Archaic Greek Art: Garden Statuary

Archaic Greek Art: Garden Statuary Up right up until the Archaic Greeks introduced the first freestanding sculpture, a noteworthy achievement, carvings had mostly been done in walls and pillars as reliefs. Kouros figures, sculptures of adolescent, handsome male or female (kore) Greeks, made up the bulk of the sculptures. The kouroi were believed by the Greeks to embody beauty and were sculpted with one foot leading and an uncompromising rigidity to their forward-facing poses; the male statues were always strapping, brawny, and undressing. Life-sized versions of the kouroi appeared beginning in 650 BC. The Archaic period was tumultuous for the Greeks as they evolved into more refined forms of government and art, and gained more information about the peoples and civilizations outside of Greece. Throughout this time and other durations of historic tumult, clashes often occurred, including wars fought amongst city-states such as the Arcadian wars and the Spartan invasion of Samos.

Anglo Saxon Landscapes at the Time of the Norman Conquest

Anglo Saxon Landscapes at the Time of the Norman Conquest Anglo Saxon Landscapes Time Norman Conquest 474196679694962547.jpg

The arrival of the Normans in the 2nd half of the 11th century irreparably transformed The Anglo-Saxon lifestyle. The Normans were much better than the Anglo-Saxons at architecture and horticulture when they came into power. However, there was no time for home life, domesticated design, and adornment until the Normans had conquered the whole region. Most often constructed upon windy summits, castles were straightforward constructs that enabled their inhabitants to devote time and space to offensive and defensive programs, while monasteries were rambling stone buildings commonly added in only the most fecund, broad valleys. Peaceful activities such as gardening were out of place in these destitute citadels. Berkeley Castle, perhaps the most unspoiled style of the early Anglo-Norman style of architecture, still exists in the present day. The keep is reported to have been developed during the time of William the Conqueror. An enormous terrace encompasses the building, serving as an obstruction to assailants intending to dig under the castle walls. One of these terraces, a charming bowling green, is covered grass and flanked by an ancient yew hedge cut into the figure of crude battlements.