Final answer:
In the Classical era, pottery was appreciated for its aesthetic value, with vase painters in Athens depicting realistic scenes, indicating that it was indeed considered art. Greek artists developed unique, naturalistic styles away from earlier stylizations, with later periods regarding Classical crafts as artistic models, confirming the artistic merit of Classical pottery.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the Classical era, pottery was not only a utilitarian item but also considered an art form. Vase painters in Athens began to prioritize realistic scenes from mythology and everyday life over mere patterns, indicating a cultural appreciation for the aesthetic value of such works. This was a time when art became more widely aesthetically appreciated, transcending its mere practical uses. Artists of the era, including those working with ceramics, aimed to convey the ideal human form through their crafts, which was an essential attribute of art in the Classical period.
The development of more naturalistic approaches to both sculpture and pottery painting was evident as Greek artists moved away from the heavily stylized art of neighboring cultures. They broke free from the influence of Egyptian and Levantine art, creating their own unique styles that focused on realism and idealistic portrayals of the human form. This shift is indicative of a broader trend in the Classical era where art, including pottery, was appreciated and created to be pleasing to the observer. Pottery, thus, had a dual function: utilitarian and as an object of beauty and expression, qualifying it as art.
Centuries later, during the European Renaissance, artists looked back to these Classical models as paragons of aesthetic perfection, further emphasizing the significant role that pottery and other forms of art played in Classical antiquity. This reverence for the Classical era's artistic achievements confirms that pottery from that time was indeed considered art.