Module 3 Greece and the Etruscans

 

Fragment showing Perseus with the head of Medusa likely from a metope from the Temple of Apollo at Thermon, c. 630 B.C.E., painted terracotta, 87.8 cm high (National Archaeological Museum, Athens

    This terracotta painted plaque is from the Temple of Apollo at Thermon (c.65 B.C.E).  Ceramics and illustrations such as these from the Iron Greece age are among the oldest examples of architecture ornamentation. On this plaque, you can barely make out a young man carrying the monstrous Medusa's severed head under his right arm. You can visibly see her face clenched between the man's hip and his right arm. Despite this plaque's old age, what's left of this painting is very recognizable. The facial features of Medusa are unmistakable. The same applies to the limbs and body of the man carrying her. You can also make out a black border that once framed this illustration. This plaque most likely once decorated the surfaces of a Doric temple. The doric order is one the three earliest classical orders of mediterranean architecture. The Doric order can be distinguished by a simple, unvarnished column capital and a column that rests directly on the temple's lateral margin, the stylobate, without the need for a base.  This classical style of architecture remained popular from the late seventh B.C.E. through the early fifth century B.C.E.

Late Geometric Attic spouted krater (vessel for mixing water and wine), possibly from Thebes, c. 730 B.C.E., 30.5 cm high (The British Museum, London), photo: Egisto Sani CC BY-NC-SA 2.0

During this time period vase painting was another popular decor piece. Vases were likely used to mix wine and water. This vase portrays geometric patterns, two humans, and a boat. The two depicted here are unknown.The male figure reaches back to grab the female figure's hand. He seems to be assisting the woman onto the rower filled boat beside them. Near eastern motifs and animals were popular to be portrayed on painted pottery such as this. The style of art is called “horror vacui” which means “fear of empty space”.  We can clearly see the fear of empty space displayed on this vase.

  Both art pieces were very popular for their time and were used as decor items in doric temples. I believe both of these illustrations are done on a terracotta canvas (plaque or vase). A big difference between the two is the use of space on the canvas. The style of art on the pottery covers the entire vase. I personally really enjoy a lot going on in an art piece. While the plaque has a well preserved painting, it has a far less cluttered appearance. It is very well put together.

Dr. Jeffrey A. Becker, "Introduction to ancient Greek architecture," in Smarthistory, August 8, 2015, accessed September 9, 2021, https://smarthistory.org/introduction-to-greek-architecture/.

 Dr. Renee M. Gondek, "Introduction to ancient Greek art," in Smarthistory, August 14, 2016, accessed September 9, 2021, https://smarthistory.org/greek_intro/.