Final answer:
Ancient Greek painters aimed for realism in their artworks, evolving from the Archaic period's stylized forms to more naturalistic depictions in the Classical and Hellenistic periods, inspiring later art movements like Neoclassicism.
Step-by-step explanation:
Based on the accounts of ancient historians, Greek painters strove for realism in their work. This pursuit of a realistic style is evident across different periods of Greek art history. For example, during the Classical period, there was a shift away from the heavily stylized figures and patterns of the Archaic period as artists began to depict more naturalistic scenes from myths and daily life. Over time, the focus on realism only increased.
By the Hellenistic period, Greek art had evolved to depict ever more humanized figures with non-idealized, realistic portrayals that emphasized emotion and drama. These works often featured extended and spiraling forms, representing a culmination of the realistic style in Greek art. Additionally, Roman paintings, which were heavily influenced by Greek works, also exhibited sophisticated visual techniques to convey realistic space and details, including atmospheric and near one-point linear perspective.
Overall, the ancient Greek artists set a foundation for the realistic portrayal of human forms and scenes, which would significantly influence the Renaissance and later movements, like Neoclassicism, which looked back to classical forms and proportions as an ideal standard.