3.1 The Severe Style and its characteristics

The Severe Style marks a turning point in Greek sculpture, bridging the Archaic and Classical periods. It brought greater naturalism and emotional restraint to figures, moving away from stylized forms and exaggerated expressions of earlier works.

Artists introduced techniques like contrapposto and improved anatomical accuracy, creating more lifelike sculptures. This shift reflected changing social and political landscapes in Greece, setting the stage for the masterpieces of the Classical period.

Characteristics of the Severe Style

Artistic Qualities of the Severe Style

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• Severe Style represents a shift in Greek sculpture during the Early Classical period (480-450 BCE) marked by a move towards greater naturalism and emotional restraint compared to the earlier Archaic period
• Austerity in the Severe Style refers to a sober, serious quality in the facial expressions and poses of the figures, conveying a sense of dignity and solemnity (Kritios Boy)
• Emotional restraint is evident in the calm, composed expressions of the figures, which lack the exaggerated Archaic smile of earlier sculptures, instead portraying a more introspective, thoughtful demeanor (Charioteer of Delphi)
• Naturalism in the Severe Style involves a closer observation and representation of human anatomy, proportions, and posture, resulting in more lifelike and believable figures compared to the stylized forms of the Archaic period
• Idealization persists in the Severe Style, with figures still portraying idealized, youthful, and athletically fit bodies, but with a greater sense of individuality and realism in the facial features and expressions (Riace Warriors)

Artistic Techniques in the Severe Style

Advancements in Sculptural Techniques

• Contrapposto, or counterpose, is introduced in the Severe Style, where the figure stands with weight shifted onto one leg, creating a more naturalistic, asymmetrical stance and adding a sense of potential movement (Kritios Boy)
• Drapery in the Severe Style becomes more naturalistic, with garments falling in softer, more fluid folds that suggest the underlying anatomy and movement of the body (Charioteer of Delphi)
• Anatomical accuracy improves significantly in the Severe Style, with sculptors paying closer attention to the musculature, bone structure, and proportions of the human body, resulting in more convincing and lifelike figures (Riace Warriors)
• Sculptors in the Severe Style begin to experiment with the representation of different ages, body types, and emotional states, moving beyond the uniform, idealized figures of the Archaic period

Materials and Production Methods

• Bronze casting techniques advance during the Severe Style, allowing for more complex, detailed, and larger-scale sculptures (Riace Warriors)
• Marble continues to be used for sculptures in the Severe Style, with artists exploiting the translucency and luminosity of the material to create subtle effects of light and shadow on the surfaces of the figures (Kritios Boy)
• Chryselephantine sculpture, combining gold and ivory, is used for monumental cult statues of deities, showcasing the wealth and skill of the city-states that commissioned them (Athena Parthenos by Phidias, now lost)

Historical Context of the Severe Style

Transitional Period in Greek Art

• The Severe Style emerges as a transitional phase between the Archaic and Classical periods, reflecting the changing social, political, and cultural landscape of Greece in the early 5th century BCE
• The Persian Wars (499-449 BCE) and the Greek victory over the Persians had a profound impact on Greek art, fostering a sense of pride, confidence, and unity among the city-states
• The Severe Style coincides with the early stages of Athenian democracy and the rise of Athens as a cultural and political power, which influenced the development of a more humanistic and naturalistic approach to art

Evolving Artistic Conventions

• The Archaic smile, a stylized, upturned smile characteristic of Archaic sculptures, gradually disappears in the Severe Style, replaced by more subtle, naturalistic expressions that convey a range of emotions (Kritios Boy)
• The Severe Style marks a shift away from the rigid, formulaic poses of Archaic sculptures, towards more dynamic, asymmetrical compositions that suggest potential movement and interaction between figures (Tyrannicides by Kritios and Nesiotes, now lost)
• The Severe Style lays the foundation for the further development of naturalism, idealization, and emotional expression in the Classical period, paving the way for the masterpieces of High Classical art (Parthenon sculptures by Phidias)