Religion and Art in Ancient Greece   By: Ernest Arthur Gardner (1862-1939)

Religion and Art in Ancient Greece by Ernest Arthur Gardner offers a comprehensive and insightful exploration of the intricate relationship between religion and art in the vibrant civilization of ancient Greece. Through meticulous research and eloquent analysis, Gardner adeptly delves into the multifaceted ways in which religion influenced artistic expression, and how art, in turn, acted as a vehicle for religious ideas and rituals.

One of the book's strengths lies in its organization. Gardner methodically examines various aspects of ancient Greek religion, from the gods and goddesses to myths and rituals, highlighting their profound impact on artistic creation. By adopting a chronological approach, he effectively demonstrates the evolution of religious beliefs and their reflection in art across different historical periods.

Gardner's writing style is accessible and engaging, making this book highly readable for both scholars and general readers interested in ancient Greek history and culture. He effortlessly combines scholarly rigor with evocative descriptions, allowing readers to fully appreciate the aesthetic and spiritual significance of the artworks discussed.

Moreover, the book is richly illustrated with numerous high-quality images of ancient Greek sculptures, pottery, and architecture. These visual aids complement Gardner's analysis, offering readers a tangible understanding of the artistic accomplishments of the era. The inclusion of detailed captions further enhances the educational value of the images, ensuring that they are not merely decorative but serve a didactic purpose.

One criticism of the book is its occasional tendency to dwell on tangential topics, which momentarily disrupts the flow of the narrative. While these digressions provide interesting insights, they can distract from the central focus of the relationship between religion and art. Nonetheless, Gardner's overall mastery of the subject matter compensates for this minor detraction.

Religion and Art in Ancient Greece is an invaluable resource for anyone seeking a comprehensive examination of the interplay between religion and art in a fascinating ancient civilization. Gardner's meticulous research and engaging prose make this book an essential read for students, scholars, and enthusiasts alike. It sheds new light on the extraordinary legacy of Greek art, revealing the deep-rooted connections between faith and creativity that continue to resonate through the ages.

First Page:

Greek religion may be studied under various aspects; and many recent contributions to this study have been mainly concerned either with the remote origin of many of its ceremonies in primitive ritual, or with the manner in which some of its obscurer manifestations met the deeper spiritual needs which did not find satisfaction in the official cults. Such discussions are of the highest interest to the anthropologist and to the psychologist; but they have the disadvantage of fixing our attention too exclusively on what, to the ordinary Greek, appeared accidental or even morbid, and of making us regard the Olympian pantheon, with its clearly realised figures of the gods, as a mere system imposed more or less from outside upon the old rites and beliefs of the people. In the province of art, at least, the Olympian gods are paramount; and thus we are led to appreciate and to understand their worship as it affected the religious ideals of the people and the services of the State. For we must remember that in the case of religion even more than in that of art, its essential character and its influence upon life and thought lie rather in its full perfection than in its origin... Continue reading book >>