Early Classical Flashcards
DELPHIC CHARIOTEER
Key Features
> 478/474 BCE
5ft11
parts of the base have survived with the original statue, indicated that the base was commissioned by Polyzalus, who was the Tyrant of Gela (a Greek colony in Sicily) for helping to win a chariot race during the Pythian Games.
Originally had 4 statues and a slave with a spare horse
Made up of 7 parts, each part cast separately (feet, lower body to belt, upper body to mid-neck, head and arms)
remains of reigns still in hands
fully clothed, with movement sculpted into the drapery
DELPHIC CHARIOTEER
Head
> Hair on the top is incised with sharp strokes of a chisel, full ringlets that escape beneath the headband cast separately and then attached to the head.
The detailed curls of his wet hair and soft beard speak of the preceding race in intimate and subtle details that lend the sculpture an art of luxury
cheeks arch in wide, gentle curves from flat broad eyebrows and high cheekbones across a long, lower jaw to a full chin
»» CHARACTERISTIC OF EARLY CLASSICAL PERIOD
DELPHIC CHARIOTEER
Face
> the eyelashes (which were individually picked out) are made of copper
the headband was in meander shape and is impressed in silver
eyes were made of onyx and were inlayed
he holds an introverted, reflective expression that is very different from the mindless archaic smile of the Kouros
his face is serious, aristocratic and taught, representing the ethos of Athens; the innate excellence of noble nature, which gives them proficiency and pride in their human endeavours but humility before the gods
sideburns were stuck on
»»»> due to Bronze Casting Method
DELPHIC CHARIOTEER
Posture
> Well balanced, and his long chiton drops over his abundant athletic body with architectural certainty, allowing idealism to flow through the serene parallel folds that run the length of his lower body before they begin to neatly curl over his torso, mirroring the architecture of the temple where he was found
his torso is in proportion but his legs are uncharacteristically long for practicality
DELPHIC CHARIOTEER
Feet
> modelled with scholarly realism
exist not merely as a base pr a simple representation of the human anatomy
Instead they act as a negotiator that instigates the delicate twist of the extensive body, and infuses fluidity and lightness to the naturally heavy bronze mass
