Sculpture:Elements, Principle,

and PeriodsForm 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