Classical Greek Sculpture Essay

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Research the characteristics of:
GREEK SCULPTURES

Harmony: pleasing arrangement, consistent, orderly
Idealised: made to look perfect, generally youthful
Naturalistic: realistic, lifelike, natural
Stylised: great simplification, done to a set of rules or stereotypes

Archaic Period (approximately 700 – 450BC):

The early work was stylised. Figures at first were stiff and frontal, influenced from the stances of Egyptian statues that had one foot forward and hands clenched by their sides. The stone block from which they were carved from was still obvious. Males (Apollo-type figures called ‘kouros’) were shown nude but females (maidens called ‘kore’) were dressed in long, draped garments.
Anatomy was beginning to be shown. Hair and beards were in tight, balanced patterns of curls. Faces generally had a gentle smile. They gradually developed their aim of creating an ideal type of human figure in keeping with the Greek appreciation of human pride.

- Kouros from Tenea, Artist Unknown

Classical Period (approximately 480 – 350BC):
Physical beauty and a sense of harmony were achieved. Anatomy was now understood and the figures were in more natural poses with the weight on one leg. Figures were idealised as perfect youths rather than as individuals. A set of ideal proportions was established for the human figure. Faces were generally without expression, creating a sense of calm and timelessness. Figures of athletes appeared to move in space. The torso as well as the arms and legs moved in a curve. It was now not easy to imagine the shape of the block of stone from which they had been carved.

- The Discus Thrower, Artist Unknown
Hellenistic Period (approximately 350 – 50BC):

The ideals of the Classical period of harmony and perfection gave way to a more naturalistic approach. The sculptures became more emotional and expressed movement. They showed an intense realism and a highly developed technical skill. Their work thus reflected their mastery of carving techniques and their increased knowledge of the physical world. Love, hatred, suffering and death were some of the new subjects.

- Venus de Milo, Alexandros of Antioch

Renaissance: the main characteristics of the Renaissance Art are:
1)Realism and Expression
2)Perspective
3)Classicism
4)Emphasis on Individualism
5)Geometrical Arrangement of Figures
6)Light & Shadowing/Softening Edges
7)Artists as Personalities/Celebrities

Baroque:
The baroque art period was the time of the Scientific Revolution and Age of Absolutism. So a lot of art that has scientific subjects or portraits of Louis XIV, Queen Elizabeth, etc. will most likely be Baroque art.

A big characteristic of Barqoue art is chiaroscuro and tenebrism - or dramatic lights and darks, so if a picture looks like there is a spotlight (like many of Rembrandt's) it is most likely Baroque.
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