Discover Greek art with Bellavista

Greek art has exerted a considerable influence on many countries throughout history. From ancient times to the present day, the fields of sculpture and architecture have been led by the Hellenes. From Asia Minor to the Iberian Peninsula, discover the jewels of ancient Greece.

Historians place the beginning of ancient Greek art in the 4th century BC. As time progressed, black figures and statuettes slowly evolved into grandiose monuments. The production of figurines dates back several hundred years before the Hellenistic period. The tombs of Greek heroes received thousands of figurines depicting figures with raised arms. These were made of metal or bronze, and could also be found in Greek sanctuaries such as Olympus, where many are still hidden. Animals are also represented on small statuettes, mostly horses for transport and sheep, the staple diet of the time.

In ancient Greek, the word for art is tékhné (τέχνη), meaning above all skill and ability. So it was only natural that anyone who made an object with his hands was recognized. Pottery played an important role in Greek civilization, as you’ll discover when you stroll the picturesque streets of the Greek islands. As far back as the 8th century B.C., clay wares were being beautifully crafted. The finer the detail, the more valuable the pottery. Pottery often took the form of amphorae for storing wine. At the Olympics, young men won numerous prizes, including wine and high-quality vessels. The winners would then go on a drinking binge for several days, invoking Dionysus. Influential figures were found with large funeral jars at their sides. We can therefore consider that jars were synonymous with luxury and opulence in Greek civilization. These amphorae are painted with numerous ochre-red figures. They depict human bodies, jars and animals. Winners had their exploits drawn on their prizes.

After Greek sculpture, Greek ceramics, we have Greek painting. Pliny the Elder, an influential man of ancient Greece, argued that painting is the most respected form of art. Painters used to compose on wood, depicting scenes of daily life, animals or landscapes. Paintings were exhibited in public, with notables traveling to Delphi or Athens to acquire the best pieces. As the years went by, artists had to distinguish themselves through a different skill. This is how mural painting emerged. The artist had no room for error: once the brush had been placed on the pencil drawing, it had to be continued, as the ink was indelible. The Romans copied this technique, and it was the Italians who perfected mural painting during the Renaissance.

Finally, let’s take a look at one of the most beautiful aspects of Greek civilization: its architecture. Greek cities have winding streets, hilly landscapes and whitewashed walls. Many ancient Greek villages were built on hilltops. This served as a privileged vantage point should a surprise attack be undertaken by an enemy region. The walls were painted white to keep out the heat. Droughts were commonplace, so it was impossible to live with a road or dark walls that absorbed the sun’s rays. Lime is ideal because it’s natural and has pores, so inhabitants can breathe without difficulty and without poisoning themselves. Roofs can sometimes be light blue in color, which makes them slightly less cool and keeps the house at a pleasant temperature.

Want to live like the locals? Then we invite you to take a look at our whitewashed villas. On the magnificent island of Santorini, Bellavista invites you to escape to this sumptuous property overlooking the turquoise-blue waves of the Aegean Sea. This property is sophisticated and built in classic Mykonos architecture. This beautiful villa renovated in 2014 on the island of Santorini consists of a variation of blue tones combined with traditional materials from the Cyclades with a Venetian influence, all in an authentic, modern traditional style.

If you prefer the luxury of a more intimate setting, we suggest this charming home with its authentic wooden pergola. This hillside villa with its whitewashed walls will give you an unforgettable Greek experience. The icing on the cake: our third charming home boasts a panoramic view of the entire Aegean Sea. It’s the ideal place to spend your vacation in a quiet, idyllic setting.