Using specific examples such as these compare the way the human body is depicted in Archaic Greek vs. Early Classical art.
Ancient Greek Art
Using specific examples such as these compare the way the human body is depicted in Archaic Greek vs. Early Classical art.
Archaic Greek
New York Kouros (c.480 BCE) shows an idealized body of a young man, and this time depicts a realistic modeling body form. The arms, legs, abdomen, and chest seem to exist function and work together. The New York Kouros have a facial feature that is expressionless and blank with a stance (“The Archaic Period | Boundless Art History,” 2017). The musculature appears reliant on incised lines with the body slightly molded. Another notable feature of the New York Kouros has a hair stylized that falls stiffly in a single sheet.
Early Classical art.
The Kristios Boy (c.480 BCE) is smaller than life statue that was dedicated to an athlete by Athena. The prime example of the early classical sculptural style is the marble statue with torso depicting an understanding of the skin, muscles, and body that allows the statue to come to life. Contrapposto stance depicts a person with weight shifted onto one leg, making a shift in the shoulders, chest, and hips, for a naturalistic and dramatic stance than a stiff, frontal pose (“The Early Classical Period | Boundless Art History,” 2020). However, Kristios Boy face is expressionless, which contradicts body naturalism. This is referred to as a severe style.
References
The Archaic Period | Boundless Art History. (2017). Retrieved 10 May 2020, from
https://courses.lumenlearning.com/boundless-arthistory/chapter/the-archaic-period/
The Early Classical Period | Boundless Art History. (2020). Retrieved 10 May 2020, from
https://courses.lumenlearning.com/boundless-arthistory/chapter/the-early-classical-period/