Ancient Greek Art

Part 3

Classical Sculpture

480-320 BCE

Classical Sculpture Key Ideas

• Contrapposto – Innovation in stance of sculpture

• Idealized form in a naturalistic, but general manner

• Classical canon of proportion developed by Polykleitos (head is 1/7 size of body)

• Late period (Praxiteles as most prominent sculptor) made head 1/8 of body

Kritios Boy, marble.

• Transition piece from Archaic to Classical

• Named after artist• Introduction of

contrapposto!!!• Body turned slightly, while

head turns slightly the other way, leading viewer’s eyes to move over statue

How is this different than the Archaic style?

• Point out as many differences as possible.

The Discus Thrower, Myron, marble copy of bronze original

• Movement capture mid-swing

• Frontal view• Idealized heroic body• Pose looks pleasing, but

can’t throw that way!• Expressionless face

Spear Bearer, Polykleitos, marble copy from bronze original

• Alternating tense/relaxed• Closed composition• Broad shoulders• Canon of proportions• He ignores your attention• Warrior/athlete• Spartan ideal

Warrior, bronze

Nike Adjusting Her Sandal, marble

• From Temple of Athena Nike

• High relief (not in the round)

• Not nude, but suggestion of form under wet drapery

Aphrodite of Knidos, Praxiteles, marble copy

• Meant to be viewed voyeuristically

• S-curves of body• Sensual nude, innovative

for female nudity

Scraper, Lysippos, marble copy from bronze original

• Only sculptor known to be chosen by Alexander the Great to create his portrait

• Athlete scraping off oil and dirt after competition

• Arms extend into space• lanky body• Smaller head• Torsion, twisting of knee• Breaks from frontal

viewing

Hellenistic Art

320-30 BCE

Hellenistic Sculpture Key Ideas

• Focus shifts to the emotion of the individual• Expressionism• Use of negative space• Intended to be viewed from all sides• More movement, twisting forms

Gallic Chieftain Killing His Wife and Himself, marble copy after bronze original

• Enemy leader kills his wife, then himself

• Twisting• Emotional• Heroic• Hair is disheveled• Barbarians

Dying Gaul, marble copy of bronze original

• Trumpeter/soldier collapsing and near death

• Viewed from all around• Blood oozes form wound• Barbarian foe seen as heroic –

heightens the victory• Great emotion• Realistic• Twisting• Compare to archaic dying

warrior

Nike of Samothrace, marble.

• Once part of a fountain• Wet drapery look• Commemorates naval victory• Dramatic twisting of torso• contrapposto

Aphrodite of Melos (Venus de Milo), marble

• Reminiscent of classical, but turning form of Hellenistic

• Nude• Erotic• S- curves• One hand held an apple (her

symbol)

Laocoon, Rhodes Sculptors, marble

• Trojan priest who attempted to warn Troy about the horse – punished by the gods who supported the Greeks

• Emotional, high drama• Twisting forms• Mostly frontal, but can be

viewed from any angle• Curved forms make your eye

wander• Tremendous negative space

More Hellenistic