LA TARDA ETA' CLASSICA PRASSITELE

Rebecca Rozza

23 Mar 202014:59

Summary

TLDRThis script delves into the Late Classical period of Greek art, highlighting the shift from the idealized representations of the Early Classical era. It discusses the impact of societal and political changes, such as the decline of Athenian democracy and the Peloponnesian War, on artistic expression. Key artists of the period, including Praxiteles, Scopas, and Lysippus, are introduced, with a focus on Praxiteles' innovative approach to sculpting the human form. His works, characterized by sinuous lines and a sense of movement, reflect a more intimate and sentimental portrayal of subjects, diverging from the rigid symmetry of earlier periods. Notable examples include his 'Apollo and the Satyr' and the controversial 'Aphrodite of Cnidus,' which challenged traditional depictions of female divinities.

Takeaways

🗿 The Doriforo of Policleto represents realism and balance, emphasizing the body's weight shift without additional supports.
📜 The transition from the early to late classical period in Greek art coincides with major historical events like the Peloponnesian War, which weakened Greek city-states.
⚔️ The fall of Athens in 404 BC marked a shift in artistic focus from idealized representations to more humanized, emotional depictions of gods and heroes.
🎭 Late classical art explores subjectivity, focusing on intimate and sentimental portrayals, unlike the universal ideals of earlier periods.
👑 The dominance of Macedonian kings following the fall of Athens led to significant political and cultural changes that influenced artistic production.
💃 Artists like Praxiteles introduced fluid, sinuous forms in sculpture, emphasizing natural, everyday poses and human expressions in divine figures.
👩‍🎨 Praxiteles was known for his soft, curved lines and humanizing of gods like Apollo and Satyrs, moving away from rigid, idealized depictions.
⚖️ Praxiteles' works often feature exaggerated shifts in the body’s center of gravity, breaking away from the balanced poses seen in previous eras.
🛁 The Aphrodite of Knidos by Praxiteles was groundbreaking for being the first statue of a nude female deity, challenging previous norms of modesty.
🖌️ Praxiteles was known for painting his statues with a mixture of oil and wax to enhance the lifelike appearance of the skin, contributing to the realism of his works.

Q & A

What is the significance of the Doryphoros of Polykleitos in the context of the discussion?
-The Doryphoros of Polykleitos is significant as it represents the epitome of the classical ideal of balance and harmony in sculpture, showcasing the principles of movement, equilibrium, and the realistic depiction of the human form that were characteristic of the early classical period in Greek art.
How did the Peloponnesian War impact the art of ancient Greece?
-The Peloponnesian War, by weakening the cities of Greece and leading to internal conflicts, contributed to a shift in artistic focus. The equilibrium and unity that were once reflected in art began to dissolve, leading to a period where art started to explore more subjective and individualistic expressions.
What is the difference between the artistic styles of the early and late classical periods in ancient Greece as discussed in the script?
-In the early classical period, art was characterized by idealized, balanced, and harmonious representations, often with a public and social role, reflecting universal values. In contrast, the late classical period saw a move towards more subjective, humanized, and intimate portrayals of subjects, with a focus on individual expression and a departure from the rigid symmetry of earlier works.
Why did the fall of Athenian democracy influence the production of art in ancient Greece?
-The fall of Athenian democracy marked a significant cultural shift where art, which was previously a shared social good, began to explore more personal and subjective themes. This change led to a greater emphasis on individual expression and a move away from the collective ideals that were prevalent during the earlier periods.
Who are the three major artists of the late classical period mentioned in the script?
-The three major artists of the late classical period mentioned are Praxiteles, Scopas, and Lysippos. Each is known for their unique contributions to the evolution of Greek sculpture, particularly in the representation of the human form and the expression of emotion.
What is the distinctive feature of Praxiteles' sculptures as described in the script?
-Praxiteles' sculptures are characterized by their sinuous forms, with curved and soft lines that give a sense of movement and flexibility. They often depict deities in a more humanized and intimate manner, capturing moments of everyday life and natural, spontaneous actions.
Why was the Aphrodite of Knidos by Praxiteles considered revolutionary for its time?
-The Aphrodite of Knidos was revolutionary because it was one of the first sculptures to depict a female deity nude, which was a significant departure from the traditional representation of female figures in ancient Greek art. This sculpture also showcased a new level of naturalism and sensuality, contributing to its fame and controversy.
How did the sculptures of Praxiteles differ in terms of their support structure compared to earlier works?
-Praxiteles' sculptures often featured a more pronounced shift in the center of gravity, requiring the use of broader support structures or multiple supports to maintain balance. This was a departure from the more subtle shifts seen in earlier works, which aimed to create a sense of stability and equilibrium.
What was the significance of the statue's coloring technique used by Praxiteles as mentioned in the script?
-Praxiteles used a coloring technique involving a paste of oil and wax to give his statues a lifelike appearance, mimicking the texture and color of human skin. This technique was significant as it added to the realism and intimacy of the sculptures, making them appear more like living beings caught in a moment of everyday life.
How did the artistic styles of Scopas and Lysippos differ from those of Praxiteles as hinted in the script?
-While the script does not provide detailed descriptions of Scopas and Lysippos' styles, it suggests that, like Praxiteles, they also contributed to the late classical period's trend of exploring more subjective and individualistic expressions in art. Their works would have continued the shift towards more dynamic and emotionally expressive sculptures.

Outlines

00:00

🗿 Transition from Early to Late Classical Greek Art

The script discusses the evolution of Greek sculpture, particularly focusing on the transition from the Early Classical period, exemplified by the works of Phidias and Myron, to the Late Classical period. It highlights the shift from the idealized, balanced, and public art of the 5th century BC, represented by the Spear Bearer by Polykleitos, to a more subjective and intimate portrayal of subjects in the 4th century BC. This period is marked by significant social, cultural, political, and religious changes, including the decline of Athenian democracy and the Peloponnesian War, which led to a more humanized representation of heroes and deities in art. The summary emphasizes the move from the universal and ideal to the subjective and personal, with statues becoming more expressive and multi-directional, reflecting the loss of social unity and the exploration of individuality.

05:01

🎨 Praxiteles: The Artist of Grace and the Humanization of Deities

This paragraph delves into the work of Praxiteles, a prominent sculptor of the Late Classical period, known for his sinuous and fluid forms that depicted the human body with a new sense of naturalism and grace. Praxiteles' sculptures are characterized by their curved lines and the use of volume to create a sense of movement and softness. His figures, such as Apollo and a Satyr, are portrayed in natural, spontaneous poses that reflect everyday life and emotions, a departure from the solemn and idealized representations of the Early Classical period. The paragraph also discusses the technical aspects of his work, including the use of supports to achieve balance and the innovative positioning of the figures to convey a sense of an instant captured in time. Praxiteles' approach to art is summed up by his reputation as 'the artist of grace,' and his works are noted for their expressive and intimate portrayals of the divine.

10:01

🖌️ The Artistic Innovations and Controversies of Praxiteles

The final paragraph discusses the artistic innovations and the social impact of Praxiteles' most famous work, the Aphrodite of Knidos. This sculpture was groundbreaking for its time as it was the first to depict a female deity nude, challenging the traditional modesty and pudor associated with female figures in Greek art. The statue was initially controversial, with the citizens of Kos refusing it for its perceived indecency, but it was later purchased by the city of Knidos and became a symbol of their city, bringing them fortune. The description of the statue highlights its naturalism and the use of chiaroscuro to create a lifelike appearance, with the figure's pose and the drapery adding to the sense of movement and softness. Praxiteles' use of color and texture to mimic human skin further contributed to the lifelike quality of his sculptures, cementing his legacy as an artist who captured grace and the human experience in his work.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Doryphoros

The Doryphoros is a canonical work by the ancient Greek sculptor Polykleitos, representing the ideal male figure in the classical Greek style. In the video, the Doryphoros serves as a reference point for understanding the transition from the early classical period to the later classical period in Greek art, highlighting the evolution of artistic styles and the depiction of movement and balance.

💡Polykleitos

Polykleitos was a prominent Greek sculptor known for his work on the Doryphoros and his contributions to the canon of proportions in sculpture. His methods and ideals are contrasted with those of later artists like Praxiteles, Scopas, and Lysippos, illustrating the shift in artistic focus from idealized forms to more humanized and expressive depictions.

💡Late Classical Period

The Late Classical Period refers to the era in Greek art that followed the Early Classical Period, characterized by a move towards more expressive and less idealized representations of the human form. The video discusses how this period was influenced by significant social, cultural, political, and religious changes, leading to a more intimate and sentimental portrayal of subjects.

💡Praxiteles

Praxiteles was a renowned sculptor of the Late Classical Period known for his innovative approach to sculpture, characterized by sinuous forms and a focus on capturing the momentary and the subjective. His works, such as the Aphrodite of Cnidos, are highlighted in the video as examples of the new direction in Greek art, where the divine is depicted in a more human and intimate manner.

💡Skopas

Scopas was another significant sculptor of the Late Classical Period, mentioned in the video as one of the three great artists, alongside Praxiteles and Lysippos. His work is associated with emotional intensity and a departure from the balanced, idealized forms of earlier periods, reflecting the period's broader artistic trends.

💡Lysippos

Lysippos was a prominent sculptor whose work is noted for its innovation and the introduction of new techniques in the representation of the human body. His contributions are discussed in the video as part of the broader shift in Greek art towards more dynamic and multi-directional compositions.

💡Aphrodite of Cnidos

The Aphrodite of Cnidos is a famous work by Praxiteles and a key example of the new artistic direction in the Late Classical Period. It is the first known representation of a female deity in the nude, which was considered groundbreaking and controversial at the time. The video discusses how this sculpture captures a moment of intimacy and daily life, contrasting with the more formal and solemn depictions of earlier periods.

💡Peloponnesian War

The Peloponnesian War was a significant conflict between Athens and Sparta, supported by Corinth, which had a profound impact on Greek society and culture. The video mentions how this war, along with the Persian Wars, led to a weakening of the Greek city-states and contributed to the social and political changes that influenced the artistic production of the Late Classical Period.

💡Subjectivity

Subjectivity in art refers to the expression of personal feelings, emotions, and individual perspectives. The video discusses how the Late Classical Period saw a shift towards more subjective representations in art, with artists exploring the inner lives and personal experiences of their subjects, moving away from the universal ideals of the Early Classical Period.

💡Multidirectional Composition

Multidirectional composition in sculpture refers to the arrangement of figures in space in a way that they can be viewed from multiple angles without a single dominant viewpoint. This concept is exemplified in the video through the works of Praxiteles and others, where the sculptures are designed to engage the viewer from all sides, reflecting a more dynamic and interactive approach to art.

💡Realism

Realism in art is the attempt to depict subjects as they appear in real life, with attention to detail and a focus on naturalistic representation. The video discusses how the Late Classical Period saw a move towards greater realism, with artists aiming to capture not only the physical appearance but also the emotional and psychological aspects of their subjects, creating a more lifelike and relatable art.

Highlights

Discussion of the Doryphoros of Polykleitos, a hypothesized reconstruction of the original bronze statue.

Emphasis on the balance and movement in ancient bronze sculptures, showcasing the realism and almost epidermal reality of the originals.

Transition from the Early Classical period to the Late Classical period in Greek art, marked by significant historical events like the Persian Wars and the Peloponnesian War.

The impact of the decline of Greek city-states and the fall of Athenian democracy on artistic production.

The shift in artistic focus from universal ideals to more subjective and intimate representations of subjects.

Introduction of new artistic expressions that capture the interiority and more human aspects of deities and heroes.

The role of Praxiteles, Skopas, and Lysippos as the most important artists of the Late Classical period.

Praxiteles' innovative sculptural style characterized by sinuous, curvy lines and a focus on volume and volumetry.

The use of unstable poses and shifted centers of gravity in Praxiteles' works to capture a moment of everyday life.

Praxiteles' use of paint to give his statues a lifelike appearance, aiming to represent the texture of human skin.

The story behind the creation of the Aphrodite of Knidos, including its controversial reception and eventual fame.

Innovation in the representation of the female divine nude in the Aphrodite of Knidos, a significant departure from previous artistic conventions.

The artistic technique of Praxiteles in creating a sense of movement and softness in the statue's drapery and flesh.

The influence of social and political changes on the artistic depiction of deities, making them more human and less distant.

The exploration of new aspects in sculpture, such as expressivity in facial expressions and gestures.

The development of a multidirectional approach to sculpture, allowing for observation from all angles without a primary viewpoint.

The artistic legacy of Praxiteles as the artist of grace, influencing the perception of beauty in female forms.

The anticipation of the works of Skopas and Lysippos, who further contributed to the evolution of Late Classical art.