The Orientalizing period and the Archaic period overlap within the 6 th century, Orientalizing period occurring during the Archaic. On display at The British Museum The Orientalizing Period of Greek Pottery The Antimenes Painter: Herakles and the Erymanthian boar amphora. Human figures and incredible epics were often portrayed in black-figure during this time, with more attention on anatomic proportions making things more life-like.

Designs in the Archaic period became much less rigid and more natural than they were in the previous eras.

They were mainly based in Corinth, and held a monopoly on the design until the early 6 th century. This era was the start of the rise of black-figure painters. The Archaic period was during the 6 th century BC while the artistic hub, Athens, was rising with its pottery market. Terracotta Krater from the Geometric Period on display at the Met The Archaic Period

Then, in Athens, the Greek cultural center, there came the adoption of the black figure technique style of painting, calling for great depictions of heroic ventures and stories. Again mainly linear and stiff lines and shapes with a lack of movement. The designs eventually evolved into crude and abstract human and animal shapes. With all the linear shapes and lines, it’s no wonder they call it the Geometric period! This period was between roughly 1000 and 700 BC. The Geometric period displayed various patterns full of decorative lines, linear patterns, including a mixture of many different shapes. Abstract patterns and geometric shapes were the most common. During this period, pottery was primarily influenced by traditional Mycenean decorations. The earliest Greek pottery derives from the Geometric period. Well, Greek pottery wasn’t always so grand and detailed. When you first think of ancient Greece, what do you think of? Do you think of great mythological stories of wondrous adventures as told through intricate pottery depicting these great scenes? Greek art is incredibly fascinating and is something that many coveted, both in ancient times (we are looking at you, Romans) and modern-day.

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