Ancient Greece: Cultural Sculpture

Though many sculptors were remunerated by the temples to decorate the detailed columns and archways with renderings of the gods, as the time period came to a close, it became more common for sculptors to portray ordinary people as well because many of Greeks had begun to think of their religion as superstitious rather than sacred. Rich individuals would occasionally commission a rendering of their ancestors for their large family burial tombs; portraiture additionally became common and would be appropriated by the Romans upon their acquisition of Greek civilization. A point of artistic progression, the use of sculpture and alternate art forms morphed during the Greek Classical period, so it is not entirely accurate to assume that the arts provided only one function. Greek sculpture is probably attractive to us all today as it was an avant-garde experiment in the ancient world, so it does not make a difference whether or not its original purpose was religious zeal or artistic pleasure.

The Influence of the Norman Invasion on Anglo-Saxon Landscaping

The Influence of the Norman Invasion on Anglo-Saxon Landscaping Anglo-Saxons felt incredible adjustments to their day-to-day lives in the latter half of the eleventh century due to the accession of the Normans. Influence Norman Invasion Anglo-Saxon Landscaping 0541135223.jpg

Influence Norman Invasion Anglo-Saxon Landscaping 0541135223.jpg

The Normans were much better than the Anglo-Saxons at architecture and horticulture when they came into power. But before concentrating on home-life or having the occasion to consider domestic architecture or decoration, the Normans had to subjugate an entire society. Because of this, castles were cruder structures than monasteries: Monasteries were frequently immense stone buildings set in the biggest and most fecund valleys, while castles were built on windy crests where their citizens dedicated time and space to projects for offense and defense. The tranquil practice of gardening was impractical in these dreary bastions. Berkeley Castle, maybe the most pristine style of the early Anglo-Norman style of architecture, still exists in the present day. It is said that the keep was developed during William the Conqueror's time. A massive terrace serves as a deterrent to intruders who would try to mine the walls of the building. One of these terraces, a charming bowling green, is covered grass and flanked by an old yew hedge trimmed into the form of crude battlements.

Statuary As a Staple of Classic Art in Archaic Greece

Statuary As a Staple of Classic Art in Archaic Greece The initial freestanding sculpture was designed by the Archaic Greeks, a distinguished success since until then the sole carvings in existence were reliefs cut into walls and pillars. Youthful, attractive male or female (kore) Greeks were the subject matter of most of the statues, or kouros figures. The kouroi were seen by the Greeks to typify beauty and were sculpted with one foot leading and an uncompromising stiffness to their forward-facing poses; the male statues were always strapping, brawny, and nude. The kouroi became life-sized starting in 650 BC. A massive period of improvement for the Greeks, the Archaic period brought about more forms of state, expressions of artwork, and a greater appreciation of people and customs outside of Greece. However, these conflicts did little to hinder the progression of the Greek civilization.