REPRESENTATION OF THE HUMAN BODY IN ANCIENT GREECE

Overview
Evolution from a symbolic view of the body to a more realistic one Seeking perfection: the Classic era When anatomy meets emotion: the Hellenistic era Pottery and medical knowledge

I-K xxx DCEM1 Toulouse Purpan medical school 24/04/09

Sculpture: timeline

Cycladic art: a symbolic view of the body

First attempt to represent the human body Geometric Related to religion

30th CYCLADIC ART

20th

18th

10th

Minoan Art

3rd GEOMETRIC ARCHAIC CLASSIC HELLENISTIC

B.C.

Symbolizes female fertility

Female figurine of the canonical type (Dokathismata variety)marbleEarly Cycladic II period - Syros phase2800-2300 BC

Kouroi: an idealistic view of the Human anatomy

Egyptian influence Common characteristics
Rigidity Bilateral symmetry Anatomy = geometrical figures One foot in front of the other Smile

Kouroi: emergence of a new way to represent the body

Anatomical features become more accurate Smile: cheeks + nose: depicted more precisely

Kouros represents humanity Generalization of the essential features of the human figure

Universal symbol of humanity

Marble, life size (1.84 m), c. 600-590 BCE (Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York) Bronze, 1.95 tall, c. 530-520 BCE (Piraeus Museum)

Kritos boy: a turning point

Knee in a relaxing state Muscles and bones life-like Rib cage expanded as if breathing Spine forms S No more smile
Marble, 0.86 m tall, c. 480 BCE (Acropolis Museum)

Evolution

IDEALISTIC Improved knowledge of anatomy

REALISTIC

Factors
Medicine
Humors Hippocrates: A wise man should consider that health is the greatest of human blessings Speculums, micro surgery performed (hemorrhoids)

Seeking perfection: the Classic era

Associates both anatomy and sports through art Movement but no emotions

Olympic Games
Gods Athletic bodies are admired

Body becomes independent entity Athletes considered as heroes Perfection = athletic body Art: aimed at expressing perfect balance and harmony
The Discus-thrower, Myron, 460-50

Increased interest in the human body

New inspiration: beauty, aesthetics

Anatomic details

Anatomic details

Bursting veins

Precise description of the intercostal muscles Emphasis on athletic body

Hermes from Atalante. Marble copy of the II century AC from an original possibly by Lysippos from the IV century BC. National Archaeological Museum in Athens.

A controversial sculpture
Intimate scene: Aphrodite about to have a bath Controversial:
- female nude - goddess

Transition
Artists have mastered the anatomical features Preoccupation with line and contrast in order to create an impression Exploring new techniques, exhibiting their skills
Nike adjusting her sandal from the Temple of Athena Nike Parapet. Charioteer of Delphi" 470 BC., 1.80 cm tall (5' 11")

Blends humanity and divinity Myth

So-called Aphrodite Braschi, free copy (1st century BC) after a votive statue of Praxitele in Cnidus (Aphrodite of Cnidus type, ca. 350340 BC).

When anatomy meets emotion: the Hellenistic era

Exploring new realities:
- children - scenes of common life

Pottery and anatomy

Homeric injury scenes on ancient greek pottery reveal medical knowledge S.Geroulanos A.Tasouli E.Lymperopoulou K.Papadopoulos

Ideal of beauty no longer required Emotions and anatomy are exaggerated: pathos Experimentation, freedom
Laocon and his sons, also known as the Laocon Group. Marble, copy after an Hellenistic original from ca. 200 BC.

Homeric poems influenced pottery Wrestling scenes depicted wounded people

Hypotheses:
Knowledge of external and internal anatomy Instructions to inflict lethal hits

Take home message

THEY HAD TO PUT ME IN THE ROOM WITH KATE MOSS OVER THERE

Bibliography
http://www.pbs.org/howartmadetheworld/episodes/human/greece/ www.buzzle.com/img/articleImages/1514-0.jpg http://www.ancientgreece.com/s/Sculpture/ http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/438648/Westernpainting/69483/Ancient-Greek http://ancient-greece.org/art.html http://www.mlahanas.de/Greeks/Pottery.htm http://www.buzzle.com/articles/ancient-greek-medicine.html http://www.teacheroz.com/greeks.html http://www.usask.ca/antiquities/Collection/Cycladic_Idol2.html

100200 ap. J.-C., British Museum

In Ancient Greece there was a strong interaction between medicine and art . The human body was the main inspiration of the artists, the way they chose to represent it evolved throughout the ages with the techniques but also with anatomical knowledge.