From Aphrodite Of Knidos To The Old Market Woman

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Change in Greek Art Greece is famously known world widely for its spectacular artworks. People are familiarized with its sculptures, paintings, and mosaics, but not many know how its art has been transforming from time to time. An explicit example would be the drastic changes from Aphrodite of Knidos to The Old Market Woman. The Egyptians had influenced Early Greek art for several years; it was during the time of war (Archaic Period) and art was not their top priority. Most of their sculptures were similar to those in Egypt and there was no sense of personal style. However, as peace was approaching, artists started to focus on how to make their work outstanding. They took advantage of their knowledge in anatomy and started applying it …show more content…

The Greeks found this so appealing because it looked very similar to themselves in form but because Aphrodite is naked, it showed the separation from the “mere mortals” (Berz). She seems modest with her sexuality by trying to cover her genitals, but she is very strong and secure with her head high. Women were also able to compare themselves with this sculpture because it was not ideal; Aphrodite was not blonde with blue eyes, but she was as she …show more content…

In Greece, people were not interested in the old, poverty, and anything that was disgraceful, but scared. Realism terrified them, and they only saw what they wanted to see. “In the Hellenist age there was a sudden appetite for individuality and realism” and it was when “realism began to show signs of superseding the idealism” (Haley). The Greeks had to face one of their major fears, and The Old Market Woman demonstrates it crystal clearly. Hellenist artists paid more attention to the experiences individuals went through; they wanted to reflect the nature of human life. One can immediately see the involvement of age in this sculpture because of her hunched back, bone structure, wrinkles, baggy eyes, saggy breasts, and all the other imperfections, but also shows that she has some kind of background history. She is also missing her arms, which one would be carrying a basket with fruits or vegetables, and the other could be carrying a chicken. Her dress, slipped off of one shoulder, epitomizes women of age during childbearing years had

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