Polygnotus facts for kids

Polygnotus (Greek: Πολύγνωτος Polygnotos) was a very famous ancient Greek painter. He lived in the middle of the 5th century BC. He was known for his amazing wall paintings, especially in public buildings. People thought he was one of the greatest painters of his time.

Who Was Polygnotus?

Polygnotus came from the island of Thasos. He later moved to Athens, a very important city in ancient Greece. He was known for his serious and grand style of painting. He often painted large scenes from Greek myths and history.

His Unique Painting Style

Polygnotus was special because he changed how people painted. Before him, paintings often looked flat. Polygnotus started using different levels and perspectives. This made his paintings look more three-dimensional.

He also focused on showing feelings and character. His figures looked noble and thoughtful. He used simple colors but arranged them in a way that made the scenes powerful. He was one of the first to show people with open mouths, which added to the drama.

Famous Works and Locations

Polygnotus painted many large murals. These were big paintings on walls. Two of his most famous works were in Delphi, a very important religious site.

• The Sack of Troy: This painting showed the famous story of the Trojan War. It depicted the destruction of the city of Troy.
• The Underworld: This painting showed the Greek idea of the afterlife. It was called the Nekyia.

He also painted in other places, like the Stoa Poikile (Painted Porch) in Athens. These paintings told stories of Greek heroes and battles. Even though his original paintings are gone, we know about them from ancient writers. They described his works in great detail.

Why Polygnotus Was Important

Polygnotus was very important for the history of art. He helped art move from simple, flat designs to more complex and realistic scenes. He influenced many artists who came after him. He showed that painting could tell deep stories and show human emotions. His work helped shape the way ancient Greek art developed.

Images for kids

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  Reconstruction of Nekyia by Polygnotus (1892)

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  Reconstruction of Iliupersis by Polygnotus (1893)

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  Reconstruction of Marathon by Polygnotus (1895)