Lecture Notes on the Temple of Hera at Paestum and Greek Architecture

Temple of Hera at Paestum

• Timeline: 1550 BCE
• Size: 100 feet by 175 feet
• Materials: Marble, unreinforced stone masonry
• Construction Technique: Post and lintel
• Features:
  • Heavy, closely placed columns
  • Challenges in visibility due to dense columns
  • Fallen roof and pediment
  • Metopes and triglyphs mostly removed to a nearby museum

Greek Architectural Proportions

• Obsession with Mathematical Perfection:
  • Use of the Pythagorean theorem and the 2:1 ratio
  • Application of entasis (artificial optical correction) to columns
  • Example: Nautilus shell and human form proportions

Pediments and Sculptures

• Temple of Artemis Pediment:
  • Early example with Medusa in pinwheel fashion
  • Challenges in utilizing the tapering space
• Siphnian Treasury at Delphi:
  • Timeline: 530 BCE
  • Features: Non-peripteral, female figure columns, brightly painted frieze
• Temple of Aphaia Pediments:
  • Timeline: 500 BCE
  • Brings forth a significant moment in art history
  • Artist reconstructions of brightly painted figures
  • Doric temple with alternating triglyphs and metopes

Transition from Archaic to Classical Period

• West vs. East Pediment of Temple of Aphaia:
  • West Pediment:
    • Archaic style
    • Features archaic smile, unrealistic depiction
  • East Pediment:
    • Classical style
    • Realistic depiction, accurate anatomy, and emotional expression
• Significance:
  • Represents the shift from archaic to classical style in a span of 10 years
  • Introduction of contrapposto (weight shift) stance
  • Example: Kritios Boy
    • Demonstrates realistic human posture
    • Weight on one leg, causing hip and shoulder shift
    • Used as a grave marker, semi-precious jewel eyes

Acropolis

• Photographic Evidence:
  • Images from the 1850s-1860s showing fragmented sculptures
  • Example: Kritios Boy's body and head reuniting in Acropolis, Athens