Spotlight -- Art of the Western World: Program 1

SPOTLIGHT ON

PROGRAM 1: The Classical Tradition
600 B.C. to 350 A.D.
The origins of humanism and much of Western art are traced to ancient Greece, dramatically exemplified through Kouroi and Korai (male and female) figures, as well as by the architecture of the Parthenon, the key monument in this program. The goals of Roman art were political, but Roman architectural achievement, now recognized as far more than an imitation of Greek art, is embodied in the vast concrete dome of the Pantheon. The strength and subsequent dissolution of the Empire are conveyed through a series of portrait busts dating from the first century through the third century A.D. In the sarcophagus of Junius Bassus, classical themes and forms are adapted to serve Christian purposes.

The Fine Arts Department at the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs includes a component entitled the Digital Art Collections. The site shows Greek and Roman art and architecture, organized by time period and subject area. Interesting Greek images include the Palace of Knossos (don't forget to visit the Queen's Apartment while you're there) and the Treasury of Atreus at Mycenae, c.1400 B.C. Roman highlights include the Pompeii Amphitheatre, the Temple of Hercules Victor near the Tiber, c.120 B.C., and the Arch of Constantine.

An in-depth look at mythology in Western art can be seen at the University of Haifa, Israel. This unique site was developed as part of an art history survey course. It contains an impressive collection of Greek art that portrays mythological characters, such as Zeus, the god of the sky, Ares, the god of war, and Eros, the god of love. The artwork demonstrates the range of ways in which these characters were portrayed.

The Perseus Project is a collection of resources on ancient Greece. This comprehensive site includes Greek texts, a Greek lexicon, and images of artwork, coins, and architectural sites. This page is courtesy of Tufts University.

The Vatican Library, one of the greatest libraries in the Western world, is featured in an exhibit on the Library of Congress Web site. The exhibit contains a wealth of information about this venerable institution and the history of Rome. You can see images of original manuscripts related to many subjects, including medicine, science, math, and music.

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