Product Description

This fascinating new account of what happened in Greece from c.800 to 323 bc shows how sculptors and painters responded to the challenges they faced in the extremely formidable and ambitious world of the Greek city-state. The numerous symbols and images employed by their eastern Mediterranean neighbours on the one hand, and the explorations of what it was to be human embodied in the narratives with which Greek poets worked on the other, helped produce the rich diversity of forms apparent in Greek art. The drawings and sculptures of this period referred so intimately to the human form as to lead both ancient and modern theorists to talk in terms of the 'mimetic' role of art. The importance of what occurred still affects the way we see today. Ranging widely over the fields of sculpture, vase painting and the minor arts, this book provides a clear introduction to the art of archaic and classical Greece. By looking closely at the context in which and for which sculptures and paintings were produced, Robin Osborne demonstrates how artistic developments were both a product of, and contributed to, the intensely competitive life of the Greek city. 'brilliantly illustrates the purpose of this new series by focusing on the social and political context of Greek art . . . a different approach suggesting new perspectives and original connections . . . eye-opening and thought-provoking' Professor François Lissarrague, Ecoles des Hautes Etudes en Sciences Sociales, Paris 'brings all that is best in the 'new' Classical art history to this exciting interpretation . . . No reader of Osborne's stimulating and engaging book will come away with their vision of Greek art unchanged' Jeremy Tanner, Institute of Archaeology, University of London

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #139165 in Books
• Published on: 1998-09-17
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 280 pages

Review
a different approach suggesting new perspectives and original connections ... eye-opening and thought-provoking Professor Francois Lissarrague, Ecoles des Hautes Etudes en Sciences Sociales, Paris brings all that is best in the 'new' Classical art history to this exciting interpretation ... No reader of Osborne's stimulating and engaging book will come away with their vision of Greek art unchanged Dr Jeremy Tanner, Institute of Archaeology, University of London Students of art will be intrigued and challenged by the methods employed and examples so cleverly chosen by one of our leading historians of Archaic and Classical Greece Professor Joan Connelly, New York University

This new account of Greek art from c800 to 323BC shows how sculptors and painters responded to the challenges of the formidable and ambitious world in which the Greek city-state was created and developed. Ranging widely over sculpture, vase painting and the minor arts, the book provides a stimulating introduction to the art of archaic and classical Greece. The symbols and images of the eastern Mediterranean on the one hand, and the narratives of the Greek poets on the other, produced the rich diversity of forms apparent in Greek art. By looking closely at the context in which and for which sculptures and paintings were produced, as well as at religion and myth, politics and the economy, the book shows how artistic developments were both a product of, and contributed to, the intensely competitive life of the Greek city. (Kirkus UK)

Review
a different approach suggesting new perspectives and original connections ... eye-opening and thought-provoking (Professor François Lissarrague, Ecoles des Hautes Etudes en Sciences Sociales, Paris )

brings all that is best in the 'new' Classical art history to this exciting interpretation ... No reader of Osborne's stimulating and engaging book will come away with their vision of Greek art unchanged (Dr Jeremy Tanner, Institute of Archaeology, University of London )

Students of art will be intrigued and challenged by the methods employed and examples so cleverly chosen by one of our leading historians of Archaic and Classical Greece (Professor Joan Connelly, New York University )

Professor Joan Connelly, New York University
"Students of art will be intrigued and challenged by the methods employed and examples so cleverly chosen by one of our leading historians of Archaic and Classical Greece"

Customer Reviews

Great academic book
Robin Osborne's book is a fabulous addition to any Classical Studies student or anyone else interested in the subject. Well written and great scholarship. Highly recommended