Lesson Plan | Lesson Plan Tradisional | Art: Ancient Greece

Objectives

Duration: (10 - 15 minutes)

The aim at this stage is to build a solid foundation for the lesson, giving students an initial understanding of Greek art, its characteristics, and its historical influence. By outlining the main objectives, the teacher helps students know what’s expected of them, making it easier for them to absorb the content and engage with subsequent activities.

Objectives Utama:

1. Explain the concept of Greek art and its key characteristics.

2. Identify mythological representations in Greek art and their significance.

3. Analyze the influence of Greek art in antiquity, the Renaissance, and today.

Introduction

Duration: (10 - 15 minutes)

The goal at this stage is to engage students' curiosity and provide a backdrop that highlights the importance of Greek art. By presenting the historical context and sharing intriguing facts, the teacher aims to create a link between the lesson and real-world relevance, enhancing the students' learning experience.

Did you know?

🎨 An interesting tidbit is that many statues we see in museums today were originally painted in brilliant colours. Although they look like they're made of white marble now, scientific studies have uncovered remnants of pigments. This suggests that the modern perception of Greek art as 'white and pure' is a contemporary notion, rather than a historical fact.

Contextualization

🇬🇷 To kick off the lesson on Ancient Greek art, start by explaining that Greece was the bedrock of many cultural and artistic traditions in the Western world. Highlight that Greek art went beyond mere aesthetics; it held profound meanings connected to mythology, religion, and philosophy. Discuss how this art transformed from simple geometric designs during the Archaic Period to incredibly realistic and expressive forms in the Classical Period. Use images of renowned Greek sculptures and vases, like Myron’s Discobolus and various black and red-figure vase paintings, to illustrate these artistic developments over time.

Concepts

Duration: (40 - 50 minutes)

The intent of this stage is to provide a thorough understanding of the key aspects of ancient Greek art. By delving into specific topics like sculpture, architecture, painting, and the influence of mythology, the teacher aims to guide students through a comprehensive study. The questions posed here also serve to reinforce learning and promote critical thinking, encouraging students to reflect on the content and apply their insights.

Relevant Topics

1. 🎭 Greek Sculpture: Discuss how Greek sculpture evolved from the Archaic to Hellenistic periods, with the Classical Period being a pivotal moment. In the Archaic Period, sculptures were often rigid and frontal, exemplified by the Kouros and Koré. The Classical Period introduced greater naturalism and dynamism through works like Myron's Discobolus and Polykleitos's Doryphoros. By the Hellenistic Period, sculptures grew even more expressive and dynamic, as seen in pieces like the Winged Victory of Samothrace and Laocoon.

2. 🏛️ Greek Architecture: Outline the three Greek architectural orders: Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian. Explain their unique features, such as the simple capitals of the Doric order and the volutes of the Ionic order, as well as the ornate capitals with acanthus leaves in the Corinthian order. Provide examples of significant temples like the Parthenon (Doric) and the Temple of Athena Nike (Ionic).

3. 🎨 Painting and Ceramics: Describe the evolution of painting on Greek vases from geometric styles to black-figure and red-figure styles. Emphasise how these artworks not only decorated the vases but also depicted mythological stories and scenes from everyday Greek life, with examples like the François Vase and the Vase of Exekias.

4. ✨ Mythology in Art: Explain how deeply intertwined Greek mythology is with its art. Recurring themes include heroes such as Hercules, gods like Zeus and Athena, and events like the Trojan War in sculpture, painting, and ceramics. Discuss their significance in conveying cultural values and moral lessons.

5. 🌍 Influence of Greek Art: Explore how Greek art impacted other ancient civilisations, particularly the Romans, and how it was revived and celebrated during the Renaissance. Discuss how Greek aesthetics continue to influence modern art and architecture, such as in neoclassical designs and contemporary sculptures.

To Reinforce Learning

1. What distinguishes Greek sculptures from the Archaic Period from those of the Classical Period? Please provide examples.

2. Outline the characteristics of the Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian architectural orders. Can you name temples that exemplify each order?

3. In what ways did Greek mythology shape art? Offer examples of mythological figures found in Greek sculpture and painting.

Feedback

Duration: (20 - 25 minutes)

This phase aims to solidify student understanding through discussion and reflection. By revisiting previously covered questions and facilitating active dialogue, the teacher reinforces concepts, clarifies uncertainties, and encourages critical thinking. This interaction fosters a collaborative environment where students can contribute their insights and deepen their grasp of Greek art.

Diskusi Concepts

1. Differences between sculptures from the Archaic and Classical Periods: In the Archaic Period, sculptures like the Kouros and Koré were often rigid and frontal, displaying a slight smile termed 'archaic smile'. In contrast, sculptures from the Classical Period, such as Myron’s Discobolus and Polykleitos’s Doryphoros, exhibit greater naturalism with relaxed postures and movement suggested through contrapposto, a technique highlighting uneven weight distribution. 2. Characteristics of the Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian architectural orders: The Doric order is the most straightforward, characterised by unadorned capitals and columns that stand directly on the stylobate. The Ionic order features capitals with spiral volutes and column bases. The Corinthian order is the most elaborate, adorned with capitals featuring acanthus leaves, such as is found in the Temple of Zeus Olympios. 3. Influence of mythology on Greek art: Greek mythology served as a central theme in their art. For instance, sculptures of Hercules depict his heroic exploits, while painted vases illustrate scenes from the Trojan War featuring figures like Achilles and Hector. These artworks not only entertained but instilled cultural and moral values, celebrating gods and heroes.

Engaging Students

1. 📝 Reflection Questions: 2. How does the evolution of sculptural techniques reflect changes in values and perceptions within Greek society? 3. What role do the Greek architectural orders play in contemporary architecture? Can you identify any examples in your hometown? 4. In what ways does Greek mythology continue to influence modern art and pop culture? 5. How might our understanding of Greek art change if we had access to the original colours of the statues? 6. Why do you think Greek art remains a subject of study and admiration in today’s world?

Conclusion

Duration: (10 - 15 minutes)

The purpose at this stage is to wrap up and reinforce student learning by summarising the main points covered during the lesson. By linking theoretical ideas to practical applications and emphasising the topic's relevance, this part ensures that students leave the lesson with a solid, integrated understanding of the content.

Summary

['Greek art progressed from the Archaic to the Hellenistic Period, showing a shift from simple and rigid designs to more naturalistic and expressive sculptures.', 'The three Greek architectural orders (Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian) each have distinct features, demonstrated by temples like the Parthenon and the Temple of Athena Nike.', 'Greek vase painting evolved from geometric designs to black and red-figure styles, telling stories of mythology and everyday life.', 'Greek mythology is intricately linked with its art, portraying heroes, gods, and mythological tales throughout sculpture and painting.', 'Greek art has influenced other ancient cultures, such as Rome, and was rediscovered during the Renaissance, continuing to leave a lasting impact on modern art and architecture.']

Connection

The lesson effectively connected theory with practice by using visual examples of sculptures, temples, and vases to clarify the theoretical concepts discussed. Discussions about the evolution of artistic techniques and cultural influences helped students grasp how these elements have been applied and recognised in historical and contemporary contexts.

Theme Relevance

Studying Greek art is crucial for understanding the cultural and aesthetic foundations of the Western world. The discovery of pigments in Greek statues serves to illustrate how perceptions of art evolve over time. Additionally, the Greek influence on modern architecture and art highlights the ongoing relevance of the topic, enabling students to recognise classical elements in their own environments.