The Greeks transitioned from the Archaic to Classical periods in sculpture. In the Archaic period, sculptures had rigid poses and symmetrical, stylized proportions. In the Classical period, Greeks began creating more naturalistic and dynamic sculptures using techniques like contrapposto pose and accurate anatomical proportions, reflecting emerging ideals of idealized natural human beauty and physical perfection.

1. Greek Classical Sculpture

2. Pitcher (oinochoe) with Greek warrior attacking Persian archer, Greek Classical, c. 450 BCE
Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
What event prompted the emergence of the Classical period?

3. Greeks kicked butt!

4. Pitcher (oinochoe) with Greek warrior attacking Persian archer, Greek Classical, c. 450 BCE
Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
We won because
we are physically
and morally
superior!

5. Which of these figures is standing in the contraposto pose?

6. Kritios Boy, c. 480 BCE
Marble, 2’ 10”
Acropolis Museum
What is the contraposto pose?

7. MORE RELAXED AND NATURAL
“The Kouros come to life”
Weight-
bearing leg
Hips tilt
Slight twist
to the
upper
body

9. Polykleitos, Doryphoros, Roman copy
450-440 BCE 6’ 11”
Museo Archeologico Nazionale, Naples
Who does this statue represent?

10. Michael Jordan
Image source: http://www.espn.com/chicago/photos/gallery/_/id/8932812/image/1/best-best-michael-jordan-50-greatest-moments
Athletes: admired in Greek culture

11. Is it a “portrait”?

13. Most humans are not “perfect” in reality
Image source: http://creativity-online.com/work/dressmann-underwear-for-perfect-men/43310

14. IDEALISM
“nature perfected”

15. What was Polykleitos’ “canon of proportions”?

16. COMPARE/CONTRAST

17. SIMILARITIES

18. Marble statues
Ideal male youth

19. DIFFERENCES

20. THESIS:
Kouros is more abstract;
unnaturalistic
THESIS:
Doryphoros is more
naturalistic/lifelike

21. SUPPORTING EVIDENCE:
Pose
Proportions
Anatomy
Function
SUPPORTING EVIDENCE:
Pose
Proportions
Anatomy
Function

22. SUPPORTING EVIDENCE:
Pose is unnaturalistically rigid and
stiff
Symmetrical
Frozen
SUPPORTING EVIDENCE:
Contraposto pose: pose is more
relaxed and natural; looks like he is
about to take a step
Not symmetrical
More dynamic

23. SUPPORTING EVIDENCE:
Proportions are unrealistic: hips
too small; head and eyes too big
SUPPORTING EVIDENCE:
Proportions more accurate and
lifelike

24. SUPPORTING EVIDENCE:
Anatomy is is unrealistic; torso is a
triangle; incised lines used to
indicate muscles
SUPPORTING EVIDENCE:
Anatomy is much more realistic;
swelling muscles, bulging veins

25. SUPPORTING EVIDENCE:
Stylized details like the hair is
unrealistic; boxy feet
SUPPORTING EVIDENCE:
Hair looks soft and real, rather than
stylized; detail of fingers and toes
super realistic

26. Warrior from the Sea off Riace, 460-450 BCE, 6’ 6” high; Museio
Archeologico Nazionales, Reggio, Calabria Bronze statue of Zeus from Artemesion c. 460 BCE
National Archaeological Museum, Athens
Why did Greeks prefer bronze?

28. SUMMARY: How does Greek art evolve over time?
Greek Archaic Greek Archaic Greek Classical Greek Classical

29. SUMMARY: What are the two major technical break throughs?
Greek Archaic Greek Archaic Greek Classical Greek Classical

30. SUMMARY: How does Greek sculpture reflect Humanism?
Greek Archaic Greek Archaic Greek Classical Greek Classical

31. HUMANISM: focus on humans rather than the gods; belief in human potential
Greek Archaic Greek Archaic Greek Classical Greek Classical

32. ART: no differentiation between humans and gods; celebrates human beauty, strength, and
achievement
Greek Archaic Greek Archaic Greek Classical Greek Classical

33. Challenge
Which is Archaic, and which is
Classical?
How can you tell?

34. Greek Archaic

35. Greek Archaic
Archaic smile
Rigid frontal pose
Symmetrical
Unnatural anatomy +
proportions
Stylized details
Marble

36. Greek Classical

37. Greek Classical
Serene expression
(“mask of calm reserve”)
No longer symmetrical
More natural pose --
contraposto
More naturalistic
anatomy + proportions
Bronze

38. Greek Classical
Serene expression
(“mask of calm reserve”)
No longer symmetrical
More natural pose --
contraposto
More naturalistic
anatomy + proportions
Bronze

39. Apples & Oranges

40. Apples & Oranges

41. Apples & Oranges

42. Apples & Oranges

43. Apples & Oranges