Motywy orientalne w greckim malarstwie wazowym okresu geometrycznego (Kronika Geometryczna)

Abstract

The article discusses the formation of the painting decoration of Greek pottery from the geometric period considered from the perspective of the potential sources of inspiration from which its creators could draw. Similarity between numerous iconographic motifs appearing on Greek vessels and the presentations known from the Oriental art suggests that the latter could influence the artistic awareness of the ancient Greeks. This direction of influence is also suggested by other premises resulting from the character of the general activity of Greeks in the 8th century B.C. and their relations with the external world. However, in many cases, pinpointing such dependencies is considerably hindered. On the one hand, there are diverse sources of influence, among which the tradition of the Minoan and Mycenaean art which certainly overlapped with other impulses coming, for example, from the East plays an important role. On the other hand, the character of the artistic language of the Greek geometric art is so simplified in pottery painting that it might lose important details that indicate exemplary sources of inspiration. Thus, in many examples of geometric pottery presentations, we have no such certainty or we completely do not see links between the Greek geometric art and the art of the East. However, it does not rule out its influence on the shape of other iconographic motifs and compositional schemas used for decorating geometric vessels. Among the compositions of Greek vessel decoration from the geometric period in which one can notice eastern aesthetic impulses, exist aesthetic impulses that show the world of Greek funeral rituals (prothesis and ekphora scenes) and depictions defined as “battle scenes”. In both categories, the iconographic similarities to the Oriental art are so perceptible that one can venture a statement that a Greek potter could use the already existing patterns which were created in the East.