{Evolution on Archaic Greek Vases [continued]}[7th February 1991]

[Redbook8:236-237][19910207:1506d]{Evolution on Archaic Greek Vases [continued]}[7th February 1991]

19910207.1506

[continued]

*

Geometric period (c900-700BCE)[:]

‘Until the end of the 8^th century, stylistic development consisted of the evolution of more complex geometric patterns on vases and bronzes. The meander, swastika and checkerboard patterns are prominent examples of the new Geometric decoration. The only curvilinear elements were the compass-drawn circles deriving from the Proto-Geometric age.* The sense of pattern and proportion was strong – of rhythm, too, as the geometric forms became broken into panels of varying widths. More significant, however, was the application of this abstract formalism to the creation of a figure style representing men and animals.**

‘On the earlier Geometric vases, the simpler Proto-Geometric forms were soon diversified, with the addition of motifs that may owe much to the patterns of basketry. The tendency was for more and more of the vases to be covered with this decoration, so that something of the simple effectiveness of earlier wares was lost. Eventually, the encircling friezes were broken into symmetrical panels and registers; and in the 8^th century [BCE], some friezes were composed of repeated figures of animals, crouching or grazing, drawn in a simple silhouette style, with their limbs reduced to basic geometric forms in harmony with the overall geometric composition. Once human figures began to be represented, however, the purpose soon became to depict a scene of cult or action.... This is a conceptual art, owing nothing to observation[,] *** and expressing emotion or action by the most basic movement of body or limbs. Pattern determines the composition of of the figure scenes, and the few blank areas are filled with small, varied geometric designs.’****

#

*[See last previous entry]

**– ibid [– Encyclopaedia Britannica 25:325]

***{cf [[Redbook8:166-167*][19901231:1301d]{Geometric Pottery}[31st December 1990][&ant],] 166;

IX. [] 137}

****cf Mediaeval Manuscript illumination?

#– ibid [Encyclopaedia Britannica 25:] 325-6

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