The notorious Greek sculptor Polykleitos designed a sculptural work as a demonstration of his written treatise, entitled the Canon. This Canon was an example of what he considered to be the perfect, harmonious, and balanced proportions of the human body in the sculpted form. His canon was a theoretical work that was based on ideal mathematical proportions. Polykleitos was obsessed with the male figure and was determined to get the proportions correct, which he wound up doing. His sculpture, Doryphoros, featured chiastic and contrapposto in order to contribute naturalism to the image. In this sculpture Doryphoros was supposedly holding a spear in order to balance out the figure. Also in order to create a sense of counterbalance Polykleitos made
“Pathos Hephaestus Eros” is a steel sculpture which stands
In the early Archaic period, the Greek sculptures were very similar to the Geometric art period. As the Greeks are being exposed to other art, they started to make their statuary look more like a real human beings instead of the gods with no facial structure. During the New York Kouros, the Kroisos, from Anavysos, Greece, statue is a good example of how the statue of a young male, posing in a natural stance. With closed hollow eyes, no expression on his face.
In addition, the Greeks made the statues naked to show power. Techniques used for the art was to make a strong lifelike figure of the hero made of marble and make some free space between the arms from the body and the legs from
On this sculpture there are carvings that features putti holding a round frame which is a portrait of a man located in the
Political figures in art has always been an important part of our history, culture and artistic representation, Roman and Byzantine art is a classic case of these representations. The Equestrian Statue of Marcus Aurelius and Justinian as World Conqueror are two examples that demonstrate the power and prestige of these political authorities. First, Equestrian Statue of Marcus Aurelius from the Roman, Italy (173-176 CE) measures 11’6” high, cast in bronze. Secondly, Justinian as World conqueror from Byzantium period measures 13” x 11” entire panel, center panel 7” x 5” and 1” deep. The creator of the equestrian statue is unknown, however, the creator of Justinian’s ivory relief was probably made by the imperial work of Constantinople.
One arc is formed by both arms, and this is almost perpendicular to the other arc, which is formed by his hips, torso, and head. Another thing to take notice of is that the figure is not only idealized, but he is shown in the nude. This was common in the depictions of male people in Greek art, as a celebration of the greatness and beauty that the human body can achieve. Also, the fact that the subject matter of this sculpture is a person throwing a discus truly embodies the significance of fitness, sports and athletics in the ancient Greek culture, which again brings the ideal human body into
On the Cycladic islands, early bronze age individuals utilized white marble to make puppets of individuals. The stone workers made smooth, preoccupied representations of human assumes that were discovered for the most part in graves. The larger part of figures are of naked ladies and they all fit in with a particular type of tradition. The type of the figures was symmetrical, with arms collapsed under the bosom. Countenances are featureless with the exception of a purported nose.
”-Melissa Bury. The Ancient Greeks had a fixation on an “ideal” world. This was prevalent in their architecture, and in their art of the human body. However, the Greeks pursuit for perfection ends up being just a pursuit, as the goal never can be or will be
Athens, Greece was a center piece of Ancient Greek artwork, their painted vessels became popular throughout history. Exekias and the Aegisthus Painter used the space and techniques available to covey a story, creating a center piece for conversation. In 550BCE the workshop of Exekias in Athens produced a terracotta, black figured amphora with scenes on both sides. The main side feature a scene from the legend of Theseus and the Minotaur.
Creating an amazingly life-like appearance to its sculptures, not only demonstrated, in my mind, a higher intelligence, but is defiantly a tribute to their focus on superior strength and fitness. Although the realistic style was soon changed to create an even more ideal human figure, the understanding of the human body and how to recreate it through art was only the beginning of Greece’s contribution to the “classical ideal.” After their rise to power, gained by their triumph over Persia, the Greeks again changed the way we see art. This time they turned to their knowledge of geometry, focusing on the creation of grand architecture as their medium.
Uncontrolled emotionalism and shameful truth were now common characteristics to most of them. Still throughout the hellenistic, many sculptures were distinguished by their calmness, grace, and compassion for human suffering. The Ancient Greek sculptures were commonly made from stone or wood and very few of them are still existing to this day. Many were made to reflect the image of a freestanding human form even when the statue was of a god, and for this reason many of the sculptures were naked, the Greeks saw nudity as something beautiful. Other of the sculptures showed athletic figures, to essentially portray what the Greeks perceived as an ideal human and what it should look
UXT Task 2 Austin Olooaringo (ID# 000556089) Western Governors University Work: Alexandros of Antioch, Venus de Milo, c. 130−100 BC Period: classical Period A1. Initial Thoughts My initial thought was the display of feminine beauty and grace as seen from an artist perspective dating back in time. The goddess Aphrodite is a sculptural elegance that has continued to fascinate the art world and remains relevant from the time of its discovery on the island of Melos around 1820. Her posture and demeanor reflect confidence of her personality and womanhood.
During the ancient times many cultures and races viewed art as something important for their lifestyles and part of their culture. Portraiture was one of the often used forms of art that either represented someone who once lived or a god that they worshipped. These forms of art were really important for various reasons, whether it was for worship, remembrance of the person or god, remembrance of an important day, tomb markers, etc. Three examples of portraitures made during the ancient times are: ‘Victory Stele of Naram-sin’, ‘Hatshepsut with Offering Jars’, and ‘Khafre Enthroned’. Each of these three pieces of art played a big role on the lives of the owners because it depicted them in the way that they wanted to be depicted.
The Greek sculptures reach the new height of beauty, not only because the mastery of the technique, but also the fascination of human body. Greek art uses the outer appearance to reflect the inner power, it is the representative pattern of western art. The myth inspires the creation of sculpture. The fantasy of nature and society and the admire of god’s shape and personality makes the sculpture more multiple and abundant.
The bust of Commodus is one of the most famous masterpieces of Roman portraiture and depicts the emperor as the reincarnation of the hero Hercules. Commodus is seen wearing the lion 's skin over his head, holding the club in his right hand, and the golden apple of Hesperides in his left hand as a reminder of how he is seen to be as the Greek hero Hercules. Two Amazon women are kneeling on the base beside a globe with the sign of the zodiac. These zodiac signs show important moments in Commodus’s life. On top of the globe is a cornucopia with the Amazon’s shield, one long enough to almost cover his torso.