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

Ancient Greek sculpture occupies a special place among the variety of masterpieces of cultural heritage belonging to this country. In it, the beauty of the human body, its ideal is sung and embodied with the help of pictorial means. However, not only the smoothness of lines and elegance are the characteristics that mark the ancient Greek sculpture. So great was the skill of its creators, that they were able to convey even in a cold stone a range of emotions, to give a deep, special meaning to figures, as if breathing life into them. Each ancient Greek sculpture is endowed with mystery, attracting so far. The creations of the great masters leave no one 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, to trace the main stages in the development of this art form, perhaps briefly describing the features of ancient Greek sculpture in various 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 as a characteristic feature some primitiveness. It was observed because the images embodied in the works did not differ in variety, they were too generalized (the figures of the girls were called cows, the young men were kuros).

Apollo of the Shadow

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

Female figures

Images of women and girls featured wavy hair, long clothes, but they were attracted most of all by the elegance and smoothness of the lines, the embodiment of grace and femininity.

Archaic ancient Greek sculptures possessed some disproportionality, schematism. Each work, on the other hand, is attractive with restrained emotionality and simplicity. For a given era, in the depiction of people's figures, as we have already noted, a half-smile is characteristic, which gives them depth and mystery.

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

"Kuros from Piraeus"

Located in the Athens Museum "Kuros from Piraeus" - later, therefore, a more perfect creation, made by an ancient sculptor. A young and powerful warrior appears before us. Gestures of the hands and a slight inclination of the head speak about the conversation that he leads. Disregarded proportions are not so evident. Archaic ancient Greek sculptures, as we have already mentioned, have generalized facial features. However, this figure is not as noticeable as the creations belonging to the early archaic period.

Classical period

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

Pythagorean sculpture features

His creations are characterized by realism and liveliness, which at that time were innovative. 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 liveliness of the 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, explored the different nature of harmony: musical, architectural structure, human body. There was a Pythagorean school on the principle of number. It was considered the foundation of the world.

Other sculptors of the classical period

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

Myron

Great influence on the art of Athens of the 5th century BC. E. Rendered the work of Myron (it is enough to recall the famous Disco, made of bronze). This master, unlike Policlet, whom we will talk about, liked to depict figures in motion. For example, in the above-mentioned statue of Discobolus, dating back to the 5th century BC. E., he portrayed a handsome young man at the time when he swung to throw the disc. His body is taut and curved, captured by movement, like a spring, ready to turn around. The muscles flexed under the elastic skin of the arm, which was retracted. Forming a reliable support, the toes sank deep into the sand. This is an ancient Greek sculpture (Discobol). The statue was cast from bronze. However, only a marble copy made by the Romans from the original reached us. The image below is a statue of the Minotaur of this sculptor's work.

Policklet

Ancient Greek sculpture Polikleta has the following characteristic feature - the figure of a man standing with his hand raised on one leg, the balance is inherent. An example of a masterful embodiment of her is the statue of Dorifor the Spearman. Poliklet in his works sought to combine the ideal physical data with spirituality and beauty. This desire inspired him to publish his treatise entitled "Canon", unfortunately, did not survive until our time.

Full of the hard life of the statue of Policlet. He liked to portray athletes at rest. For example, "Spearman" - a man of powerful build, which is full of self-esteem. He stands motionless in front of the spectator. However, this peace is not static, typical of ancient Egyptian statues. As easily and skillfully owning his own body, the spearman slightly bent his leg, shifting the weight of the hull to another. 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, reserved, proud - the embodiment of the ideals of the Greeks.

Phidias

You can rightfully consider Phidias as the great creator, the creator of the sculpture, dating back to the 5th century BC. E. It was he who was able to master the craftsmanship of bronze casting. Fidium was cast 13 sculptural figures, which became worthy decorations of the Delphic Temple of Apollo. Refers to the number of works of this master is also the statue of Athena Virgo in the Parthenon, whose height is 12 meters. It is made of ivory and pure gold. This technique of performing the statues was called chryso-elephantine.

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

Statue of Athena

The sculpture of this temple suffered greatly. Even in ancient times, "Athena Parthenos" was lost . This figure stood inside the temple. Phidias created it. Ancient Greek sculpture of Athena had the following features: its head with a rounded chin and a smooth low forehead, as well as arms and neck were made of ivory, and a helmet, shield, clothing and hair - from gold sheets.

There are many stories connected with this figure. So famous and great was this masterpiece that immediately Phidias had a lot of envious people who tried in every way to annoy the sculptor, for which they sought the reasons to accuse him of anything. This master, for example, was accused of allegedly concealing part of the gold intended for the sculpture of Athena. Phidias, in proof of his innocence, took all the gold objects from the statue and weighed them. This weight exactly coincided with the amount of gold given to him. Then the sculptor was accused of godlessness. The shield of Athena was the cause of this. It depicted a battle scene with the Amazons of the Greeks. Phidias portrayed himself among the Greeks, as well as Pericles. The public of Greece, despite all the merits of this master, still opposed it. A brutal execution ended the life of this sculptor.

Not limited to the achievements of Phidias sculptures performed in the Parthenon. Thus, he created the figure of Athena Promachos of bronze, which was erected around 460 BC. E. In the Acropolis.

Statue of Zeus

To Fidia came true fame after the creation of this master statue of Zeus for the temple, located in Olympia. The height of the figure was 13 meters. Many originals, unfortunately, have not survived, only descriptions and copies have survived to this day. In many respects, this was facilitated by the fanatical destruction of works of art by Christians. And the statue of Zeus did not survive. It can be described as follows: a 13-meter figure was seated on a golden throne. The head of the god was decorated with a wreath from the branches of the olive tree, which was a symbol of his peace. Chest, arms, shoulders, face were made of ivory. The cloak of Zeus is thrown across his left shoulder. The beard and the crown are made of sparkling gold. This is an ancient Greek sculpture, briefly described. It seems that God, if he gets up and spread his shoulders, will not fit in this vast room - the ceiling will be low for him.

The period of Hellenism

Stages of development of ancient Greek sculpture is completed by Hellenistic. This period is the time in the history of Ancient Greece from the 4th to the 1st century BC. Sculpture at this time was still the main purpose of decorating various architectural structures. But it also reflected the changes taking place in the government of the state.

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

The late Greek antiquity is characterized by the strong influence of the East on all art in general. There are new features of ancient Greek sculpture: numerous details, exquisite draperies, complex foreshortenings. In the grandeur and tranquility of the classics penetrates the temperament and emotionality of the East.

Located in the Roman museum of the Term "Aphrodite of Cyrene" is full of sensuality, some coquetry.

"Laocoon and His Sons"

The most famous sculptural composition, belonging to this era, is "Laocoon and its sons", performed by Agesandr of Rhodes. This masterpiece is now kept in the Vatican Museum. The composition is full of drama, and the plot assumes emotionality. The hero and his sons, desperately resisting the serpents sent to Athena, seem to understand their terrible fate. With extraordinary precision, this sculpture was made. Realistic and plastic figures. The faces of the heroes make a strong impression.

Three great sculptors

In the works of sculptors belonging to the 4th century BC. E., The humanistic ideal is preserved, but at the same time the unity of the civil collective disappears. The feeling of completeness of life and the integrity of the world perception are lost by the ancient Greek sculptures and their authors. Great masters, who lived in the 4th century BC. E., Create art that reveals new facets of the spiritual world. Most vividly, these searches were expressed by three authors - Lysippos, Praxitel and Skopas.

Skopas

Scopas became the most prominent figure among the rest of the sculptors who worked at that time. In his art, deep doubts, struggle, anxiety, impulse and passion breathe. This native of the island of Paros has worked in many cities in the territory of Hellas. The mastery of this author was embodied in a statue called "Nika Samothrace". This name was received in memory of the victory in 306 BC. E. The Rhodes fleet. This figure is mounted on a pedestal, reminiscent of the design of the ship's nose.

The "dancing Maenad" of Scopas is presented in a dynamic, complex foreshortening.

Praxiteles

Other sculptors of Praxitel had a different creative origin. This author sang this sensual beauty of the body and the joy of life. Praxitel enjoyed great fame, was rich. The most famous was the statue of Aphrodite, made by him for the island of Knidos, to this sculptor. She was the first in the Greek art depiction of a naked goddess. Beauty Frina, the famous hetaera, the beloved Praxitel, served as a model for the statue of Aphrodite. This girl was accused of blasphemy, and then justified by admiring her beauty judges. Praxitel is a singer of female beauty, which the Greeks honored. Unfortunately, only on copies Aphrodite of Knidskaya is known to us.

Leohar

Leohar - Athenian master, the largest of the contemporaries Praxitel. This sculptor, working in various Hellenic polities, created mythological scenes and images of the gods. He performed 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, Leohar created a statue of Apollo, very popular in ancient times. It was preserved in a marble copy, made by the Romans, and was known worldwide under the name of Apollo Belvedere. Leohar in all his creations demonstrates virtuosic technique.

After the reign of Alexander the Great, the Hellenistic period became a period of rapid flowering of portraiture. They erected statues of various orators, poets, philosophers, commanders, statesmen in the squares of cities. The masters wanted to achieve external similarity and at the same time emphasize the features that make a portrait a typical image.

Other sculptors and their creations

Classical sculptures became models of various works of masters who worked in the Hellenistic era. Clearly seen in the works of that time gigantomania, that is, the desire to embody the desired image in a huge statue. Especially often it manifests itself when ancient Greek sculptures of gods are created. The statue of the god Helios is a striking example. It is made of gilded bronze, towering at the entrance of Rhodes Harbor. The height of the sculpture is 32 meters. Over her worked for 12 years, tirelessly, Hares, a disciple of Lysippos. This work of art took on the rightfully honorable place in the list of wonders of the world.

Many of the statues after the capture of the Roman conquerors of ancient Greece were exported outside 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 education and science were captured. In the culture of ancient Rome, thus, they entwined, having significantly influenced its development, various elements of the Greek.

Conclusion

Of course, the different periods of development experienced by Ancient Greece, their adjustments made to the formation of sculpture, but one united the masters belonging to different epochs - the desire to comprehend in the art of spatiality, the love of expression through various techniques of plastics of the human body. Ancient Greek sculpture, the photo of which is presented above, unfortunately, has only partially reached our days. Often, marble served as a material for figures, despite its fragility. Only so it was possible to convey the beauty and grace of the human body. Bronze, although a more reliable and noble material, was used much less frequently.

Ancient Greek sculpture and painting are original and interesting. Various samples of art give an idea of the spiritual life of this country.