Notes on Ancient Greek Pottery

Geometric Style (c. 1000-700 BC)

• From about 950 to about 750 bc, are called the Geometric period, a term that refers to a primarily abstract style of pottery decoration of the time.
• The lively, rectilinear meander patterns circling the body of the amphora are typical of Geometric pottery design. Greek Funerary Amphora (800 BC)
  

Orientalizing Style (c. 700-600 BC)

• Eastern imports to Greece were plentiful, as were Greek imitations of eastern objects or motifs, and trade with lands to both east and west led to new prosperity for Greece.

Archaic Style (c. 600-480 BC)

• The painting technique used during the period is know as black-figure.
• Patterning still function as a border device, and, as in Orientalizing, the central image is a narrative scene.

Late Archaic to Classical Style (c. 530-400 BC)

• The red figure painting technique was introduced in the late Archaic period and continued through the fourth century BC.
• In addition to increased organic form, the Greek painters of the mid-fifth century BC began to set figures in nature and depict elements of landscape.Calyx Krater depicting Hercules wearing a laurel wreath with Athena and other Greek heroes. (470-445 BC)

Classical to Hellenistic Style

• During the late fifth century BC, white-ground painting became popular on lekythoi, which were used as grave dedications.
• The Greek interest in naturalism led to a delight in illusionism and trompe-l'oeil.

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