Final answer:
In the Classical Era, pottery was indeed considered art, especially elite pottery that featured elaborate decoration. Utilitarian pottery served practical purposes but could also be adorned with artistic elements, highlighting the dual appreciation for both functionality and aesthetics in pottery of that era.
Step-by-step explanation:
Was Classical Pottery Considered Art in the Classical Era?
In the Classical Era, there were varying views on whether pottery was considered art. Some forms of pottery, known as utilitarian pottery, were primarily made for domestic use and even though they might be decorated, their main purpose was functionality. However, there was also what is known as elite pottery, which was finely crafted and elaborately decorated, showcasing a high regard for detail and often created for ornamental purposes or for holding precious liquids. Therefore, these pieces were appreciated not just for their practical uses but also for their aesthetic value.
During the Classical era, especially in places such as Athens, vase painters began to focus more on realism and scenes from daily life or mythology rather than purely on patterns, thus delivering a form of artistic expression. Moreover, the appreciation of ceramics as an art form is reinforced by the fact that decorated pottery was highly valued and sometimes sold for large sums of money. This indicates that pottery was indeed appreciated for both its functionality and its artistic merits within the Classical era.
Ultimately, the contemporary viewpoint that distinguishes between 'fine art' like painting or sculpture and 'material culture' or 'craft' did not necessarily apply in the same way during classical antiquity, and what might today be considered a craft was very much part of the art realm back then.