Abstract The Greeks honored the gods through sculptures. This paper examines the triumphs and advances of Classical Greek sculpture during the different periods in Greek history.
Outline
Introduction to Classical Greek Sculpture in Historical Perspective
Transition from Archaic Period to Early Classical (ca. 480 BCE) favoring Contrapposto over Koroi.
High Classical Period (450-430 BCE) Symbolized by Athenian Acropolis.
Late Classical Period (430-323 BCE), between Peloponnesian War and the Death of Alexander the Great,
Conclusion: Hellenism Marked by Influence of Alexander the Great's Travels.
From the Paper "Rigid kouroi and kourai softened into the marble marvels of the works of Phidias and Polycletius. The pursuit of perfection was itself honed like the artists? bronze and stone palettes as larger-than-life statues graced majestic monuments and temples. Increasingly realistic bodies, viewable from all possible angles, epitomize Classical Greek sculpture. The Archaic period preceding it demonstrated the Greek values of perfection and symmetry; these qualities were held under scrutiny during the following centuries. Close scrutiny of the human form in action and as a stationary body yielded tremendous improvements in the effectiveness and accessibility of sculpture during the Classical Age of Greece. "
Abstract This paper discusses a sculpture from the Hellenistic period of Greek art called the "Kritios Boy" (artist unknown), which was discovered in the late 1800s by archaeologists in the ruins of the Greek Acropolis in Athens. The paper examines how this statue represents Greek culture, especially the Hellenistic period, in a variety of ways and styles.
From the Paper "This sculpture clearly illustrates how Hellenistic culture was evolving and changing. The statue includes movement, which makes it a more natural and realistic rendition of people and life of the time. Rather than appearing stylized and even overly rigid, this figure seems as if it could easily come to life, and that represents a great change in style and purpose of Greek sculpture."
