Free-Standing Sculpture (just has NYK so far)

Ft my correct opinions

New York Kouros- What period is it from?

Archaic Period

What culture did the initial Geek statues take influence from?

Egyptian culture

What caused the Greeks to take influence from different cultures?

The relaxing towards hostility from foreigners in the 660s BC

What method was used to create marble-free standing sculptures?

The block-carving method

Explain the block-carving method

1. A sculptor used a grid which they would draw the figure on

2. Using a punch they would chip away at the sculpture

3. All the sides came together at right angles so diagonal viewpoints looked a bit bad

4. Then the sculptor used increasingly finer tools and abrasive powder to get the desired shape

5. Some stone would be left at the base of the statue to serve as a plinth

6. Details of muscles and physique were often carved on

Male free-standing statues in the Archaic period were typically?

Kouroi

New York Kouros date?

590-580 BC

Opinions on the New York Kouros? The only correct ones

He’s a fine looking guy, he’s pretty well done although he looks like a child. A solid 7/10.

Where can you find the NYK (New York Kouros)? Unfortunately he’s not with me

Metropolitan Museum in New York

Name the characteristics of a typical kouros statue (3 are fine)

• Nearly always nude

• Stand frontally

• Torso marked with symmetrical and unnatural incisions that show chest muscles and pelvic arch

• Left leg stands in front of right leg in a walking pose, weight distributed evenly between legs (hips are straight)

• Arms are by his sides, it’s closed, thumbs resting gently on them

• Has almond shaped eyes that look straight ahead

• Has wig-like hair that is symmetrical and braided

• There is symmetry across the whole body

• Could be a votive offering to the gods, grave-markers, memorials or representations of gods

What is the NYK made of? (Clue: not gold)

Marble

Who was the artist of the NYK?

Tricked ya! We have no clue.

What was the purpose of the NYK?

Some say it is unknown others say it’s a grave-marker

Robin Osborne says what in his book ‘Archaic and Classical Greek Art’ that is so incredibly wrong?

“The New York kouros makes not statement about man at all.”

What does the NYK tell you about man?

• Greek culture and aesthetics specifically:

  • The ideals of tranquility, calm, peace, ethereality and composure

  • The ideals of beauty to be almost beyond human and stylised (god-like?)

The NYK doesn’t have a scrunchie in his hair instead he has a….

Fillet tied to the top of his hair

What does Archaic stylised hair typically symbolise?

An aristocratic nature

Where are the areas of definition on the NYK?

Pectorals, abdomen and knees

How tall is the NYK? (He’s taller than you)

1.95m

Where was the NYK originally discovered?

Attica (a surrounding city of Athens)

Why were kouroi always standing in their signature position?

The marble was too heavy to put them in any other way

Describe the NYK overall physique

Slender, with a narrow torso but has broad shoulders.

What Egyptian statue can we compare the NYK to?

The Tjayasetimu (that’s so easy to say!)

When does the Tjayasetimu date from?

630 BC

Make comparisons with the NYK and Tjayasetimu? (2 are fine)

• The back-view of NYK is stylistically harmonious, aesthetically pleasing and symmetrical by contrast

• It isn’t naked in comparison it wears a loin cloth

• It has less defined muscles, it looks like an individual

• Any others you made

Name the statue!!!

New York Kouros <3