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Ancient scenography and scenographers

Μελέτες και άρθρα

• Μικεδάκη, Μαρία

Our knowledge on ancient scenographers is very limited and based on abstract information drawn from various written sources. In most circumstances these sources name a few scenographers, without providing any evidence on the content of the scenery used by them. However, the semantics of the term “scaenography” leads to the conclusion that the scenery mainly depicted three-dimensional buildings that provided an illusional perception of depth. The introduction of scenography is attributed to Agatharchos from Samos, who had also been occupied with wall-painting. Other scenographers have also been credited to be occupied with other activities, apart from the ancient theater: Kleisthenes from Eretria was also an architect, Eudoros also created bronze statues and Herakleides worked on metallurgy projects as well. This fact indicates that probably professional scenographers could not make a living through scenography only, the reason being that in the annual theatrical spectacles the same scenery was constantly used, unless it had been worn or damaged and needed to be repaired. This practice points out that the representations of the scenery of that time should be general with regard to what it represented, so as to be used in more than one dramas. However, in case some ambitious “producer” of the era considered that the existing scenery could not cover thematically the needs of a particular drama, they could as well use a special set of their own, as it has been the case in Delos about 189 BC, according to a relevant inscription found.

• Arts
• History and Archaeology

• Θέατρο, Ελληνικό
• Ιστορία, Αρχαία