🏛️Arts of Classical Greece Unit 8 – High Classical Sculpture (450-400 BCE)

Key Characteristics and Innovations

• High Classical sculpture marked a shift towards naturalism and idealism in depicting the human form
• Artists aimed to capture the essence of the subject rather than a literal representation
• Sculptures exhibited a sense of balance, harmony, and proportion (contrapposto)
• Drapery became more fluid and naturalistic, accentuating the underlying form
  • Wet drapery technique allowed for the depiction of semi-transparent clothing
• Facial expressions conveyed a sense of serenity and emotional restraint
• Sculptures were often created as freestanding figures, allowing for viewing from multiple angles
• The use of bronze casting became more prevalent during this period
  • Allowed for greater detail and more dynamic poses compared to marble

Major Artists and Their Works

• Polykleitos, known for his treatise on proportion and the creation of the Doryphoros (Spear Bearer)
  • Established the canon of ideal male proportions
• Phidias, the chief sculptor of the Parthenon and creator of the colossal chryselephantine statues of Athena Parthenos and Zeus at Olympia
• Myron, famous for his bronze sculpture of the Discobolus (Discus Thrower)
  • Captured a moment of intense action and athletic prowess
• Praxiteles, known for his graceful and sensual sculptures, such as the Aphrodite of Knidos
• Scopas, who introduced a new level of emotion and passion in his sculptures (Maenad)
• Lysippos, the court sculptor of Alexander the Great, known for his more slender and elongated figures (Apoxyomenos)

Historical and Cultural Context

• The High Classical period coincided with the Golden Age of Athens under the leadership of Pericles
• The Parthenon and other monuments on the Acropolis were constructed during this time
  • Reflected the wealth, power, and cultural achievements of Athens
• Sculpture played a significant role in public spaces, temples, and as votive offerings
• The idealized human form in sculpture was a reflection of the Greek belief in the importance of balance and harmony
  • Also connected to the concept of kalokagathia (beautiful and good)
• Sculptures often depicted gods, heroes, and athletes, serving as exemplars of virtue and excellence
• The High Classical period was marked by a sense of confidence and optimism in Greek culture

Technical Advancements in Sculpture

• The development of the lost-wax casting technique allowed for the creation of hollow bronze sculptures
  • Enabled artists to create larger and more complex works
• Improvements in the use of contrapposto allowed for more naturalistic weight distribution and posture
• Artists experimented with different materials, such as gold and ivory (chryselephantine), to create monumental sculptures
• Advancements in carving techniques allowed for more precise and detailed renderings of facial features, hair, and drapery
• The use of inlaid eyes, often made of glass or precious stones, added a lifelike quality to sculptures
• Artists began to create sculptures with more open and dynamic poses, suggesting movement and action

Themes and Subject Matter

• Mythological figures and deities were common subjects, often depicted in idealized human form (Apollo, Athena, Aphrodite)
• Athletes and warriors were popular subjects, celebrating physical prowess and heroism (Discobolus, Doryphoros)
• Portraits of notable individuals, such as philosophers and statesmen, began to emerge
  • Aimed to capture the essence of the subject's character and achievements
• Sculptural reliefs on temple pediments and friezes depicted mythological scenes and battles (Parthenon)
• The human form, both male and female, was the primary focus of High Classical sculpture
  • Nude male figures (kouroi) represented the ideal of male beauty and virtue
  • Female figures were often depicted clothed, with an emphasis on grace and modesty

Influence on Later Art Movements

• The ideals and principles of High Classical sculpture had a lasting impact on Western art
• The canon of proportions established by Polykleitos influenced artists in the Renaissance and beyond (Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo)
• Neoclassical artists in the 18th and 19th centuries looked to High Classical sculpture as a model of beauty and perfection (Antonio Canova, Bertel Thorvaldsen)
• The emphasis on naturalism and idealism in High Classical sculpture paved the way for the development of realism in later art movements
• The legacy of High Classical sculpture can be seen in the works of modern and contemporary artists who continue to engage with the human form and classical themes (Auguste Rodin, Yayoi Kusama)

Notable Examples and Where to Find Them

• The Parthenon sculptures (Elgin Marbles), housed primarily in the British Museum, London
  • Include the famous Parthenon frieze depicting the Panathenaic procession
• The Riace Warriors, two bronze statues discovered off the coast of Italy, now in the Museo Nazionale della Magna Grecia, Reggio Calabria
• The Charioteer of Delphi, a bronze statue found at the sanctuary of Apollo in Delphi, now in the Delphi Archaeological Museum
• The Doryphoros (Spear Bearer) by Polykleitos, known through Roman marble copies, one of which is in the Naples National Archaeological Museum
• The Discobolus (Discus Thrower) by Myron, known through Roman marble copies, one of which is in the Palazzo Massimo alle Terme, Rome
• The Aphrodite of Knidos by Praxiteles, known through Roman marble copies, one of which is in the Vatican Museums

Legacy and Contemporary Relevance

• High Classical sculpture set the standard for the idealized representation of the human form in Western art
• The principles of balance, harmony, and proportion in High Classical sculpture continue to influence artists and architects today
• The study of High Classical sculpture remains an essential part of art history education and artistic training
• Contemporary artists often engage with and reinterpret classical themes and forms in their work (Jeff Koons, Damien Hirst)
• The ideals of beauty and perfection embodied in High Classical sculpture have been both celebrated and challenged in modern discussions of body image and representation
• High Classical sculpture has played a role in shaping cultural identity and national pride, as seen in the controversies surrounding the ownership and display of works like the Elgin Marbles
• The enduring popularity and cultural significance of High Classical sculpture are evident in its frequent reproduction and adaptation in popular media, such as films, video games, and advertising