Classical vs. Hellenistic Greek Art

What's the Difference?

Classical Art

Classical art refers to the artistic styles and techniques used in ancient Greece during the 5th and 4th centuries BC. It is characterized by its emphasis on balance, harmony, and realism. Classical Greek art often depicts gods, goddesses, and other mythological figures in idealized forms. Famous examples of Classical Greek art include the Parthenon sculptures and the statue of Aphrodite.

Hellenistic Art

Hellenistic art is a term used to describe the art produced by the Greeks after the death of Alexander the Great in 323 BC. Hellenistic art is characterized by its eclecticism and its emphasis on emotion and movement. Hellenistic sculptors often depicted scenes of everyday life and used exaggerated gestures and expressions to convey emotion. Famous examples of Hellenistic art include the Winged Victory of Samothrace and the Laocoön and His Sons sculptures.

Comparison of Classical and Hellenistic Art

The following table compares the key differences between Classical and Hellenistic Greek art:

Characteristic	Classical Art	Hellenistic Art
Time period	5th and 4th centuries BC	After the death of Alexander the Great (323 BC)
Emphasis	Balance, harmony, realism	Eclecticism, emotion, movement
Subject matter	Gods, goddesses, mythological figures	Scenes of everyday life
Style	Idealized forms	Exaggerated gestures and expressions
Famous examples	Parthenon sculptures, statue of Aphrodite	Winged Victory of Samothrace, Laocoön and His Sons sculptures