Ancient Greek sculpture, its features, stages of development. Ancient Greek sculptures and their authors

2024 Author: Leah Sherlock | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 05:25

Ancient Greek sculpture occupies a special place among the variety of masterpieces of cultural heritage belonging to this country. It glorifies and embodies with the help of visual means the beauty of the human body, its ideal. However, not only the smoothness of lines and grace are the characteristic features that mark ancient Greek sculpture. The skill of its creators was so great that they managed to convey a range of emotions even in a cold stone, to give a deep, special meaning to the figures, as if breathing life into them. Each ancient Greek sculpture is endowed with a mystery that still attracts. The creations of the great masters do not leave anyone indifferent.

Ancient Greece, like other cultures, experienced different periods in its development. Each of them was marked by changes in all types of fine arts, including sculpture. Therefore, it is possible to trace the main stages in the formation of this type of art by briefly characterizing the features of ancient Greek sculpture invarious periods of the historical development of this country.

Archaic period

Archaic period - the time from the 8th to the 6th century BC. Ancient Greek sculpture at this time had a certain primitiveness as a characteristic feature. It was observed because the images embodied in the works did not differ in variety, they were too generalized (the figures of girls were called kors, young men - kuros).

Apollo of Tenea

The statue of Apollo of Tenea is the most famous of all the figures of this era that have come down to our time. In total, several dozen of them are now known. It is made of marble. Apollo is depicted as a young man with his hands down, his fingers clenched into fists. His eyes are wide open, and his face reflects an archaic smile, typical of sculptures from this period.

Female figures

The images of women and girls were distinguished by wavy hair, long clothes, but they were most attracted by the elegance and smoothness of lines, the embodiment of grace, femininity.

Archaic ancient Greek sculptures had some disproportion, schematic. Each work, on the other hand, is attractive with restrained emotionality and simplicity. For this era, in the depiction of human figures, as we have already noted, a half-smile is characteristic, which gives them depth and mystery.

Located today in the Berlin State Museum, the Goddess with a Pomegranate is one of the best-preserved figures among other archaic sculptures. With "wrong" proportions andThe external roughness of the image of the hand, brilliantly executed by the author, attracts the attention of the audience. The expressive gesture makes the sculpture especially expressive and dynamic.

Kouros from Piraeus

Located in the Athens Museum "Kouros of Piraeus" - a later, therefore, a more perfect creation, made by an ancient sculptor. Before us appears a young powerful warrior. Hand gestures and a slight tilt of the head indicate the conversation he is having. The broken proportions are no longer so striking. Archaic ancient Greek sculptures, as we have already mentioned, have generalized facial features. However, this figure is not as noticeable as in creations belonging to the early archaic period.

Classic period

The Classic period is the time from the 5th to the 4th century BC. The works of ancient Greek sculpture at this time underwent some changes, which we will now tell you about. Among the sculptors of this period, one of the most famous figures is Pythagoras Regius.

Features of the sculptures of Pythagoras

His creations are characterized by realism and liveliness, which were innovative at the time. Some works of this author are considered even too bold for this era (for example, a statue of a boy taking out a splinter). The quickness of mind and extraordinary talent allowed this sculptor to study the meaning of harmony using mathematical methods of calculation. He conducted them on the basis of the philosophical and mathematical school, which he founded. Pythagoras, using these methods, studied harmony of various nature:musical, architectural structure, human body. There was a Pythagorean school based on the principle of number. It was it that was considered the basis of the world.

Other sculptors of the classical period

The classical period, in addition to the name of Pythagoras, gave world culture such famous masters as Phidias, Poliklet and Miron. The works of ancient Greek sculpture by these authors are united by the following general principle - the reflection of the harmony of the ideal body and the beautiful soul contained in it. It is this principle that is the main one that guided various masters of that time when creating their creations. Ancient Greek sculpture - the ideal of harmony and beauty.

Miron

Great influence on the art of 5th century BC Athens e. rendered the work of Myron (suffice it to recall the famous Discobolus, made of bronze). This master, unlike Polykleitos, whom we will talk about later, liked to depict figures in motion. For example, in the above statue of the Discobolus, dating back to the 5th century BC. e., he portrayed a handsome young man at the moment when he swung in order to throw a disc. His body is tense and curved, caught in motion, like a spring ready to unfold. Trained muscles bulged under the supple skin of his back arm. Forming a firm footing, the toes dug deep into the sand. Such is the ancient Greek sculpture (Discobolus). The statue was cast in bronze. However, only a marble copy made by the Romans from the original has come down to us. The image below shows the statue of the Minotaur by this sculptor.

Policlet

The ancient Greek sculpture of Polykleitos has the following characteristic feature - the figure of a man standing with his hand raised up on one leg, balance is inherent. An example of its masterful embodiment is the statue of Doryphoros the Spearman. Polikleitos in his works sought to combine ideal physical data with spirituality and beauty. This desire inspired him to publish his treatise called "Canon", which, unfortunately, has not survived to our time.

The statues of Polykleitos are full of intense life. He liked to portray athletes at rest. For example, "Spearman" is a powerful man who is full of self-esteem. He stands motionless in front of the viewer. However, this peace is not static, characteristic of ancient Egyptian statues. Like a man who easily and skillfully controls his own body, the spearman slightly bent his leg, moving it to another weight of the hull. It seems that a little time will pass, and he will turn his head and step forward. Before us appears a handsome, strong man, free from fear, restrained, proud - the embodiment of the ideals of the Greeks.

Phidias

Phidias can rightly be considered a great creator, creator of sculpture, dating back to the 5th century BC. e. It was he who was able to master the skill of bronze casting to perfection. Phidias cast 13 sculptural figures, which became worthy decorations of the Delphic Temple of Apollo. Among the works of this master is also the statue of Athena the Virgin in the Parthenon, the height of which is12 meters. It is made of ivory and pure gold. This technique of making statues was called chryso-elephantine.

The sculptures of this master especially reflect the fact that in Greece the gods are images of an ideal person. Of the works of Phidias, the best preserved is the 160-meter marble ribbon of the frieze relief, which depicts the procession of the goddess Athena, heading to the Parthenon temple.

Statue of Athena

The sculpture of this temple was badly damaged. Even in ancient times, "Athena Parthenos" perished. This figure stood inside the temple. Created by Phidias. The ancient Greek sculpture of Athena had the following features: her head with a rounded chin and a smooth, low forehead, as well as her arms and neck were made of ivory, and her helmet, shield, clothes and hair were made of sheets of gold.

There are many stories associated with this figure. This masterpiece was so famous and great that Phidias immediately had a lot of envious people who tried in every possible way to annoy the sculptor, for which they were looking for reasons to accuse him of something. This master, for example, was accused of allegedly concealing part of the gold intended for the sculpture of Athena. Phidias, as proof of his innocence, removed all the golden objects from the statue and weighed them. This weight coincided exactly with the amount of gold provided to him. Then the sculptor was accused of godlessness. Athena's shield was the reason for this. It depicted a battle scene with the Amazons of the Greeks. Phidias among the Greeks portrayed himself, as well as Pericles. PublicGreece, despite all the merits of this master, nevertheless opposed him. The life of this sculptor ended with a cruel execution.

The achievements of Phidias were not limited to the sculptures made in the Parthenon. So, he created the figure of Athena Promachos from bronze, which was erected around 460 BC. e. in the Acropolis.

Statue of Zeus

Phidias became truly famous after this master created the statue of Zeus for the temple located in Olympia. The height of the figure was 13 meters. Many originals, unfortunately, have not been preserved, only their descriptions and copies have survived to this day. In many ways, this was facilitated by the fanatical destruction of works of art by Christians. The statue of Zeus did not survive either. It can be described as follows: a 13-meter figure sat on a golden throne. The head of the god was decorated with a wreath of olive branches, which was a symbol of his peacefulness. Chest, arms, shoulders, face were made of ivory. Zeus' cloak is thrown over his left shoulder. The beard and crown are of sparkling gold. Such is this ancient Greek sculpture, briefly described. It seems that God, if he stands up and straightens his shoulders, will not fit in this vast hall - the ceiling will be low for him.

Hellenistic period

The stages of the development of ancient Greek sculpture are completed by the Hellenistic one. This period is the time in the history of ancient Greece from the 4th to the 1st century BC. Sculpture at that time was still the main purpose of decorating various architectural structures. But it also reflectedchanges in government.

In sculpture, which at that time was one of the main types of art, in addition, many directions and schools arose. They existed on Rhodes, in Pergamon, Alexandria. The best works presented by these schools reflect the problems that worried the minds of the people of this era at that time. These images, in contrast to classical calm purposefulness, carry passionate pathos, emotional tension, dynamics.

The strong influence of the East on all art as a whole is characterized by late Greek antiquity. New features of ancient Greek sculpture appear: numerous details, exquisite draperies, complex angles. The temperament and emotionality of the East penetrate the grandeur and tranquility of the classics.

Located in the Roman Museum, the Baths of Aphrodite of Cyrene are full of sensuality, some coquetry.

Laocoon and his sons

The most famous sculptural composition related to this era is "Laocoön and his sons" by Agesander of Rhodes. This masterpiece is now kept in the Vatican Museum. The composition is full of drama, and the plot suggests emotionality. The hero and his sons, desperately resisting the snakes sent by Athena, seem to understand their terrible fate. This sculpture is made with extraordinary precision. Realistic and plastic figures. The faces of the characters make a strong impression.

Three great sculptors

In the works of sculptors dating back to the 4th century BCn. e., the humanistic ideal is preserved, but the unity of the civil collective disappears. Ancient Greek sculptures and their authors are losing a sense of the fullness of life and the integrity of the worldview. Great masters who lived in the 4th century BC. e., create art that reveals new facets of the spiritual world. These searches were most clearly expressed by three authors - Lysippus, Praxiteles and Skopas.

Scopas

Scopas became the most prominent figure among the other sculptors who worked at that time. Deep doubts, struggle, anxiety, impulse and passion breathe in his art. This native of the island of Paros worked in many cities in Hellas. The skill of this author was embodied in a statue called "Nike of Samothrace". This name was received in memory of the victory in 306 BC. e. Rhodes fleet. This figure is mounted on a pedestal, reminiscent of a ship's prow.

The "Dancing Maenad" by Scopas is presented in a dynamic, complex perspective.

Praxitel

The sculptures of Praxiteles had a different creative beginning. This author sang the sensual beauty of the body and the joy of life. Praxiteles enjoyed great fame, was rich. This sculptor is best known for the statue of Aphrodite he made for the island of Cnidus. She was the first depiction of a naked goddess in Greek art. The beauty Phryne, the famous hetaera, beloved of Praxiteles, served as a model for the statue of Aphrodite. This girl was accused of blasphemy and then acquitted by admiring her beautyjudges. Praxiteles is the singer of female beauty, which was honored by the Greeks. Unfortunately, Aphrodite of Cnidus is known to us only from copies.

Leohar

Leohar - an Athenian master, the largest of Praxiteles' contemporaries. This sculptor, working in various Hellenic policies, created mythological scenes and images of the gods. He made several portrait statues in chryso-elephantine technique depicting members of the family of Philip, the Macedonian king. After that, he became the court master of Alexander the Great, his son. At this time, Leochar created a statue of Apollo, very popular in antiquity. It was preserved in a marble copy made by the Romans, and under the name of Apollo Belvedere, it gained world fame. Leohar demonstrates virtuoso technique in all his creations.

After the reign of Alexander the Great, the Hellenistic era became a period of rapid flowering of portrait art. Statues of various orators, poets, philosophers, generals, statesmen were erected on the squares of cities. The masters wanted to achieve an external similarity and at the same time emphasize the features in the appearance that turn a portrait into a typical image.

Other sculptors and their creations

Classical sculptures became examples of various creations of masters who worked in the Hellenistic era. Gigantomania is clearly visible in the works of that time, that is, the desire to embody the desired image in a huge statue. Especially often it manifests itself when the ancient Greek sculptures of the gods are created. The statue of the god Helios is a prime example of this. It is made of gilded bronze, towered at the entrance of the Rhodes harbor. The height of the sculpture is 32 meters. Chares, a student of Lysippus, worked on it for 12 years, tirelessly. This work of art has taken its rightful place in the list of wonders of the world.

Many statues after the capture of Ancient Greece by the Roman conquerors were taken out of this country. Not only sculptures, but also masterpieces of painting, collections of imperial libraries and other cultural objects suffered this fate. Many people who worked in the field of education and science were captured. Thus, various elements of the Greek were woven into the culture of Ancient Rome, having a significant impact on its development.

Conclusion

Of course, the different periods of development that Ancient Greece experienced made their own adjustments to the process of sculpture formation, but one thing united the masters belonging to different eras - the desire to comprehend spatiality in the art, love for expression using various plastic techniques human body. The ancient Greek sculpture, the photo of which is presented above, unfortunately, has only partially survived to this day. Often marble served as a material for figures, despite its fragility. Only in this way could the beauty and elegance of the human body be conveyed. Bronze, although a more reliable and noble material, was used much less frequently.

Ancient Greek sculpture and painting are peculiar and interesting. Variousexamples of art give an idea of the spiritual life of this country.