Definition

Noun: 1. The artistic style of ancient Greek art with its emphasis on proportion and harmony: This term specifically refers to the aesthetic principles and visual characteristics found in the art and architecture of ancient Greece, particularly from the 5th and 4th centuries BCE. It is characterized by ideals of balance, order, symmetry, and clarity.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • The Parthenon is the supreme example of the classical style in architecture.
  • Sculptures from that period exhibit the classical style, with their idealized human forms and serene expressions.
  • Art historians study the transition from the archaic to the classical style in Greek pottery.

Advanced Usage

• "In the classical style": Created or performed according to the principles of the classical style.
  • The composer wrote a symphony in the classical style, adhering to traditional forms. (Note: This example refers to music, which is a different but related application of the term "classical," not the specific ancient Greek artistic style. It is included here to show a common, broader usage.)
• The term is often used as a benchmark for judging later art that seeks to emulate its qualities.

Variants and Related Words

• Classical (adj): Relating to ancient Greek or Roman culture, or denoting a style that is simple, harmonious, and restrained.
  • She prefers classical music to modern pop.
• Classicism (n): The following of ancient Greek or Roman principles and style in art and literature, generally associated with harmony, restraint, and adherence to recognized standards of form.
  • The building's design is an exercise in classicism.
• Neoclassical (adj): Denoting a revival of a classical style, especially in art, architecture, or literature, from the 18th and 19th centuries.
  • The neoclassical courthouse features columns and a pediment.

Synonyms

• Classic style: A very similar term, though "classical" more strongly implies the ancient Greek and Roman origins.
• Greco-Roman style: Emphasizes the combined influence of both Greek and Roman antiquity.

Related Phrases

• The classical orders: Refers to the styles of classical architecture defined by the design of columns and entablature (Doric, Ionic, Corinthian).
  • The architect carefully studied the classical orders.

Related Idioms

Noun

1. the artistic style of ancient Greek art with its emphasis on proportion and harmony