The Start of Everything

When did human start to think about themselves? 
When did human want to express their ideas? 
......
In book ART OF THE WESTERN WORLD wrote by Michael Wood, a Oxford Historian,  I found a lot of answers for questions such like these. 

Q: Who is the most ancient art creator?
A: Before the Roman took over the Greek in 86 B.C., the Greek already had a deep knowledge about history, philosophy, astronomy, mathematics, poetry, drama, music, and aesthetics. The Greek art is a significant start of western art. 

Q: What inspired the Greek to do art?
A: The Greek believed that everything is born for a reason, and this also included art. The Greek art often showed how the Greek desired perfection. Things such as origins, destiny, morality, and government were made into art. Lots of the later western art is based on this idea. 

Q: In what ways does the Greek apply their art? 
A: When democracy was introduced at the end of sixth century, art was more involved in normal citizen's life. Art in this time start to show more about nature, individual and idea. Painters at this time often paint on pot that is used in daily life. But the most important art form the Greek made is sculptures and architectures. The most famous of all is the temple Parthenon. The Greek temples are often open structure instead of closed ones. At first these temples or sculptures were mad of mud and wood, but later the Greek found stone is a better material to make these art. 

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Q: How does the Greek art reflect about what they are thinking? 
A: The Greek were a group of deep-thinking people. They treat their bodies as well as their minds. The Greek also loved to debate about the nature and themselves. They admire good characteristics such as pride, courage, strength, honesty and virtue. Perfection on body, mind is what the Greek wanted to achieve. The philosopher, Plato, said:  "If there are arts, there is a standard of measure, and if there is a standard of measure, there are arts; but if either is wanting, there is neither".    This is fully reflected the art that the Greek made can't leave measuring. The rule that was settled by nature is the most important thing. 

How did the art evolved after the Greek? Let's find out in my next post! :)