Today,the 23/08/10,I sat and just wrote for an extra 1 hr and wrote the rest of my essay and now I have it completed.
Here is my draft essay and Sir I was wondering if you could possibly check it out and comment on it,
thanks.
:)
I also forgot to blog this really helpful textbook-
Unlocking the Past-preliminary Studies in the Ancient World,J.Lawless,K.Cameron & C.Young,Thomson/Nelson,1996,Winner of 1997 premier's History Awards:-another book I borrowed form ouur school library on the 16th of August.
ps:does it have to have anymore primary sources in it or not?
*Assess the significance of ‘The Abduction of Persephone’ wall painting, in the royal Tomb of Persephone at Vergina.*
‘The Abduction of Persephone ‘ wall painting is one of the most significant surviving frescoes from the 4th century BC.This naturalistic painting, found in one of the royal Verginian tombs of Philip II, The Tomb of Persephone, it has become an important contribution to Greek mythology,Greek art and death of one of the most influential Greek rulers in history.
Vergina, located in Macedonia, northern Greece, houses the tombs of the royal Macedonian dynasty, including King Philip II and Alexander IV. Occupied during the beginning of the Early Bronze Age, Vergina was at its height during the Archaic and Classical periods of the 7th through to the 4th century BC.As the King of Macedonia during this time, Philip II’s death begun the string of tombs that is famously known to be there today. This area, dedicated to the reign of Philip and his descendants, consists of 3 tombs: the Tomb of Philip II, the Tomb of Persephone, which contains ‘The Abduction of Persephone’ wall painting and the Tomb of the Prince, all of which are hugely important buildings in the placement of Greek history.
On 8 November 1977, German archaeologist Manolis Andronikos discovered these 3 intact tombs buried deep in the great tumulus at Vergina. From the early stages of investigating the site, Andronikos maintained the idea that these belonged to the dynasty of Macedonian Kings confirming historian Nicolas Hammond’s theory of the same idea. Also uncovered in 1977, the infamous Tomb of Persephone held the most important and safely intact wall painting of this period. Although it contained no valuables inside, on its walls was this marvellous fresco, showing the Abduction/Rape of Perephone, the goddess of the four seasons, by Hades, the god of the underworld. Possibly the work of either famous Greek painters, Philoxenes or Nikomachos, supported by the shreds of pottery left in the tomb, it is the most amazing painting of its time, though who this artist was, it is unlikely we will ever know.
Throughout Greek mythology, Persephone has been perceived as an innocent and chaste goddess, the keeper of the four seasons, and all that grows and dies within them. This significant status in history is visually presented in ‘The Abduction of Persephone’ wall painting, where, she was taken into Hades’ underworld and the planet supposedly experienced a never-ending winter due to her mother's grief. In the wall painting, a contrast is made between the Persephone usually alluded to, where she is seen with a panic-stricken face and obvious resistance. Hades, with his firm grip on Persephone drags her away on his chariot, determined and led by Hermes. One of Persephone’s attendants, Cyannae is left in despair and clearly frightened. This scene is not only a “representation of the concept of seed and its earth with all its brutal implications (and) the impact of elemental brutality”[1], but its symbolic connection to the death of Philip II and his family of kings.
Placed on the north wall of the Tomb of Persphone, the great artistry and technique of this wall painting was almost forgotten amidst the gold and glitter of the discovery of these tombs. Dated to around 340 BC, this painting was composed in the time of Classical and Hellenistic Greek art. Advances in realistic painting technique grew which led many artists to focus their efforts on panels and frescoes during this time. ’The Abduction of Persephone’ wall painting is an example of this, where its freedom in line, rapid and shortened brushstrokes and subtle pastel colours allow for the emotional and naturalistic intention of most Hellenistic painters. As it is a very strong and dramatic work,it creates an illusion of depth and of the three-dimensional. The softness of the painting, gives a clear indication of the aims of Hellenistic and Classical painting as a whole, as it is one of few that remain closely intact to convey these ideas.
Classical and Hellenistic art spanned the years between 500-27 BC. Where the red-figure in vase painting soon declined, it gave rise to human movement, freedom, expression and nature. Painting also began to take over aswell, leaving sculpture in the Archaic and Dark Age’s of Greek art. As only a handful of these frescoes survive, the best preserved is ‘The Abduction of Persephone’ .The contours and structure of the two main figures are shaded realistically, such as the delicate, pink ,and folded fabric on Persephone. The composition of these figures and the way they flow together also suggests human likeness, though with the added divinity of most Hellenistic art.
Though robbed of all antiquities during the invasion of the Gauls in the 3rd century BC, the Tomb of Persephone still upholds ‘The Abduction of Persephone’ wall painting. Measuring 1m high by 3 m long, this painting was slightly damaged by this robbery, causing small fractures to occur along its face. This is not the only damage this painting has encountered, such as the wear of hundreds of years and the eventual sag of colours from its original palette. Damage of this kind, to such a significant painting, has led to the major reconstruction, repaint and replaster it attained during 1992.Creating a new scene for the viewer, it has dramatically impacted on its brilliance in the 20th century.
Due to the reconstruction of this painting and The Tomb of Persephone, Vergina has had significant worldwide renown during the late 1900’s.Since November 1997, the tombs and their treasures have been on display, highlighted in showcases and covered in a huge earthern mound. An underground building was constructed to enclose and protect the royal tombs, maintaining the stable temperature and humidity necessary to preserve the amazing wall paintings, in particular, ’The Abduction of Persephone’. Featured as the most important piece there, it is one of the last remaining Greek frescoes in such good condition. To protect this, the lighting has been subdued to focus on it and the particular Tomb of Persephone has been closed off, unable to be accessed by the public. Now a tourist site and converted into a museum, ’The Abduction of Persephone’ wall painting has gained international recognition and drawn all eyes on Greece.
The most significant painting of the 4th century BC to survive, ’The Abduction of Persephone’ wall painting, located in the Tomb of Persephone at Vergina, not only signifies Greek mythology and the expansion of Hellenistic and Classical Greek art, but emphasises the death of the great Philip II. Rich in emotion and realism, this painting has become such an important part of Greece, both in the past and the present.
[1] Letter, Adolph Gottlieb & Mark Ruthko,
Jun 7,1943:On the myth of Persephone
‘The Abduction of Persephone ‘ wall painting is one of the most significant surviving frescoes from the 4th century BC.This naturalistic painting, found in one of the royal Verginian tombs of Philip II, The Tomb of Persephone, it has become an important contribution to Greek mythology,Greek art and death of one of the most influential Greek rulers in history.
Vergina, located in Macedonia, northern Greece, houses the tombs of the royal Macedonian dynasty, including King Philip II and Alexander IV. Occupied during the beginning of the Early Bronze Age, Vergina was at its height during the Archaic and Classical periods of the 7th through to the 4th century BC.As the King of Macedonia during this time, Philip II’s death begun the string of tombs that is famously known to be there today. This area, dedicated to the reign of Philip and his descendants, consists of 3 tombs: the Tomb of Philip II, the Tomb of Persephone, which contains ‘The Abduction of Persephone’ wall painting and the Tomb of the Prince, all of which are hugely important buildings in the placement of Greek history.
On 8 November 1977, German archaeologist Manolis Andronikos discovered these 3 intact tombs buried deep in the great tumulus at Vergina. From the early stages of investigating the site, Andronikos maintained the idea that these belonged to the dynasty of Macedonian Kings confirming historian Nicolas Hammond’s theory of the same idea. Also uncovered in 1977, the infamous Tomb of Persephone held the most important and safely intact wall painting of this period. Although it contained no valuables inside, on its walls was this marvellous fresco, showing the Abduction/Rape of Perephone, the goddess of the four seasons, by Hades, the god of the underworld. Possibly the work of either famous Greek painters, Philoxenes or Nikomachos, supported by the shreds of pottery left in the tomb, it is the most amazing painting of its time, though who this artist was, it is unlikely we will ever know.
Throughout Greek mythology, Persephone has been perceived as an innocent and chaste goddess, the keeper of the four seasons, and all that grows and dies within them. This significant status in history is visually presented in ‘The Abduction of Persephone’ wall painting, where, she was taken into Hades’ underworld and the planet supposedly experienced a never-ending winter due to her mother's grief. In the wall painting, a contrast is made between the Persephone usually alluded to, where she is seen with a panic-stricken face and obvious resistance. Hades, with his firm grip on Persephone drags her away on his chariot, determined and led by Hermes. One of Persephone’s attendants, Cyannae is left in despair and clearly frightened. This scene is not only a “representation of the concept of seed and its earth with all its brutal implications (and) the impact of elemental brutality”[1], but its symbolic connection to the death of Philip II and his family of kings.
Placed on the north wall of the Tomb of Persphone, the great artistry and technique of this wall painting was almost forgotten amidst the gold and glitter of the discovery of these tombs. Dated to around 340 BC, this painting was composed in the time of Classical and Hellenistic Greek art. Advances in realistic painting technique grew which led many artists to focus their efforts on panels and frescoes during this time. ’The Abduction of Persephone’ wall painting is an example of this, where its freedom in line, rapid and shortened brushstrokes and subtle pastel colours allow for the emotional and naturalistic intention of most Hellenistic painters. As it is a very strong and dramatic work,it creates an illusion of depth and of the three-dimensional. The softness of the painting, gives a clear indication of the aims of Hellenistic and Classical painting as a whole, as it is one of few that remain closely intact to convey these ideas.
Classical and Hellenistic art spanned the years between 500-27 BC. Where the red-figure in vase painting soon declined, it gave rise to human movement, freedom, expression and nature. Painting also began to take over aswell, leaving sculpture in the Archaic and Dark Age’s of Greek art. As only a handful of these frescoes survive, the best preserved is ‘The Abduction of Persephone’ .The contours and structure of the two main figures are shaded realistically, such as the delicate, pink ,and folded fabric on Persephone. The composition of these figures and the way they flow together also suggests human likeness, though with the added divinity of most Hellenistic art.
Though robbed of all antiquities during the invasion of the Gauls in the 3rd century BC, the Tomb of Persephone still upholds ‘The Abduction of Persephone’ wall painting. Measuring 1m high by 3 m long, this painting was slightly damaged by this robbery, causing small fractures to occur along its face. This is not the only damage this painting has encountered, such as the wear of hundreds of years and the eventual sag of colours from its original palette. Damage of this kind, to such a significant painting, has led to the major reconstruction, repaint and replaster it attained during 1992.Creating a new scene for the viewer, it has dramatically impacted on its brilliance in the 20th century.
Due to the reconstruction of this painting and The Tomb of Persephone, Vergina has had significant worldwide renown during the late 1900’s.Since November 1997, the tombs and their treasures have been on display, highlighted in showcases and covered in a huge earthern mound. An underground building was constructed to enclose and protect the royal tombs, maintaining the stable temperature and humidity necessary to preserve the amazing wall paintings, in particular, ’The Abduction of Persephone’. Featured as the most important piece there, it is one of the last remaining Greek frescoes in such good condition. To protect this, the lighting has been subdued to focus on it and the particular Tomb of Persephone has been closed off, unable to be accessed by the public. Now a tourist site and converted into a museum, ’The Abduction of Persephone’ wall painting has gained international recognition and drawn all eyes on Greece.
The most significant painting of the 4th century BC to survive, ’The Abduction of Persephone’ wall painting, located in the Tomb of Persephone at Vergina, not only signifies Greek mythology and the expansion of Hellenistic and Classical Greek art, but emphasises the death of the great Philip II. Rich in emotion and realism, this painting has become such an important part of Greece, both in the past and the present.
[1] Letter, Adolph Gottlieb & Mark Ruthko,
Jun 7,1943:On the myth of Persephone
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