Polykleitos: Perfection And Dimensions Of The Human Body
Fiorella D’Amico
Yarianna Colon-Lopez
ARH2050
27 May 2023
Famous Greek High Classical sculptor Polykleitos pursued perfection in his work by adhering to a set of rules that directed his creative process. The idea of symmetria, a harmonious balance of proportions and dimensions in the human body, was essential to Polykleitos' pursuit of perfection. Polykleitos thought he could create an idealized picture of the human body by paying close attention to mathematical ratios and exact anatomical dimensions. The idea of the "canon," a set of fixed guidelines or requirements for artistic creativity, was one of the essential foundations that underpinned Polykleitos. The "Doryphoros" or "Spear Bearer," a mathematical formula he created, functioned as the physical manifestation of his aesthetic beliefs. The goal of this statue was to capture the ideal male form, with each component in perfect harmony and proportion. By upholding the canon, Polykleitos aimed to establish a common denominator for quality and beauty. As well as the idea of rhythm, or rhythmos, was included in Polykleitos' quest for perfection. He sought to create a sense of dynamic equilibrium and beautiful movement in his sculptures by carefully placing body parts and distributing weight. By putting a strong emphasis on rhythmos, Polykleitos was able to capture an instance of idealized physicality and give his sculptures a lifelike quality that went beyond simple static
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He attempted to develop an idealized portrayal of the human form by sticking to mathematical ratios and anatomical accuracy. In his sculptures, Polykleitos tried to capture a sense of dynamic equilibrium and lifelike movement to establish a universal standard of beauty and quality. He had a profound influence on future generations of painters with his methodical approach and unyielding pursuit of perfection in the art
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