Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Top 10 Artistic Terms
Top 10 Artistic Terms
1. Kouros/Kore
The first monumental sculptures in Greek art: a
kouros
was a youth, a
kore
a
maiden. The plural is
koroi
.
2. Capital
The top of a column. There are three main Greek forms: Doric, a simple slab;
Ionic, a carved scroll; and Corinthian, an acanthus-leaf pattern.
3. Caryatids
Sculptures of women that acted as columns. The most famous are at the Erech-
theion at the Acropolis.
4. Pediment
The triangular gable on the façade of a temple where relief sculptures are often
carved.
5. Frieze
The horizontal band running below the pediment of a temple, carved with floral,
geometric or other decorative motifs.
6. Krater
A large ceramic or bronze bowl for mixing wine and water, often beautifully dec-
orated.
7. Black-Figure
The earliest type of Greek vase-painting: black figures are etched into red ceram-
ic glaze, creating a somewhat stiff, formal image.
