Research paper americano

Lucas Teles Novaes
Art History Survey I
Professor Berg-Gilbert
8 December, 2012

The Development of the Figure in Ancient Greek Sculpture

Introduction

Sculptures were one of the main forms of expression in Greek culture, despite the great artistic merits in the field of concept, form, and technique; sculpture was an amazing advantage being a vehicle of communication and also illustrating the values of the Greek society. They were related to several areas of life, such as religion, politics, science, decoration, sports, education etc. The development of the figure in Ancient Greek Sculpture from the Geometric/Archaic to the Hellenistic period reflects not only a visual artistic and expressional improvement, but a whole range of cultural and social development as well; which can be synthesized by comparing and contrasting pieces from different periods in Greek Sculpture. The title of the chosen sculpture is “Kouros” by Tenea, c. 570 b.c. it was composed of Marble and was approximately 60`` high”, and is now held at Staatliche Antikensammlungen, Munich (De la Croix and Tansey 116). The second sculpture is titled “Nike of Samothrace” c.190 made of Marble it is approximately 8` high and is now held at Louvre, Paris (De la Croix and Tansey 144).

Description & Analysis

The first chosen sculpture is “Kouros”; Kouros is the name given to representations of young man, which first appeared in the archaic period in Greece.
This piece is mainly a geometric-like figure of a young man standing in a half step dividing its weight in a symmetrical balanced composition. Special care is given to applying real human proportions to the sculpture, and a notion of reality and accuracy is pursued. Its standing position and straightforwardness give the piece a stiff feeling It`s details are carefully carved in marble in the knees, foot and face, in order to look as real as possible. The piece in general fits a well composed design, relating to a