Keuros In Greek Art

Summarize the features that distinguish the kouros and the kore, citing the development in clothing worn by korai.

During the Olympics Greek athletes performed nude; with male athletes representing strength and conditioning. With the domination of the Greeks during the Olympics the male body became a well celebrated sculpture called Kouros, meaning “young man”. Kouros could be found in cemeteries and sanctuaries as offerings to the Gods, or as grave markers. The way Kouros were sculptured many can suggest that they served as watchful guardians for the dead. Kouros vastly resemble Egyptian sculptures, familiar traits can be seen between late Egyptian sculptures and Kouros dating between 600 BCE and 525 BCE. During the six century, Kouros became closer to naturalism. No one particular knows why but, may speculate that a cause of this was due to the competiveness between sculptors. Each sculptor wanted to out due the next, which led to Kouros looking more realistic.

Which appeared to have symbolized offerings to the goddess Athena, the city’s protector. Male citizens dedicated korai to her as piety, and just overall pleasure in the beauty of the sculpture itself. During the mid-sixth century and on the production of Korai’s excelled. Korai’s were sculptured in clothing unlike Kouros, who were nude. For example, in the Peplos Kore sculpture the sculptures wore a garment known as a Peplos. A Peplos is a rich outer robe or shawl that was worn by women, which was typically of wool. It was essentially a rectangle of cloth folded down at the neck, then pinned at the shoulders, and