AP Art History - Doryphoros (the spear bearer)

Doryphoros(The Spear bearer)

Anabella Suarez Paz AP Art History

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Artist: Polykleitos Artwork: Doryphoros (Spear-Bearer) Original Greek Bronze: c. 450–440 B.C.E. (Roman Copy made after) Hight: 6 feet 11 inches Time: Classical Period Origin: Greece

Also known as Polykleitos Canon Plykleitos wrote a book called "Canon" where he talked about beauty. This sculpture was made in bronze (originally) to go with the book. Today both the original sculpture and the book are lost. We only have the Roman Marble copy(s) today. The Marble copies do have some variation from the original but are very similar. Romans wanted ancient Greek art because Greek culture was a desirable way of life. (In its arts, luxury, style, and learning).

Why called "The Spear-Bearer"? Originally the sculpture was meant to hold a spear on his left shoulder. This would complement the balance and position of his stance. (Doryphoros is Latin)

Beauty

In Polykleitos's book, "Canon", he expresses his idea of human beauty. He said beauty was based on the proportions of the human body in mathematical harmonies. This was said to talk about how body parts relate to each other and their proportions. In addition, balance also played a big part in Polykleito's idea of beauty. It is the way balance works along with mathematical proportions to create the beauty of the human body. The attention to the human body (proportions, details, balance) gives an impression of motion. This is fitting for the early classical period. In this time art was starting to depict natural movement. Doryphoros is the representation of this philosophical idea of beauty. "ideal beauty" (not a portrait)

We can see where Doryphoros is bearing his weight and where is relaxed. - weight rested in the left spear arm - right arm relaxed - left leg relaxed - right leg with weight

The idea of beauty coming from math was inspired by Pythagoras who stated that the beauty in music came from the math of the notes written. He was a Greek philosopher in the 6th century B.C.E.

Contrapposto is seen in the way the body is shifting. We see it in the hips, legs, shoulders, and arms. Contrapposto contributes greatly to the beauty/complexity of the body. Contrapposto also comes as part of Greek art's classical (Hellenistic) period.