, upon reflection, are inevitably deeply moved. As one philosopher put it, Greek art "began in astonishment." The thinking of the free Greeks was therefore unique. Herodotus once said, "Freedom is the only source of prosperity and strength for the Athenian city-state, and before that, it was powerless to compete with neighboring city-states due to being forced to acknowledge a tyrannical regime." For this very reason, Greek art, in its expression,、、、，、。 Meanwhile, in Near Eastern art, the author merely acted upon orders to complete the work, without personal creativity or leaving their name, whereas in the Greek era, individual status was elevated. Artists could carve their names on their works, and even place their statues side by side with divine images. This was the Greek people's respect for art. In a democratic and free environment marked by fierce competition, the Greeks not only discovered, nurtured, and created beauty but also created gods. In the eyes of the Greeks, the perfect was god, and thus they revered humanity, elevating it to the level of the divine. Gods and humans were considered to be of the same form and essence. The Greeks valued the existence and worth of the individual, and this is fully reflected in their art. Through their works, they celebrated the beauty of the human body and spirit, idealized human forms, and strove to make them as perfect as divine images, which became a distinctive feature of Greek art. The Greeks also worshipped gods, believing that their personalities were no different from ordinary humans, and thus they personified the gods, creating many famous myths such as Cupid, Venus, and Apollo. Greek mythology is the soil of Greek art, containing rational reflections on the mysteries of nature, nurturing the seeds of historical and philosophical concepts, and exerting a profound influence on later Western art. The Greeks regarded strong, healthy bodies as the source of all goodness and beauty, and considered Greek mythology the spiritual origin of art, as Marx once said: "Greek mythology is not only the arsenal of Greek art but also its soil." The main achievements of Greek art are reflected in sculptures that unify gods and humans, as well as in temple architecture. The main characteristics of Greek art are all-encompassing harmony and regularity, as well as solemnity and tranquility. Its main symbol is the beauty of the human body. The Greeks have contributed to humanity enduring and unparalleled artistic masterpieces. "Greek artworks, with their profound realism, harmonious completeness, heroic love for life, and respect for the noble qualities of humanity, have stunned later generations."