Lesson Plan | Traditional Methodology | Art: Ancient Greece

Objectives

Duration: (10 - 15 minutes)

The purpose of this stage is to establish a clear and solid foundation for what will be covered in the class, providing students with an initial understanding of Greek art, its characteristics, and its influence over time. By defining the main objectives, the teacher ensures that students know what is expected of them, facilitating the assimilation of content and the follow-up of subsequent activities.

Main Objectives

1. Explain the concept of Greek art and its main characteristics.

2. Identify mythological reproductions in Greek art and their meaning.

3. Analyze the influence of Greek art in antiquity, the Renaissance, and in contemporary times.

Introduction

Duration: (10 - 15 minutes)

The purpose of this stage is to capture students' interest and provide a background that contextualizes the importance of Greek art. By presenting historical context and some curiosities, the teacher aims to create a connection between the class content and the real world, making learning more relevant and engaging for students.

Context

️ To begin the class on Ancient Greek art, explain that Greece was the foundation of many cultural and artistic traditions of the Western world. Emphasize that Greek art was not only aesthetic but also carried deep meanings related to mythology, religion, and philosophy. Highlight how this art evolved from simple geometric forms in the Archaic Period to incredibly realistic and expressive representations in the Classical Period. Show some images of famous Greek sculptures and vases, such as the Discobolus by Myron and the paintings of black-figure and red-figure vases, to illustrate these changes over time.

Curiosities

️ An interesting curiosity is that many of the statues we see today in museums were originally painted in vibrant colors. Although they appear to be made of white marble today, scientific analyses have revealed traces of pigments. This shows that the perception of Greek art as 'white and pure' is a modern construct, not a historical reality.

Development

Duration: (40 - 50 minutes)

The purpose of this stage is to provide a deep and detailed understanding of the main aspects of ancient Greek art. By addressing specific topics such as sculpture, architecture, painting, and mythological influence, the teacher guides students through a comprehensive and structured study. Furthermore, the proposed questions serve to reinforce learning and stimulate critical thinking, encouraging students to reflect on the content covered and apply their knowledge.

Covered Topics

1.  Greek Sculpture: Explain that Greek sculpture evolved from the Archaic Period to the Hellenistic Period, passing through the Classical Period. In the Archaic Period, sculptures were rigid and frontal, exemplified by the Kouros and Koré. The Classical Period brought greater naturalism and movement, as exemplified by the Discobolus by Myron and the Doryphoros by Polykleitos. In the Hellenistic Period, sculptures became even more expressive and dynamic, like the Winged Victory of Samothrace and Laocoön. 2. ️ Greek Architecture: Detail the three Greek architectural orders: Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian. Explain the characteristics of each, such as the simple capital of the Doric, the capital with volutes of the Ionic, and the capital ornately decorated with acanthus leaves of the Corinthian. Show examples of famous temples such as the Parthenon (Doric) and the Temple of Athena Nike (Ionic). 3.  Painting and Ceramics: Describe the evolution of painting on Greek vases, from geometric style to black-figure and finally red-figure styles. Explain how these paintings not only decorated the vases but also told mythological stories and scenes from Greek daily life. Examples include the François Vase and the Amphora of Exekias. 4. ✨ Mythology in Art: Explain how Greek mythology is deeply intertwined with its art. Heroes like Hercules, gods like Zeus and Athena, and mythological events like the Trojan War were recurring themes in sculpture, painting, and ceramics. Discuss the relevance of these themes and how they were used to convey values and teach moral lessons. 5.  Influence of Greek Art: Analyze how Greek art influenced other ancient cultures, such as the Roman, and how it was rediscovered and celebrated during the Renaissance. Discuss the lasting influence of Greek aesthetics on contemporary art and architecture, such as neoclassical architecture and modern sculptures.

Classroom Questions

1. What is the difference between Greek sculptures from the Archaic Period and those from the Classical Period? Cite examples. 2. Describe the characteristics of the Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian architectural orders. Give examples of temples that use each of these orders. 3. How did Greek mythology influence art? Give examples of mythological figures represented in Greek sculpture and painting.

Questions Discussion

Duration: (20 - 25 minutes)

The purpose of this stage is to consolidate students' learning through discussion and reflection. By reviewing previously addressed questions and engaging students in active conversation, the teacher reinforces the presented concepts, clarifies doubts, and stimulates critical thinking. This interaction promotes a collaborative learning environment, where students can share their perspectives and deepen their understanding of Greek art.

Discussion

• Difference between Archaic and Classical sculptures: In the Archaic Period, sculptures such as the Kouros and Koré were rigid, frontal, and had a slight smile known as the 'archaic smile'. In the Classical Period, sculptures such as the Discobolus by Myron and the Doryphoros by Polykleitos exhibited greater naturalism, with more relaxed postures and suggested movement through contrapposto, a technique that shows the body's weight distributed unevenly.

• Characteristics of Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian architectural orders: The Doric order is the simplest, with unadorned capitals and columns without a base, exemplified by the Parthenon. The Ionic order has capitals with volutes (spirals) and columns with bases, as seen in the Temple of Athena Nike. The Corinthian order is the most ornate, with capitals decorated with acanthus leaves, such as in the Temple of Olympian Zeus.

• Influence of mythology on Greek art: Greek mythology was a central theme in art. For example, sculptures of Hercules depict his heroic deeds, while painted vases portray scenes from the Trojan War with figures such as Achilles and Hector. These representations served to convey cultural and moral values, as well as to exalt gods and heroes.

Student Engagement

1. ️ Reflection Questions: 2. How does the evolution of sculptural techniques reflect the changing values and perceptions in Greek society? 3. What is the importance of the Greek architectural orders in modern architecture? Can you identify examples in your city? 4. In what ways does Greek mythology still influence contemporary art and popular culture? 5. How do you think the perception of Greek art would be different if the original colors of the statues were still intact? 6. Why do you think Greek art continues to be studied and admired today?

Conclusion

Duration: (10 - 15 minutes)

The purpose of this stage is to consolidate and reinforce students' learning by recapping the main points discussed during the class. By connecting theoretical concepts with practical applications and highlighting the relevance of the topic, this section ensures that students leave the class with a clear and integrated understanding of the content.

Summary

• Greek art evolved from the Archaic Period to the Hellenistic Period, showing a transition from simple and rigid forms to more naturalistic and expressive sculptures.
• The three Greek architectural orders (Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian) have distinct characteristics, exemplified by temples such as the Parthenon and the Temple of Athena Nike.
• Painting on Greek vases evolved from geometric style to black-figure and red-figured styles, telling mythological stories and scenes from daily life.
• Greek mythology is deeply intertwined with its art, with representations of heroes, gods, and mythological events in sculptures and paintings.
• Greek art influenced other ancient cultures, such as the Roman, and was rediscovered and celebrated during the Renaissance, maintaining a lasting influence on contemporary art and architecture.

The class connected theory with practice by using visual examples of sculptures, temples, and vases to illustrate the theoretical concepts discussed. The discussions on the evolution of artistic techniques and cultural influences helped students understand how these elements are applied and recognized in historical and modern contexts.

The study of Greek art is important for understanding the cultural and aesthetic foundations of the Western world. Curiosities such as the discovery of pigments in Greek statues show how art and aesthetic perception evolve over time. Furthermore, Greek influence on contemporary architecture and art highlights the practical relevance of the topic, allowing students to identify classical elements in their surroundings.