Classical sculpture
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Classical sculpture refers to the forms of sculpture from Ancient Greece and Ancient Rome and the Hellenized, and Romanized civilizations under their rule or influence from about 500B.C. to fall of Rome in AD 476. It also refers stylistically to modern sculptures done in a classical style. Classical sculptures have been popular since the Renaissance. Only those works that closely follow the canon of classical forms would fall under the term.
In addition to free standing statues, the term classical sculpture incorporates relief work(such as the famous Elgin marbles of the Parthenon) and the flatter bas-relief style. Whereas sculptural works emphasized the human form, reliefs were employed to create elaborate decorative scenes.
There are several periods:
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[edit] Archaic period
In the Archaic Period the most important sculptural form was the kouros (plural kouroi), the standing male nude (See for example Biton and Kleobis).
They orginally modeled their sculptural style after that of the Egyptians, and the influence can be clearly seen when comparing works from both cultures side by side; the difference being the Greek sculptures were nudes, while the Egyptians were clothed.
They had a lack of understanding muscle structure at the time, the most obvious of which can be seen in observing the knees of most sculptures they created during the Archaic period. As they moved into the Classical period, their knowledge of muscle and bone structure would improve significantly, gaining its height during the Hellenistic period when they finally were able to break away from their typical, standard formula.
[edit] Classical period
The first Greek statue to exhibit contrapposto is the famed Kritios Boy. Contrapposto soon became a defining element of Greek sculptural technique, culminating in the Canon of the Doryphoros ("spear-bearer"), which adopted extremely dynamic and sophisticated contrapposto in its cross-balance of rigid and loose limbs. The Classical period saw changes in both the style and function of sculpture. Poses became more naturalistic (see the Charioteer of Delphi for an example of the transition to more naturalistic sculpture), and the technical skill of Greek sculptors in depicting the human form in a variety of poses greatly increased. From about 500 BC statues began to depict real people. The statues of Harmodius and Aristogeiton set up in Athens to mark the overthrow of the tyranny were said to be the first public monuments to actual people.
The classical sculpture period of Greek art began in the 6th century BCE. These sculptures were very superficial; the figures were accurately sculpted, and very carefully put together to look more like real humans. Over time people noticed that the sculptures looked awkward in the way they were standing. Vase painters, Bronze casters, and marble sculptors began studying the humotion or the study of movements made by humans. In these study’s they discovered that weight shifts could effect placement of limbs therefore throwing off the sculptures balance. In 480 BCE the first sculptures to display contraposition was in the Kritios Boy, but whatever technical advancements made by the Kritios boys were lost when the Persians invaded Greece in 480-479 BCE.
Most of the sculptures made at this time were created to show appreciation to the gods for showing them good fortune, and also to help bring good fortune in the future, and to also gain favor from the gods. Greek temples were specially made to fit the large cult statues. They believed that placing shrines around the areas that were said to be holy would please the gods. Because Greek gods were mostly myths based on real peoples lives this created mixed feelings about the sculptures therefore more man-like sculptures were created. Most sculptures created can be understood to be a myth or a symbol or purpose in life, and also focused on a mans placement in life.
As time passed by Sculptors were not only creating sculptures for temples, but they were now creating tomb statues to show tribute to loved ones who have died. Most of the time, the sculptures would show the deceased person in a relaxed pose. Successful athletes and rich families would commission statues of themselves for temples to show respect to the gods. In the 5th century BC, portraits became popular and generals would have their heads carved into busts. For centuries the Greeks continued these practices, mastering the art of making busts. This perfectionism attracted Roman interest, and when the Greeks were invaded by the Roman Empire they continued these practices.
[edit] Hellenistic period
The transition from the Classical to the Hellenistic period occurred during the 4th century. Sculpture became more and more naturalistic. Common people, women, children, animals and domestic scenes became acceptable subjects for sculpture, which was commissioned by wealthy families for the adornment of their homes and gardens. Realistic portraits of men and women of all ages were produced, and sculptors no longer felt obliged to depict people as ideals of beauty or physical perfection. Most Greek men were sculpted standing with their hips slightly to the side. When human beings stand this way it uses more muscles. The Greeks wanted to show themselves as a next to God figure.
[edit] Roman period
Roman sculpture began with the copying of Greek sculpture, but then evolved into a form of sculpture which more emphasised the individual. There are many surviving sculptures of Roman emperors.
[edit] Later
Classical sculpture was forgotten for a thousand years and then revived again during the Italian Renaissance. One of the most important sculptors in the classical revival was Donatello. Many other sculptors such as Michelangelo also made works which can be considered classical. Modern Classicism contrasted in many ways with the classical sculpture of the 19th Century which was characterized by commitments to naturalism (Antoine-Louis Barye) -- the melodramatic (François Rude) sentimentality (Jean Baptiste Carpeaux) -- or a kind of stately grandiosity (Lord Leighton) Several different directions in the classical tradition were taken as the century turned, but the study of the live model and the post-Renaissance tradition was still fundamental to them.
