A feature article published by The Guardian focuses on ancient Greek art and especially on ten exquisite artworks that stand out due to their originality and artistic quality.

Jonathan Jones, who writes on art for The Guardian and was on the jury for the 2009 Turner prize presents ten Greek masterpieces, from rare bronzes found in the sea to goddesses that proved a millennium ahead of their time.

Fallen Warrior from Temple of Aphaia (c 480-470BC)

“There is a tragic pathos to this mighty sculpture of a dying hero from a temple on the Greek island of Aegina,” states the columnist. This pathos is reminiscent of the tragedies of Sophocles, Euripides and Aeschylus which are still performed around the world.

The Pergamon altar (180-160BC)

As the article underlines, classical Greek art became much more emotional, sensual and even sensationalist in what is called the Hellenistic age. The furious sculptures on the Pergamon altar – which can be seen in its own museum in Berlin – are full of passion and psychological drama.

The Riace bronzes (460-420BC)

These magnificent statues found in the sea off southern Italy in 1972 are extremely important because so few original Greek bronze statues survive. Most of the classical nudes were carved in marble in the Roman era, as reproductions of such rare originals.

Goddesses from the east pediment of the Parthenon (c 438-432BC)

“Sitting and reclining in graceful unison, these goddesses carved in marble for the Parthenon in Athens are among the most beautiful and mysterious images of the human form ever created,” states Jonathan Jones.
Marble metope from the Parthenon (c 447-438BC)

Marble metope from the Parthenon (c 447-438BC)

Violence is a favorite theme of ancient Greek artists. Inspired by the myth of the Trojan war and experiencing the reality of wars with Persia and between Greek cities, classical artists found new, realistic ways to show conflict. This human fighting a centaur, carved for the Parthenon in Athens, is full of dynamic energy.\

God from the sea, Zeus or Poseidon (c 470BC)

“This majestic bronze, found in the sea off Greece, conveys the magic of Greek mythology,” says the columnist. The god , who is probably Zeus, lord of Olympus himself, is caught in the act of hurling a thunderbolt. His body is charged with divine power, and yet, it is a human body, the mirror of ourselves.

The Siren vase (480-470BC)

This powerful painting captures the tension as Odysseus strains at his bonds, trying to resist the seductive yet dangerous song of the sirens that lure sailors to their deaths.

The Motya charioteer (c 350BC)
This is one of the most impressive Greek statues to survive. This youth is not technically nude, but wears a tight-fitting garment that instead of hiding his body, heightens every contour.

The Dionysus Cup by Exekias (c 540BC)

Dionysus, god of wine and madness, sails on his boat, surrounded by dolphins, in this delightful painting.

Mask of Agamemnon (1550-1500BC)

When archaeologist Heinrich Schliemann discovered this golden mask at Mycenae in 1876, he had no doubt that it must be the death mask of Agamemnon himself, the king who led the Greeks in the Trojan war. Of course there’s no proof of that, but it is one of the most compelling faces in art.