Polykleitos, Doryphoros (Spear-Bearer) or The Canon, c - Google Docs

Polykleitos and the Human Body

Doryphoros (Spear-Bearer)

• Date: c. 450-40 B.C.E.

• Artist: Polykleitos, known for establishing a canon of proportions.

• Medium: Marble (Roman copy of a Greek bronze).

• Size: 211 cm.

• Location: Archaeological Museum, Naples.

Concept of the Human Body

• Emphasis on naturalism in ancient Greek art, idealizing strength and beauty, contrasted by medieval neglect of realism.

Renaissance:

• Artists like Giotto reintroduced spatial depth, moving away from flat designs to dynamic compositions.

• Florence and Siena became hubs of artistic resurgence.

Patronage:

• Guilds and religious organizations commissioned art, connecting individuals to communal identity.

Italo-Byzantine Influence:

• Thirteenth-century art featured solid outlines and gold backgrounds but evolved towards perspective and realism by the 14th century.

Giotto's Contributions:

• Created relatable settings in his religious narratives, influencing future artists through his workshop.

Impact of the Black Death:

• Led to artistic shifts and innovation, with notable works like Ambrogio Lorenzetti's "Allegory of Good Government."

Sienese Contributions:

• Duccio, often considered the father of Sienese painting, blended decorative elements with communal significance in his works.