Art's Greatest Shift: Contrast of Classical to Modern

Art's Greatest Shift: Contrast of Classical to Modern

Andrew Martinez
D. Mills
Humanities 2301
7 December 2009
                            Art’s Greatest Shift: The Fascinating Contrast of Classical to Modern
              When we think of art; an abundance of light floods the mind with the colors, characters, music, icons, landmarks, unforgettable images as well as the unexplained. But most of all, it is the abundance of emotion that overwhelms us, a degree of emotion that only the arts can deliver. From the perfect interpretation of the human form by Polyclitus of Classical Greece, to the distorted, near grotesque images brought forth by Modernist, Pablo Picasso. Between these two styles millennia apart, there seems to be a whole lot of contrast and not an ounce of comparison. But what these two styles beg you to see, is their identification with the most complex force on earth: the human form. And believe it or not, but they both do an exquisite job.
              The classical period of ancient Greece began in 776 BCE and ran well into the 400’s BCE. This era was extremely important in history not only for its unforgettable arts, but for it philosophers, architecture and especially its form of government (democracy), which we practice as the most successful form of government to this day.
              What fascinates me most however is the idealism of the classical Greeks. The notion of perfection that they seem to be border lined obsessed with. They were so fixed on perfection in fact that it shows in the construction of their buildings, there laws and most stunningly, their sculpture. Now as far as putting a name on the geniuses of this time, we may never be certain. Out of the few well preserved sculptures of this time, only the bronze statue which is named “Spear Bearer” (450-440BCE) is given a maker, his name was Polyclitus. He and his peers were enveloped in the notion of human perfection, so much that the sculpture displayed such perfection that it seems almost impossible to achieve in real...