Classical Wisdom Litterae - February 2022

Around this time, we start to see, for instance, the emergence of Etruscan hieroglyphics, in the land of the Minoans, a pre-Greek civilization. Eventually, around 750 BC, we come to 'Archaic' Early Greek Art. ARCHAIC ART This time period is characterized by statues that are free standing, frontal and solid. They wear the strange, so-called archaic smile. One foot is placed forward, the fists are clenched. There are three types of figures, the standing nude youth (kouros), the standing draped girl (kore), and the seated woman. All of the different types of sculptures emphasize and generalize the essential features of the human figure. Now, these Greek statues look a lot like the Ancient Egyptian statues. Of course, this story of runaway sculptors, bringing an artistic renaissance and revolution to Ancient Greece, has a lot of holes. The time periods, for instance, are vastly contradictory. It is difficult to imagine keeping this new artistic approach alive for 500 years. The Ancient Greek kouros also look more like the traditional Ancient Egyptian art, rather than the unique Akhenaten style. So why did Ancient Egyptian-like statues start emerging in Ancient Greece? Could this just be a coincidence? We, unfortunately, do not know. Marble statue of a kouros (youth). Archaic Greece, c. 590 - 580 BC Statue of Tef-ib. Middle Kingdom Egypt, c. 1980 BC The Met/Public Domain Walters Art Musem/Public Domain 58 Litterae | Issue 70