The Archaic Period
650-490BC
Start of monumental sculpture
Early statues have pronounced Egyptian influence
Sculpture serves 1 of 3 functions:
1. Cult statue - representation of a god
2. Votive - offering to a god
3. Funerary - grave marker
Early statues carved from marble or limestone, as it was the cheapest and
easiest material to use.
Sculptures were sketched onto a block of marble then carved on each side
to form the body.
Sculptures were largely either a kouros (pl kouroi, meaning youth/male) or
a kore (pl korai, meaning maiden)
,Kouroi traits:
- The Kouros pose: left foot forward, hands straight down at
sides, weight is evenly distributed so hips are horizontal,
straight back, stares straight ahead. This creates a visual
impression that seems formal, stiff and unnatural.
- Sculptors used the Kouros pose to prevent the material from
cracking, as they have a low tensile strength and cannot
support their own weight, and to avoid complex
foreshortening.
- Nude: the male form is the ideal in Greek homoerotic
culture.
- Long hair: shows aristocracy
- Athletic and Muscular: to portray the ideal form of
masculinity
- Beardless and Hairless: shows youth
The Kouros was designed as a symbol of the ideal man
, The New York Kouros
Symbol of Ideal Man
- Kouros pose + traits
- Athletic - lean muscles
- Small genitals - the physical ideal 610-600BC
- Has a choker (necklace) - could be of religious Life-size/tall man
significance (1.95m)
Attempt at realism Marble
- Problematic proportions - long and thin waist and Funerary - grave marker
head Unknown sculptor
- Hair looks braided - unsuccessful attempt to capture Athenian
hair’s texture, typical of archaic period Originally would’ve
Symmetry and Pattern: been painted
- Horizontal symmetry across body
- Symmetrical headband
- Muscles represented with harsh shapes and lines
- Patterns in anatomy e.g reflected vs on knees and
groin/ribcage, vs on elbows, reflected curves for
pecs/collarbones, volute pattern on ear
650-490BC
Start of monumental sculpture
Early statues have pronounced Egyptian influence
Sculpture serves 1 of 3 functions:
1. Cult statue - representation of a god
2. Votive - offering to a god
3. Funerary - grave marker
Early statues carved from marble or limestone, as it was the cheapest and
easiest material to use.
Sculptures were sketched onto a block of marble then carved on each side
to form the body.
Sculptures were largely either a kouros (pl kouroi, meaning youth/male) or
a kore (pl korai, meaning maiden)
,Kouroi traits:
- The Kouros pose: left foot forward, hands straight down at
sides, weight is evenly distributed so hips are horizontal,
straight back, stares straight ahead. This creates a visual
impression that seems formal, stiff and unnatural.
- Sculptors used the Kouros pose to prevent the material from
cracking, as they have a low tensile strength and cannot
support their own weight, and to avoid complex
foreshortening.
- Nude: the male form is the ideal in Greek homoerotic
culture.
- Long hair: shows aristocracy
- Athletic and Muscular: to portray the ideal form of
masculinity
- Beardless and Hairless: shows youth
The Kouros was designed as a symbol of the ideal man
, The New York Kouros
Symbol of Ideal Man
- Kouros pose + traits
- Athletic - lean muscles
- Small genitals - the physical ideal 610-600BC
- Has a choker (necklace) - could be of religious Life-size/tall man
significance (1.95m)
Attempt at realism Marble
- Problematic proportions - long and thin waist and Funerary - grave marker
head Unknown sculptor
- Hair looks braided - unsuccessful attempt to capture Athenian
hair’s texture, typical of archaic period Originally would’ve
Symmetry and Pattern: been painted
- Horizontal symmetry across body
- Symmetrical headband
- Muscles represented with harsh shapes and lines
- Patterns in anatomy e.g reflected vs on knees and
groin/ribcage, vs on elbows, reflected curves for
pecs/collarbones, volute pattern on ear
