Understanding terminology that describes Ancient Grecian and Roman sculpture - AP Art History
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The work of art shown here was sculpted in .
The work of art shown here was sculpted in .
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Etruscan funerary monuments, such as this Sarcophagus of the Spouses, often featured couples and even whole families that represented the subjects in the afterlife. In order to last eternally and powerfully represent those whose remains were stored inside, these sarcophagi would be created from the earthenware material known as terra cotta. Terra cotta was not only immensely strong, but could also be easily painted to represent the subject of the work of art.
Image accessed through Wikipedia Media Commons: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Louvre-Lens\_-\_Les\_Étrusques\_et\_la\_Méditerranée\_-\_191\_-\_Paris,\_musée\_du\_Louvre,\_DAGER,\_Cp\_5194\_(Sarcophage\_des\_Époux)\_(A).JPG
Etruscan funerary monuments, such as this Sarcophagus of the Spouses, often featured couples and even whole families that represented the subjects in the afterlife. In order to last eternally and powerfully represent those whose remains were stored inside, these sarcophagi would be created from the earthenware material known as terra cotta. Terra cotta was not only immensely strong, but could also be easily painted to represent the subject of the work of art.
Image accessed through Wikipedia Media Commons: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Louvre-Lens\_-\_Les\_Étrusques\_et\_la\_Méditerranée\_-\_191\_-\_Paris,\_musée\_du\_Louvre,\_DAGER,\_Cp\_5194\_(Sarcophage\_des\_Époux)\_(A).JPG
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Roman sculpture distinguished itself from Greek sculpture by .
Roman sculpture distinguished itself from Greek sculpture by .
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Most Roman sculpture, and art of all kinds, was heavily based on Greek examples, and oftentimes it can be hard to distinguish between a Roman original and a Roman copy of a Greek sculpture. However, one major distinguishing feature of Roman sculpture is in its portraiture. Roman portraits depicted their subjects in a "warts and all" manner that showed every imperfection, as it was seen to exhibit worldliness and wisdom.
Most Roman sculpture, and art of all kinds, was heavily based on Greek examples, and oftentimes it can be hard to distinguish between a Roman original and a Roman copy of a Greek sculpture. However, one major distinguishing feature of Roman sculpture is in its portraiture. Roman portraits depicted their subjects in a "warts and all" manner that showed every imperfection, as it was seen to exhibit worldliness and wisdom.
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A is a horizontal band used to divide and order pictorial space, especially in relief sculpture.
A is a horizontal band used to divide and order pictorial space, especially in relief sculpture.
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A register divides the picture plane horizontally, often providing the ground line for figural decoration if it is present. Registers are used especially in relief sculpture to provide spatial order within the composition. A frame would refer to the elements that actually surround and close off the picture plane.
A register divides the picture plane horizontally, often providing the ground line for figural decoration if it is present. Registers are used especially in relief sculpture to provide spatial order within the composition. A frame would refer to the elements that actually surround and close off the picture plane.
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A is a common type of Roman sculpture which depicts a male citizen wearing a toga.
A is a common type of Roman sculpture which depicts a male citizen wearing a toga.
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"Togatus" is the general term for a statue of a male Roman wearing a toga. A "paludamentum" is a general's cloak sometimes worn by subjects in Roman sculptures. "Kouros" refers to a type of male sculpture produced in the Greek Archaic period. "Equestrian" statues depict their subjects mounted on a horse.
"Togatus" is the general term for a statue of a male Roman wearing a toga. A "paludamentum" is a general's cloak sometimes worn by subjects in Roman sculptures. "Kouros" refers to a type of male sculpture produced in the Greek Archaic period. "Equestrian" statues depict their subjects mounted on a horse.
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Encaustic refers to a process of painting with .
Encaustic refers to a process of painting with .
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"Encaustic" painting uses hot wax and pigment. It was commonly used for both panel paintings and painting stone sculpture.
"Encaustic" painting uses hot wax and pigment. It was commonly used for both panel paintings and painting stone sculpture.
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In a clipeus portrait, the subject projects forward from a .
In a clipeus portrait, the subject projects forward from a .
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The term "clipeus" means round shield in Latin. This type of portrait was sometimes used to depict rulers or notable figures in Hellenistic and Roman art.
The term "clipeus" means round shield in Latin. This type of portrait was sometimes used to depict rulers or notable figures in Hellenistic and Roman art.
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Which of the following characteristics best describe the Hellenistic period of Ancient Greek sculpture?
Which of the following characteristics best describe the Hellenistic period of Ancient Greek sculpture?
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Hellenistic Greek sculptures are often describes as naturalistic, emotional and dynamic. These pieces were a reflection of the diversity of cultures the Ancient Greeks and their culture interacted with after following the conquests of Alexander the Great. No longer did Ancient Greek sculpture represent ideal beauty and perfection the way it had during the Classical period. The Archaic period of Greek Sculpture was known for its stiff, expressionless subjects. Lastly, Hellenistic sculptures were also known for their increasingly large size.
Hellenistic Greek sculptures are often describes as naturalistic, emotional and dynamic. These pieces were a reflection of the diversity of cultures the Ancient Greeks and their culture interacted with after following the conquests of Alexander the Great. No longer did Ancient Greek sculpture represent ideal beauty and perfection the way it had during the Classical period. The Archaic period of Greek Sculpture was known for its stiff, expressionless subjects. Lastly, Hellenistic sculptures were also known for their increasingly large size.
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Archaic Greek sculpture is known to have predominately consisted of three types of figures. These types of figures are known as the seated woman, the standing draped girl, and .
Archaic Greek sculpture is known to have predominately consisted of three types of figures. These types of figures are known as the seated woman, the standing draped girl, and .
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The three types of figures are known as the seated woman, the standing draped girl, and the standing naked youth. The standing naked youth is often portrayed standing with one foot forward with a frontal stance.
The three types of figures are known as the seated woman, the standing draped girl, and the standing naked youth. The standing naked youth is often portrayed standing with one foot forward with a frontal stance.
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This dominant style of ancient Roman sculpture developed from the ancient Roman concept of the importance of family and ancestors. Busts created in this style were often displayed in the atria of the houses of powerful Roman families. These busts often captured the physical flaws of their subjects, as it was considered a sign of good character to recognize and display them with pride.
To which style of ancient Roman sculpture is the above excerpt referring?
This dominant style of ancient Roman sculpture developed from the ancient Roman concept of the importance of family and ancestors. Busts created in this style were often displayed in the atria of the houses of powerful Roman families. These busts often captured the physical flaws of their subjects, as it was considered a sign of good character to recognize and display them with pride.
To which style of ancient Roman sculpture is the above excerpt referring?
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Portraiture was a dominant, important part of Ancient Roman culture. It involved creating a bust (shoulders-up, or simply the head and neck) of the subject, who was more often than not the patriarch of the family.
Portraiture was a dominant, important part of Ancient Roman culture. It involved creating a bust (shoulders-up, or simply the head and neck) of the subject, who was more often than not the patriarch of the family.
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Ancient Roman sarcophagi were often decorated with what type of ancient Roman funerary art?
Ancient Roman sarcophagi were often decorated with what type of ancient Roman funerary art?
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Although Portraiture and divine statues were indeed part of Ancient Roman art, they were not used to decorate sarcophagi, due to their size. While many statues and busts were painted, elaborate paintings were not a big part of ancient Roman art. Intricate reliefs were very commonly seen on sarcophagi. They often depicted day-to-day life as a Roman.
Although Portraiture and divine statues were indeed part of Ancient Roman art, they were not used to decorate sarcophagi, due to their size. While many statues and busts were painted, elaborate paintings were not a big part of ancient Roman art. Intricate reliefs were very commonly seen on sarcophagi. They often depicted day-to-day life as a Roman.
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In sculpture, the term describes a human figure who stands with its weight on one leg, creating a distinctive S-curve shift in the hips and shoulders.
In sculpture, the term describes a human figure who stands with its weight on one leg, creating a distinctive S-curve shift in the hips and shoulders.
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"Contrapposto," Italian for "counterpose," refers to the shift in weight in the figure's pose.
"Contrapposto," Italian for "counterpose," refers to the shift in weight in the figure's pose.
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A statue takes the form of a pillar with a head on top.
A statue takes the form of a pillar with a head on top.
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The name "Herm" comes from this type of sculpture's original subject, the god Hermes. These sculptures were first made to protect places like crossroads and doorways, but by the Hellenistic and Roman periods, their subject matter expanded to include a wide range of portraits, including famous people and the god Dionysos.
The name "Herm" comes from this type of sculpture's original subject, the god Hermes. These sculptures were first made to protect places like crossroads and doorways, but by the Hellenistic and Roman periods, their subject matter expanded to include a wide range of portraits, including famous people and the god Dionysos.
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The nude male figures produced during the Archaic period of Greek art are known as .
The nude male figures produced during the Archaic period of Greek art are known as .
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Male sculptures produced during the Archaic period are known as kouroi (sing. kouros). Female figures in this style are known as korai (sing. kore). Archaistic or Archaizing statues are objects produced after the end of the Archaic period (c. 480 BCE) in an Archaic style. Anthemia (sing. anthemion) refers to the decoration carved on the top of a stela, usually in the form of a palmette.
Male sculptures produced during the Archaic period are known as kouroi (sing. kouros). Female figures in this style are known as korai (sing. kore). Archaistic or Archaizing statues are objects produced after the end of the Archaic period (c. 480 BCE) in an Archaic style. Anthemia (sing. anthemion) refers to the decoration carved on the top of a stela, usually in the form of a palmette.
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The term refers to sculptures carved in the Archaic style after the end of the Archaic period, c. 480 BCE.
The term refers to sculptures carved in the Archaic style after the end of the Archaic period, c. 480 BCE.
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Sculptures that intentionally emulate the older Archaic style are known as Archaistic.
Sculptures that intentionally emulate the older Archaic style are known as Archaistic.
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portraits attempt to show the subject as realistically as possible, even capturing features like wrinkles or baldness.
portraits attempt to show the subject as realistically as possible, even capturing features like wrinkles or baldness.
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"Verism" is the term used to describe very realistic Roman portraits specifically.
"Verism" is the term used to describe very realistic Roman portraits specifically.
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The "Archaic smile" found on many human images originating in Greece's Archaic Period was meant to be a sign of what?
The "Archaic smile" found on many human images originating in Greece's Archaic Period was meant to be a sign of what?
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The "Archaic smile" characteristic of faces from sixth century BCE art was probably mean to imbue unmoving stone faces with life and distinguish them from the unmoving faces of the dead.
The "Archaic smile" characteristic of faces from sixth century BCE art was probably mean to imbue unmoving stone faces with life and distinguish them from the unmoving faces of the dead.
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A is the base of a statue.
A is the base of a statue.
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The plinth is the "floor" or bottom of a state, which might then be set into a separately carved statue base.
The plinth is the "floor" or bottom of a state, which might then be set into a separately carved statue base.
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The difference between a bas-relief and a high relief in a carved sculpture is that .
The difference between a bas-relief and a high relief in a carved sculpture is that .
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A relief is a sculpture that is carved into a large slate of stone or metal, with its figures raised above a flat background. A bas-relief is a form of relief with very little depth between the carving and the background, while a high relief has much more depth. Neither term indicates any level of how ornate the carving actually is.
A relief is a sculpture that is carved into a large slate of stone or metal, with its figures raised above a flat background. A bas-relief is a form of relief with very little depth between the carving and the background, while a high relief has much more depth. Neither term indicates any level of how ornate the carving actually is.
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Roman sculpture distinguished itself from Greek sculpture by
Roman sculpture distinguished itself from Greek sculpture by
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Most Roman sculpture, and art of all kinds, was heavily based on Greek examples, and oftentimes it can be hard to distinguish between a Roman original and a Roman copy of a Greek sculpture. However, one major distinguishing feature of Roman sculpture is in its portraiture. Roman portraits depicted their subjects in a "warts and all" manner that showed every imperfection, as it was seen to exhibit worldliness and wisdom.
Most Roman sculpture, and art of all kinds, was heavily based on Greek examples, and oftentimes it can be hard to distinguish between a Roman original and a Roman copy of a Greek sculpture. However, one major distinguishing feature of Roman sculpture is in its portraiture. Roman portraits depicted their subjects in a "warts and all" manner that showed every imperfection, as it was seen to exhibit worldliness and wisdom.
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Pictured above is the Boxer at Rest. It is a public domain image and can be found at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boxer\_at\_Rest
The sculpture was created by a process that involves molds of the body made of wax and molten bronze casting, which is known as the .
Pictured above is the Boxer at Rest. It is a public domain image and can be found at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boxer\_at\_Rest
The sculpture was created by a process that involves molds of the body made of wax and molten bronze casting, which is known as the .
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The lost wax process involves carving first the wax in the shape of a limb or head, and then using that as a moulding for the hot bronze so it is both lighter as well as more realistic. Encaustic is also a process that involves wax, but it is wax paint and not wax sculpture. This process is now considered lost because after the Greeks stopped using it it fell out of fashion and was never properly replicated.
The lost wax process involves carving first the wax in the shape of a limb or head, and then using that as a moulding for the hot bronze so it is both lighter as well as more realistic. Encaustic is also a process that involves wax, but it is wax paint and not wax sculpture. This process is now considered lost because after the Greeks stopped using it it fell out of fashion and was never properly replicated.
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