Sculpture: Elements, Principle, and Periods

Sculpture:Elements, Principle, and Periods Form becomes essence, Essence becomes form

Sculpture Vocabulary • Articulation—the movement from one element to the next in sculpture, painting, and photography • Negative space—an open air space in the sculpture

3 types of sculpture • Full-round—fully three-dimensional sculpture; meant to be viewed from every angle • Relief—a somewhat three-dimensional sculpture attached and bound to a background • Linear—sculpture made with linear items such as wire or neon tubing

3 Methods: • Subtraction—technique of carving • Addition—technique of starting from a small amount of raw material and adding element to element until finished (a.k.a. “built sculpture”) • Manipulation—molding a material

Sculpture: Elements & Principals • Form—three dimensional shape; can be geometric or organic • - Other elements of design apply as well. • Line (Focal Point)—point of emphasis that the eye is directed to in sculpture • Proportion—relationship of forms and their sizes within the sculpture

Interpreting Form: • Open Form—sculpture that directs the eye through the piece and off into space • Closed Form—sculpture directs the eye to the form itself

Finding the E&P in Sculptures • David, Michelangelo • Pieta, Michelangelo • Man Pointing, Giacometti • Parthenon Pediment • Porch of the Maidens • Laocoon and His Two Sons • Pauline Borghese • Move on to periods…

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Greek Sculpture

ARCHAIC • Statues called kouros are stiff, posed fully frontal • Emphasis is on physicality and athleticism • Statues lack refinement

Attempts to show movement • Funerary and temple art • This Kouros is 6’4”

Korous • This statue is either from about 500 BC or a good forgery • It represents the ideal youth (stylized) • The statue is 6’9” tall

Kritios Boy • Sculpted about 480 BC • The first example we have of a body at rest (contrapposto) • Stands 34 inches high

CLASSICAL • Idealized, perfect men originally cast in bronze • Most of the examples we have today are reproductions done by later artists • Highly stylized

Porch of the Maidens: Colonnade

The Charioteer • Natural pose • Folds in his chiton (the dress he is wearing) are natural showing depth and movement) • Part of a celebratory statue

The Discus Thrower • Idealized form • Controlled movement • A Roman copy of the Greek original

The Riace Warrior on the left is a strong contrast to the earlier Kouros List how….

LATE CLASSICAL • greater emphasis on emotion • Detail and subtle characteristics • Natural and realistic

Hermes and the Infant Dionysus • Subtle modeling • Arm is carefully supported by robes hiding support • Roman copy of the original

HELLENISTIC • Differences in individuals are explored • Subjects reflect the spread of Greek influence beyond Greece • Reality of the subject is apparent to the viewer

Nike of Samothrace

The Dying Gaul: Pathos

The Veiled Dancer

Sculpture: Elements, Principle, and Periods