2.1 Transition from Archaic to Classical style

The transition from Archaic to Classical style marked a pivotal shift in Greek art. Sculptures became more naturalistic, with relaxed poses and individualized features. This period, known as the Severe Style, laid the foundation for the Classical aesthetic.

Classical sculpture embraced anatomical accuracy and emotional expression. Artists like Polykleitos developed canons of proportion, while others explored narrative through dynamic poses and interactions. Bronze casting techniques advanced, allowing for more complex and lifelike statues.

Early Classical Style

Severe Style Characteristics

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• Emerged during the transition period from Archaic to Classical style (480-450 BCE)
• Sculptures display a more naturalistic appearance compared to the earlier Archaic style
• Figures stand in a more relaxed pose, with weight shifted onto one leg (contrapposto)
• Facial features are more individualized and expressive, moving away from the Archaic smile
• Drapery is rendered with greater realism, following the contours of the body

Notable Examples of Early Classical Sculpture

• Kritios Boy (c. 480 BCE)
  • Bronze statue of a nude youth
  • One of the earliest examples of contrapposto in Greek sculpture
  • Displays a more naturalistic rendering of the human body compared to Archaic kouroi
• Delphi Charioteer (c. 478-474 BCE)
  • Bronze statue of a chariot driver
  • Depicts a moment of stillness and concentration before a race
  • Drapery is rendered with greater realism, clinging to the body and revealing underlying musculature

Naturalism in Classical Sculpture

Contrapposto and Relaxed Poses

• Contrapposto: a pose where the weight is shifted onto one leg, creating a more natural and dynamic stance
• Relaxed naturalism becomes a hallmark of Classical sculpture
• Figures appear more at ease, with a sense of potential movement
• Examples: Doryphoros (Spear-Bearer) by Polykleitos (c. 440 BCE), Aphrodite of Knidos by Praxiteles (c. 350 BCE)

Anatomical Accuracy and Proportion

• Classical sculptors strive for a high degree of anatomical accuracy
• Emphasis on idealized proportions and harmonious balance
• Polykleitos develops a canon of proportions based on mathematical ratios
• Musculature is rendered with greater detail and realism
• Examples: Discobolus (Discus Thrower) by Myron (c. 450 BCE), Hermes and the Infant Dionysus by Praxiteles (c. 330 BCE)

Emotional Expression and Narrative

• Classical sculptures convey a wider range of emotions through facial expressions and body language
• Figures engage with one another, creating a sense of narrative and interaction
• Pathos (emotional intensity) becomes an important element in later Classical works
• Examples: Laocoon and His Sons (c. 40-30 BCE), Nike of Samothrace (c. 200-190 BCE)

Classical Bronze Statuary

Riace Bronzes: Masterpieces of Classical Bronzework

• Two life-size bronze statues of nude warriors, discovered off the coast of Riace, Italy in 1972
• Dated to the mid-5th century BCE, they exemplify the high level of skill in Classical bronze casting
• Both figures display contrapposto, with weight shifted onto one leg
• Highly detailed rendering of musculature and facial features
• Inlaid eyes and other details (copper lips, silver teeth) enhance the realism of the figures

Advancements in Bronze Casting Techniques

• Lost-wax casting allows for the creation of hollow bronze statues
• Separate casting of body parts enables more complex poses and greater detail
• Patination (chemical treatment of the bronze surface) is used to create different color effects
• Examples: Artemision Bronze (c. 460 BCE), Bronze Boxer at Rest (c. 100-50 BCE)