- Archaic period, in history and archaeology, the earliest phases of a culture.
- The term is most used to denote the period of artistic development in Greece from about 650 to 480 bc, the date of the Persian sack of Athens.
- During the Archaic period, Greek art became less rigidly stylized and more naturalistic.
- “Archaic smile”
Kouros and Kore were marble grave markers that replaced huge vases of the Geometric period. They emulate the stance of Egyptian sculpture, but are nude. Also arms and legs largely cut free from the stone. This is when we see the first negative space in art scupltures. Their legs appear to stride forward, similar to the Egytians but in contrast to many Egyptian works that are are attached to stone.
Pediment
Limestone sculpture fits into the pediment shape of the Greek temple. The triangular space framed by the cornices is the location of the most significant sculptural decoration on the exterior of the building. Lot's of pediments are decorated with intracte friezes which are broad horizontal bands of sculpted or painted decoration, especially on a wall near the ceiling.