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What Pliny said about painting, “de picturae imitis inserta,” can also be said about sculpture. One can be certain that Greek art started out by imitating Oriental art. However, contrary to other ancient civilisations, the Greeks only followed lessons as a means to react against their masters.

Ibex Porter

Assyrian Empire, 8th century B. C.

Alabastrite low relief, height 2.68 m

The Louvre, Paris

If they did not invent art, they did invent beauty. Aphrodite of Melos (The Louvre Museum, 2nd century BC) may be the most magnificent specimen of Greek art. She is marvelously composed – the curves of her torso, the fineness of her skin – and she is the perfect equation between the subject and the style.

Tribute procession of the Medes

Assyrian Empire, 8th century B. C.

Alabastrite low relief, height 1.62 m

The Louvre, Paris

The Aphrodite of Melos, like other Gods and Goddesses, demonstrates the useful influence that mythology had on the arts. In believing that man had been made in the image of Gods and that Gods had all the passions of men, that is, in creating Gods in their image, the Greeks tried to recreate the most perfect forms to represent divinities in a worthy manner: model, prototype, apotheosis of humanity.

Spinning Woman

Iran, 8th or 7th century B. C.

Bitume, low relief, 9.2 × 13 cm

The Louvre, Paris

We should not forget that the old Greek idols had not only been painted but were also dressed and had servants, priests and wives. They were, according to Ottfried Miller, washed, waxed, scrubbed, dressed and adorned with crowns as well as jewelry.

Aryballos. Vase in the Form of a Kneeling Athlete

580 B. C.

Museum of the Agora of Athens