Assignment Discussion
Does the Archaic figure borrow from ancient Egyptian sculpture? Why or why not? How does the Greek figure differ from the Egyptian style?
Does the Classical figure show an advance in naturalism? Why or why not? What did the artist do to make it more life-like? Describe details.
What was considered the ideal look for figures? Does idealism show in your examples? Why or why not?
Respond to two of your classmate’s discussion posts with additional comments on Greek sculpture changes as seen in your classmate’s examples. Also, take his/her discussion one step further by introducing work from the Hellenistic period. Note how Greek sculpture ideas evolved even further while describing your Hellenistic sample.
Classmate 1 (Edward)
This figure is known as the Metropolitan kouros, after the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. 590–580 B.C.E. (Attic, Archaic), Naxian marble, 194.6 x 51.6 cm https://klimtlover.wordpress.com/ancient-greece/archaic-period/Links to an external site.
Roman Copy of Myron’s Discobolus, original 460 BCE, currently exhibited at The British Museum, is constructed of marble and stands 1.7 meters tall. https://www.thecollector.com/ancient-greek-art-architecture/Links to an external site.
The sculptures I chose are male figures, one from the archaic period and one from the classical period. These two pieces show the evolution of naturalism in ancient Greek artwork. The archaic kouros sculpture is demonstrated without any expressed body movement or facial expression of any kind. The shape and definition of the body’s structure resemble a more Egyptian-style artwork. The eyes of this sculpture are less detailed. There is a basic structure to the facial shape. The shoulders are broad, and the body is slender and narrow. There is some tone to the muscle shape along the body to provide an idealistic form. Both sculptures examined are made of marble to give the best analysis of these periods. The Discobolus sculpture is sculpted in motion as the athlete spins to throw a discus. The hair design’s definition is distinct and noticeable compared to the later archaic artwork. Another area that is very noticeably enhanced is the eyes and facial structure. The classical sculpture also has a more defined tone in the skin. The muscles in the arms and torso are represented with scale and definition. Overall, the dramatic differences between the two periods. The naturalism and idealism of classical sculpture are very defined and prominent in their style.
Classmate 2 (Andrew)
The Archaic Period was from c. 600-480 BCE, it was named archaic to show the contrast between what was thought to be underdeveloped art of the time (Stockstad pg. 108). The piece I selected for this period is The Sacred Gate Dipylon Kouros (c. 560 BCE). The sculptor is unknown, it was made from Naxian marble and is currently housed at the Archaeological Museum in Athens, Greece Famous Greek Statues – An Exploration of Ancient Greek Sculpture (artincontext.org) Links to an external site.. This Archaic figure does borrow from Egyptian sculpture in the pose and proportions. They both stand rigidly upright, with the arms at the sides and the fists clenched. The Greek figure differs in that Egyptian male figures usually wore clothes as opposed to the Greek statues that are completely nude.
The second piece I selected is called Hermes of Praxiteles (c. 400 BC). The piece was sculpted by Praxiteles and is currently housed at the Archeological Museum of Olympia, it was sculpted from Parian marble Famous Greek Statues – An Exploration of Ancient Greek Sculpture (artincontext.org) Links to an external site.. This piece definitely shows an advancement in naturalism. It has a more sensual an sinuous body, with an off balanced posture. There is also contrasting texture with smooth flesh and rough locks of hair. This is a stark contrast from the rigid stance and hair of the Archaic statues. It is further humanized with one of the figures a loving adult and the other a playful child (Stockstad pg. 146).
