La escultura griega. Características generales. Escultura arcaica.

The Essence of Greek Sculpture

Key Characteristics of Greek Sculpture

• Greek sculpture exemplified anthropocentrism, focusing on the human form and anatomy as primary subjects, particularly the male body.

• It represented the human body as a symbol of physical beauty and spiritual balance, establishing foundational concepts in Western art regarding mimesis or imitation of reality.

• The evolution from archaic rigidity to naturalistic forms allowed for multi-perspective viewing and emotional expression, transitioning through classical serenity to Hellenistic dynamism.

Idealism and Rationalism in Greek Art

• A fundamental aspect was idealism; while inspired by nature, sculptures aimed to surpass it by showcasing ideal beauty and eliminating imperfections.

• Beauty was perceived as harmony and proportion, leading to anatomical studies that resulted in the concept of canon—rules governing ideal human proportions.

Evolutionary Journey of Technique

• Greek sculpture evolved towards technical perfection, moving from rigid forms to dynamic expressions seen in Hellenistic art while increasingly engaging with spatial representation.

• Various materials were utilized including marble and bronze; notable techniques included lost-wax casting for bronze sculptures.

Coloration and Typology

• Originally polychromatic, much of what we know comes from Roman copies due to the loss of original colors. Sculptures included both relief work and free-standing pieces.

Themes and Genres in Sculpture

• The primary theme was the human body with major genres being religious/mystical representations, athletic figures, and portraits. Hellenistic art introduced more everyday characters into its repertoire.

Historical Context: Archaic Period

• Early cult images known as Xoana were wooden figures adapted to cylindrical trunks. Characteristic styles emerged during the Archaic period (circa 700–480 BC).

Curói and Coray: Defining Features

• Curói are freestanding statues representing young males (often athletes), characterized by monumental size but rigid poses influenced by Eastern artistic traditions.

Artistic Techniques

• These sculptures displayed bilateral symmetry with non-individualized features; they often featured an archaic smile—a simplistic attempt at expression despite their overall rigidity.

Transition Towards Naturalism

• Over time, there was a shift towards greater realism in anatomy while faces remained largely expressionless. Coray depicted young women likely serving religious functions with offerings.

Características Plásticas de las Coray

Vestimenta y Estilo

• Las coray presentan características plásticas similares a las de los curolles, destacando su estilo distintivo.

• Su vestimenta incluye una larga túnica de lana o lino que se ajusta a la cintura y caderas, conocida como peplo.

• A menudo, sobre el peplo llevan un amplio manto llamado imatión, que cae drapeado sobre el cuerpo.

• En ocasiones, en lugar del peplo, utilizan un fino jitón como parte de su atuendo.