The Metropolitan Museum of Art: Metropolitan Kouros
Alex Skolnik
November 23, 2013
Art History
Outline
1)
Title of the piece: Metropolitan Kouros
Date: 600-590 BCE
Medium: Naxian Marble
Dimensions: Heigh 6'4 5/8"
Meseum location: The Metropolitan Meseum of Art
2)
This free standing sculpture shows signs of egyptian influence on Greek art. The pose has one foot standing forward while one is behind, the arms rest at the side with supports attatched to the tehighs, and the face shows no emotion and the eyes seem to have no pupils. The peice is very symmetrical with no real variation of body shape. The hair is shown in a knot like pattern with a narrow ribben holding it back. The mouth is shown in a form known as the Archaic smile. The difference between this and egyptian scultptures is that this scultpure is nude, where as the egyptian men were clothed.
3)
Contextual Analysis This piece was found in Attica, Greece and it depicts a young Greek child, being one of the earliest freestanding marble statues from Attica. These Kouroi were belived to have served as grave markers. The Greek sculptures that were influenced by the egyptians were made within the Archaic period of the greek society. , and while they look really un lifelike to us they represent a lifelike vitality and a concern with design to the greek society. It is believed that these sculptures were painted to have a skin like tone, with detailed hair, eyes, and lips. The creator of this peice is unknown as were most artists during the Archaic era. The anatomy on this piece was spot on, using forumulas from egyptian sculptures. The Kouroi was thought to depict the god apollo, but it was later found out that, that was not the case. The functions of these sculptures vary from region to region from being a grave marker, to a votive statue, or ever a cult statue. With no written records and the piece being ripped from the archealogical site there is no certain date, location or reason that we know. Kouroi means young boy and these
November 23, 2013
Art History
Outline
1)
Title of the piece: Metropolitan Kouros
Date: 600-590 BCE
Medium: Naxian Marble
Dimensions: Heigh 6'4 5/8"
Meseum location: The Metropolitan Meseum of Art
2)
This free standing sculpture shows signs of egyptian influence on Greek art. The pose has one foot standing forward while one is behind, the arms rest at the side with supports attatched to the tehighs, and the face shows no emotion and the eyes seem to have no pupils. The peice is very symmetrical with no real variation of body shape. The hair is shown in a knot like pattern with a narrow ribben holding it back. The mouth is shown in a form known as the Archaic smile. The difference between this and egyptian scultptures is that this scultpure is nude, where as the egyptian men were clothed.
3)
Contextual Analysis This piece was found in Attica, Greece and it depicts a young Greek child, being one of the earliest freestanding marble statues from Attica. These Kouroi were belived to have served as grave markers. The Greek sculptures that were influenced by the egyptians were made within the Archaic period of the greek society. , and while they look really un lifelike to us they represent a lifelike vitality and a concern with design to the greek society. It is believed that these sculptures were painted to have a skin like tone, with detailed hair, eyes, and lips. The creator of this peice is unknown as were most artists during the Archaic era. The anatomy on this piece was spot on, using forumulas from egyptian sculptures. The Kouroi was thought to depict the god apollo, but it was later found out that, that was not the case. The functions of these sculptures vary from region to region from being a grave marker, to a votive statue, or ever a cult statue. With no written records and the piece being ripped from the archealogical site there is no certain date, location or reason that we know. Kouroi means young boy and these