Phidias and Classical Greek Sculpture

Phidias was a great Greek sculptor who lived and worked during the Classical Period of Greek art. During the Classical Period (440BC- 323BC), sculptors were interested in showing people and animals from all sides and from all angles. Sculptors wanted people to be able to walk around their sculptures and admire every part of them. They still carved decorations into walls, but they produced more large, free-standing sculpture.

During the Classical Period, artists focused on learning how to create perfect bodies. Sculptures were meant to celebrate man as the perfect creation of the gods. Sculpture didn’t show fat or wrinkles. Instead, it showed strong, muscular bodies.
Phidias was an important sculptor during the Classical Period. He directed the sculptors who created the Parthenon friezes (sculptures that are set into walls) at the Parthenon. Experts believe that Phidias designed the building and decoration. He also created the sculpture of Athena that stood at the Parthenon. Above is an example of a relief from the Parthenon.
Experts also believe that Phidias created that huge sculpture of Zeus that stood at the Temple of Zeus at Olympia. The sculpture was seven times the size of a man. It was carved from ivory and decorated with gold. It is counted among the Seven Ancient Wonders of the World. Above is a drawing of what the sculpture may have looked like.

More about Greek art:

Geometric Period

Archaic Period

Decorate Your Own Greek Vase

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