The beginning of Hellenistic Greek art
8/12/2569
The beginning of Hellenistic Greek art
Ptolemy transformed himself into a driven idealist persuading the Egyptians to accept the Nile Valley as a kingdom of peace. He advocated for a tranquil kingdom and most importantly one focused on profit. With these goals in mind he built and restored Egyptian temples adorned with floral columns and exquisite bas-reliefs. The hallmarks were a fusion of Greek and Eastern cultures emphasizing realism intense emotion and vivid movement.
This precious stone pendant or brooch is The Gonzaga Cameo a masterpiece of Hellenistic art from Antinia/Alexandria ancient Egypt. A bas-relief on Sardonyx depicts the profiles of Ptolemy II and his wife Arsinoe II.
He constructed the Temple of Sacred Power the principal temple of the original creator god a figure prevalent in ancient Egyptian history. The origins of this temple lie in a blend of ancient Egyptian and Hellenistic Greek art. After the Ptolemaic dynasty's arrival in Egypt they combined Greek realism and humanistic styles with the solemnity and formality of traditional Egyptian art. Examples include winged statues of the goddess of victory with flowing garments and sculptures depicting pain and despair.
The marble head of a king from the Ptolemaic dynasty believed to be Ptolemy IV Philopator or Ptolemy VI Philometor is currently on display at the Louvre Museum in France.
The creation of the statue of Serapis combining elements of both Greek and Egyptian mythology based on the ancient Mediterranean belief in the son of a god marked a significant step in the construction and planning of Alexandria the capital city situated on the southern Mediterranean coast. Heading east to unify territories into new city-states and vast territories in northern India Ptolemy was determined to preserve traditions and culture.
Pompey's Pillar in Alexandria Egypt is a large, ancient Roman triumphal pillar made of red granite approximately 27 meters high located on the site of the archaeological site of Serapeum.
While Ptolemy was committed to preserving traditions and culture he also incorporated ideas from the Egyptian pharaohs. The city of Alexandria became a world center of knowledge. The construction of the Great Library of Alexandria and its museums encompassed all branches of knowledge. Influences from Persia and Egypt resulted in a more opulent and diverse style creating sculptures of goddesses of beauty with graceful proportions in the Greek style.
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