Greek figurative art for the first time in history expressed joy of life (Minoan civilization) and the ideal beauty of man (Classical times). The Ancient Greeks also set the rules for beauty and harmony in architecture. In literature, the Greeks were the fist to examine natural phenomena in a purely scientific way and to write down the findings. read more
The Greek literature that had the most stylistic impact was theater. Greek play writers created the styles of tragedy, focused on human suffering, and comedy, defined by ironic or funny events. So, the next time you have an epiphany and type a program to create symbols of mythology out of meteors, thank the Greeks. read more
These issues become more difficult, and more speculative, when the art in view dates from distant times or places. Hence the interest of John Boardman's "The Diffusion of Classical Art in Antiquity," which reprints and fully illustrates the 1993 A.W. Mellon Lectures in the Fine Arts, given at the National Gallery of Art. read more