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What are the main dates of the Geometric, Orientalizing, Archaic, Classical, and Hellenistic periods of Greek sculpture?
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Western sculpture
Hagar, marble sculpture by Edmonia Lewis, 1875; in the Smithsonian American Art Museum, Washington, D.C.
The history of ancient Greek sculpture is generally categorized into five distinct periods. These divisions are modern and arbitrary, serving as a guide to successive artistic trends rather than representing sharp, universal breaks.1
| Period | Approximate Dates |
| :--- | :--- |
| Geometric | c. 900–800 BCE1|
| Orientalizing | c. 800–650 BCE1|
| Archaic | c. 650–480 BCE1|
| Classical | c. 480–330 BCE1|
| Hellenistic | c. 330–late 1st century BCE1|
- Geometric period: Characterized by the rectilinear nature of its art, this era saw Greece as largely self-contained with rare outside contact.1
- Orientalizing period: Marked by renewed contact with the East, which introduced new techniques such as the use of molds and an interest in monumental statuary.12
- Archaic period: Defined by the absorption of Eastern elements and the rise of monumental Greek sculpture, including the development of the kouros figure.12
- Classical period: Beginning with the rise of sculptors such as Myron, Phidias, and Polyclitus, this era emphasized balance and naturalism.13
- Hellenistic period: Initiated by the conquests of Alexander the Great, this period saw the diffusion of Greek art across the Middle East and Asia, characterized by increased realism and emotional expression.14