KOUROI - in details Flashcards by Elena Ugarova

Describe

NEW YORK KOUROS, found in Attica (marble - from Naxos), ca. 610 - 600 BC, 1.84 m:

the earliest kouros;
square, frontal, conceived - flatly;
central groove divides him symmetrically - adds to his frontality;
abnormal proportions:
- head - very long;
- thighs - very short;
- slim;
- the only one fitting SECOND EGYPTIAN CANON:
  - current in Egypt after 680 BC;
  - set of greed proportions;
- anatomical details lacking:
  - chest - flat;
  - knee cupt - shield like.
TECHNOLOGY >> stance:
- constrained position = less marble used + more chances of preservation:
  - - if limbs stick out :
1. they break off;
2. statue could tip off;
- included piece of marble btw hand and thighs;
hand**-**arm – weird:
- curved fingers; thumb covers fingers;
- inner elbow - completely frontal;
- >> cant bend this way;
- >> they didnt care for this detail;
head: rectangular and flat :
- from Daedalic Style;
face: long, oval, broad forehead :
- narrow mouth;
- almond-like eyes;
- little suggestion of a smile - not archaic yet;
- heavy chin;
- very s_tylized nose_;
- volute-scrolls ears;
- features - carved on surface;
hair:
- 14 beaded locks:
  - __divided vertically
  - carved horizontally
  - >> pattern
- end with tassels;
fillet:
- from ear to ear;
- back - knot with symmetrical ends;
- h_air doesnt react_ to the band;
- BUT its smoothness nicely contrasts with the texture of his hair.
neckband:
- symmetrical ends too;
- reason:
  - either he is dressed;
  - or as identity marker.

>> it is obvious that he is a nude male, thus, they might have been more interested in patterns.

Carving - ON SURFACE.

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Describe :

NEW YORK KOUROS

NEW YORK KOUROS, found in Attica (marble - from Naxos), ca. 610 - 600 BC, 1.84 m:

the earliest kouros;
square, frontal, conceived - flatly;
central groove divides him symmetrically - adds to his frontality;
abnormal proportions:
- head - very long;
- thighs - very short;
- slim;
- the only one fitting SECOND EGYPTIAN CANON:
  - current in Egypt after 680 BC;
  - set of greed proportions;
- anatomical details lacking:
  - chest - flat;
  - knee cupt - shield like.
TECHNOLOGY >> stance:
- constrained position = less marble used + more chances of preservation:
  - - if limbs stick out :
1. they break off;
2. statue could tip off;
- included piece of marble btw hand and thighs;
hand**-**arm – weird:
- curved fingers; thumb covers fingers;
- inner elbow - completely frontal;
- >> cant bend this way;
- >> they didnt care for this detail;
head: rectangular and flat :
- from Daedalic Style;
face: long, oval, broad forehead :
- narrow mouth;
- almond-like eyes;
- little suggestion of a smile - not archaic yet;
- heavy chin;
- very s_tylized nose_;
- volute-scrolls ears;
- features - carved on surface;
hair:
- 14 beaded locks:
  - __divided vertically
  - carved horizontally
  - >> pattern
- end with tassels;
fillet:
- from ear to ear;
- back - knot with symmetrical ends;
- h_air doesnt react_ to the band;
- BUT its smoothness nicely contrasts with the texture of his hair.
neckband:
- symmetrical ends too;
- reason:
  - either he is dressed;
  - or as identity marker.

>> it is obvious that he is a nude male, thus, they might have been more interested in patterns.

Carving - ON SURFACE.

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Describe :

The DIPYLON HEAD

THE DILYPON HEAD, ca. 600 - 580 BC, Athens, Dipylon Cemetery, (would have been from a life-size statue):

Dipylon Cemetery >> probably, grave marker
*
face:
- developments from Daedalic Style
- linear;
- carved with ridges;
- extremelly oval;
- eyes - almond shaped;
ears:
- two volute-scrolls;
- ears - the means by which the hair was falling down!
hair:
- from one ear - to another;
- back - beaded; grooved vertically and horizontally;
- sweeps down in oval shape;
- textured hair - background for smooth face;
fillet - same as NY’s.

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Describe

THE DILYPON HEAD, ca. 600 - 580 BC, Athens, Dipylon Cemetery, (would have been from a life-size statue):

Dipylon Cemetery >> probably, grave marker
*
face:
- developments from Daedalic Style
- linear;
- carved with ridges;
- extremelly oval;
- eyes - almond shaped;
ears:
- two volute-scrolls;
- ears - the means by which the hair was falling down!
hair:
- from one ear - to another;
- back - beaded; grooved vertically and horizontally;
- sweeps down in oval shape;
- textured hair - background for smooth face;
fillet - same as NY’s.

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Describe :

SOUNNION KOUROI

THE SOUNION KOUR_OI,_ ca. 590-580 BC at Sounion, south of Athens, 3.05 m:

TWO Kouroi;
sanctuary of Poseidon >> mb, votive offerings;
identity:
- the more destroyed one - stars around nipples (no other found Kouroi has them) >> mb, the DIOSKOUROI brothers:
  - “sons of Zeus”

Because of their generosity to men, they were a_potheosed into gods after death_. At first the son of Zeus only was offered this gift, but he agreed only on condition that his half-twin share the honour. Zeus assented, but the pair had to spend alternate days in Haides to appease the Fates and the Gods of the Dead. Their sign was star like (depicted on the nipple of the damaged one – probably, the one whose turn was at the time). And they were the patrons of the sailors.

>> it could be a very appropriate to make them that big and to place them at that cape.

On the other hand, it is pretty vague.

stance:
- frontal;
- compact;
- one foot forward;
- no crontraposto;
- inner-elbow - less twisted but stiil is;
- elongated;
- no affiliation btw body parts;
head (only one has preserved head):
- eyes : Large staring; heavy eyelids
- Eyebrows – as a groove;
- Ear – in volute, very flat against the face.
hair:
- patterned;
- no separated breeds;
- stylized all together as a mass;
fillet:
- front :
  - some say - double fillet:
  - others - diadem: snail-curls on the front - part of the tiara;
- back : ends - very geometrical and unnatural;
grooving:
- more indications of muscles;
- 4 lines - abs;
- very patterned;
- knees - sheild-like;
- back - patterned too.

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Describe

THE SOUNION KOUR_OI,_ ca. 590-580 BC at Sounion, south of Athens, 3.05 m:

TWO Kouroi;
sanctuary of Poseidon >> mb, votive offerings;
identity:
- the more destroyed one - stars around nipples (no other found Kouroi has them) >> mb, the DIOSKOUROI brothers:
  - “sons of Zeus”

>> it could be a very appropriate to make them that big and to place them at that cape.

On the other hand, it is pretty vague.

stance:
- frontal;
- compact;
- one foot forward;
- no crontraposto;
- inner-elbow - less twisted but stiil is;
- elongated;
- no affiliation btw body parts;
head (only one has preserved head):
- eyes : Large staring; heavy eyelids
- Eyebrows – as a groove;
- Ear – in volute, very flat against the face.
hair:
- patterned;
- no separated breeds;
- stylized all together as a mass;
fillet:
- front :
  - some say - double fillet:
  - others - diadem: snail-curls on the front - part of the tiara;
- back : ends - very geometrical and unnatural;
grooving:
- more indications of muscles;
- 4 lines - abs;
- very patterned;
- knees - sheild-like;
- back - patterned too.

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Describe :

KLEOBIS & BITON

KLEOBIS & BITON, ca. 580 BC, Delphi (near the treasure of Athenians), 2.16 m:

general intend : as similar as possible by hand
- taken as the first instance of sculptural copying
dissimilarities :
- wear boots (apt for men acting as ox)
- tear-dot indication - a bit more naturalistic eyes;
interpretation :
- sons of a priestess of Hera, who was unable to get to the festival of Hera as her ox were overdue. The boys pulled the cart the entire way. Mother was impressed and asked Hera to give them the best present possible. Hera let them die in their sleep right at the festival so they would be remembered as heros.
- could be Dioskouri too : they were from Argos as the artist who created these two, Polymedes
head : massive and deep;
ears : very stylized and low;
hair :
- 3 masses ( 2 - front; 1 - back) - first example of such separation;
- breaded;
- on forehead - snail-curls – start at the level of outer eye;
- top - flattered pattern;
- seems a bit like they react to filled - mb, interest in realism;
- some sort of fillet;
body :
- more rounded, modeled, mascular;
- quite short arms and thighs;
- grooves - more swirly;
- no abdominal area;
- diamond - pattern.

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Describe

KLEOBIS & BITON, ca. 580 BC, Delphi (near the treasure of Athenians), 2.16 m:

general intend : as similar as possible by hand
- taken as the first instance of sculptural copying
dissimilarities :
- wear boots (apt for men acting as ox)
- tear-dot indication - a bit more naturalistic eyes;
interpretation :
- sons of a priestess of Hera, who was unable to get to the festival of Hera as her ox were overdue. The boys pulled the cart the entire way. Mother was impressed and asked Hera to give them the best present possible. Hera let them die in their sleep right at the festival so they would be remembered as heros.
- could be Dioskouri too : they were from Argos as the artist who created these two, Polymedes
head : massive and deep;
ears : very stylized and low;
hair :
- 3 masses ( 2 - front; 1 - back) - first example of such separation;
- breaded;
- on forehead - snail-curls – start at the level of outer eye;
- top - flattered pattern;
- seems a bit like they react to filled - mb, interest in realism;
- some sort of fillet;
body :
- more rounded, modeled, mascular;
- quite short arms and thighs;
- grooves - more swirly;
- no abdominal area;
- diamond - pattern.

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Decribe

THE SAMOS KOUROS, ca. 570 BC, Samos (Sanctuary of Hera), the largest known - 5.50 m :

material :
- marble of Samos >> scale;
- with veins - different approach to Kouroi;
inscription :
- on the leg (eastern tradition);
- >> dedication
body :
- smooth;
- roundness of anatomy + a bit plastic impression;
- looks modeled;
- knee - a bit more realistic;
- shoulders - a bit donw >> more proportionate;
- relies more on linear pattern;
face :
- fleshier (lots of flesh under the chin), rounded - typical for the east;
- eyes :
  - deep groove underneth;
  - no tear-dot;
  - a bit of pupi carved inside;
hair :
- different styles at once;
- not sure how they are intevined;
- beaded-swiped effect
- east - very ornate hair styles;

>> regional preferences (as they used the same tools).

+ differences - identification of a person or an area.

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Decribe :

Samos Kouros

THE SAMOS KOUROS, ca. 570 BC, Samos (Sanctuary of Hera), the largest known - 5.50 m :

material :
- marble of Samos >> scale;
- with veins - different approach to Kouroi;
inscription :
- on the leg (eastern tradition);
- >> dedication
body :
- smooth;
- roundness of anatomy + a bit plastic impression;
- looks modeled;
- knee - a bit more realistic;
- shoulders - a bit donw >> more proportionate;
- relies more on linear pattern;
face :
- fleshier (lots of flesh under the chin), rounded - typical for the east;
- eyes :
  - deep groove underneth;
  - no tear-dot;
  - a bit of pupi carved inside;
hair :
- different styles at once;
- not sure how they are intevined;
- beaded-swiped effect
- east - very ornate hair styles;

>> regional preferences (as they used the same tools).

+ differences - identification of a person or an area.

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Describe :

Kouros from Ptoan Sanctuary , ca. 560 - 550 BC

KOUROS FROM PTOAN SANCTUARY, Boeotia, ca. 560 - 550 BC:

location :
Boeotia - lots of modern Kouroi found there;
majority - at Ptoan sanctuary (at Ptoas);
no cemetery around >> dedications in the sanctuary;
one of the major sanctuaries of southern Greece at the time:
Ptoan :
version of Apollo;
one of the reasons Kouroi - reprepresentations of / dedications to Apollo;
standard :
stiff stance;
no anatomical follow through;
arms - down the sides;
no space btw arms and thighs;
anatomy - mixed:
modeled + grooved:
- elbows - naturalistic;
- v_ery high_ epigastric arch (common to eastern ones);
- very stylized abs;
epaulettes-like shoulders;
diamond-shape;
hair :
one mass;
kneeted-like pattern: horizontal grooves - deeper than vertical;
fillet;
top - different technique : many wavy lines >> hair pulled back;
tassels - long and narrow.

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Describe

KOUROS FROM PTOAN SANCTUARY, Boeotia, ca. 560 - 550 BC:

location :
Boeotia - lots of modern Kouroi found there;
majority - at Ptoan sanctuary (at Ptoas);
no cemetery around >> dedications in the sanctuary;
one of the major sanctuaries of southern Greece at the time:
Ptoan :
version of Apollo;
one of the reasons Kouroi - reprepresentations of / dedications to Apollo;
standard :
stiff stance;
no anatomical follow through;
arms - down the sides;
no space btw arms and thighs;
anatomy - mixed:
modeled + grooved:
- elbows - naturalistic;
- v_ery high_ epigastric arch (common to eastern ones);
- very stylized abs;
epaulettes-like shoulders;
diamond-shape;
hair :
one mass;
kneeted-like pattern: horizontal grooves - deeper than vertical;
fillet;
top - different technique : many wavy lines >> hair pulled back;
tassels - long and narrow.

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Describe

Kouros from Ptoan Sanctuary, Boeotia, ca. 550 BC:

material :
Boeotian marble - grayish >> more preoccupied with concept and image than material;
stance :
usual;
very square shoulders;
grooves :
diamond shape;
grid-like modeled abs;
back - deep groove for the spine but smoother;
vaguely suggested muscles;
hair - different treatment:
front : flat curls;
done with striations not individual locks;
no tassels;
very thick;
fillet - no knot, jst symmetrically arranged;
face - strange:
closely set eyes;
more real-almond like;
a bit angled nose;
no archaic smile;
low forehead;
overall :
Not a well-proportioned statue.
He also has a bit of a belly.

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Describe :

Kouros from Ptoan Sanctuary, ca. 550 BC

Kouros from Ptoan Sanctuary, Boeotia, ca. 550 BC:

material :
Boeotian marble - grayish >> more preoccupied with concept and image than material;
stance :
usual;
very square shoulders;
grooves :
diamond shape;
grid-like modeled abs;
back - deep groove for the spine but smoother;
vaguely suggested muscles;
hair - different treatment:
front : flat curls;
done with striations not individual locks;
no tassels;
very thick;
fillet - no knot, jst symmetrically arranged;
face - strange:
closely set eyes;
more real-almond like;
a bit angled nose;
no archaic smile;
low forehead;
overall :
Not a well-proportioned statue.
He also has a bit of a belly.

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Desribe :

Volomandra Kouros

VOLOMANDRA KOUROS, ca. 560 - 550 BC, Volomandra, Attica, 1. 79 m :

last generation of Kouros:
- rigidity - getting relaxed : one of the earliest examples
description - none;
body:
- new:
  - more rounded (before - only Eastern ones)
  - sublte chest;
  - more naturalistic abs;
  - broad sholders;
  - appears : conceived as a figure
    - (not as separate limbs and parts)
- same:
  - the diamon-pattern of epigastric arch and lower stomach
head
- new / diffferent
  - ear - more naturalistic;
  - eyes - a bit tilted >> observation of nature
  - flame-like pattern of hair - could be a diadem
- same:
  - archaic smile
  - almond-shape eyes:
    - very open
    - staring >> observation of nature coupled with the design
    - - beaded hair

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Desribe

VOLOMANDRA KOUROS, ca. 560 - 550 BC, Volomandra, Attica, 1. 79 m :

last generation of Kouros:
- rigidity - getting relaxed : one of the earliest examples
description - none;
body:
- new:
  - more rounded (before - only Eastern ones)
  - sublte chest;
  - more naturalistic abs;
  - broad sholders;
  - appears : conceived as a figure
    - (not as separate limbs and parts)
- same:
  - the diamon-pattern of epigastric arch and lower stomach
head
- new / diffferent
  - ear - more naturalistic;
  - eyes - a bit tilted >> observation of nature
  - flame-like pattern of hair - could be a diadem
- same:
  - archaic smile
  - almond-shape eyes:
    - very open
    - staring >> observation of nature coupled with the design
    - - beaded hair

Describe :

ANAVYSOS KOUROS aka KROISOS

ANAVYSOS aka KROISOS, Anavysos, Attica, ca. 530 BC, 1. 94 m

grave marker : inscription - name and time of death

>> 1. they had different functions

it is Eastern name - why in Attica then?

one from the last generation >> new :
- ridges dissapear;
- very bulky;
- turned properly arms;
- arms - bent a bit : he gets ready to make a move;
- hair - no tassels.
same:
- stiff pose;
- hand - conencted to thighs;
- fillet;
smooth skull - mb was in a helmet.

Describe

ANAVYSOS aka KROISOS, Anavysos, Attica, ca. 530 BC, 1. 94 m

inscription with inscription - name and time of death >> grave marker

>> 1. they had different functions

it is Eastern name - why in Attica then?

one from the last generation >> new :
- ridges dissapear;
- very bulky;
- turned properly arms;
- arms - bent a bit : he gets ready to make a move;
- hair - no tassels.
same:
- stiff pose;
- hand - conencted to thighs;
- fillet;
smooth skull - mb was in a helmet.

Describe

Aristodikos Kouros, Attica, ca. 500 - 490 BC, 1. 98 m

inscription on the base : identity >> grave marker;
VERY LAST ONE >> 2 HUGE innovations:
- ARMS MOVE:
  - drawn back - shoulders too;
    - >> look of action;
    - >> changes in carving technique;
    - >> different approach to marble;
- SHORT HAIR:
  - chronologically the 1st one with short hair;
  - different sence of proportion;
  - lots of snail curls;
  - top - smoother curls >> mb, had helmet on;
other improvements:
- diamond-shape - gone;
- grooved - smoother;
- knees - no sheild-like design;
- proportional
- head - a bit forward >> motion a bit;
same:
- hands are connected to thighs;
- stance - pretty rigid;
- collarbone - a bit rigid

Describe :

ARISTODIKOS KOUROS

Aristodikos Kouros, Attica, ca. 500 - 490 BC, 1. 98 m

inscription on the base : identity >> grave marker;
VERY LAST ONE >> 2 HUGE innovations:
- ARMS MOVE:
  - drawn back - shoulders too;
    - >> look of action;
    - >> changes in carving technique;
    - >> different approach to marble;
- SHORT HAIR:
  - chronologically the 1st one with short hair;
  - different sence of proportion;
  - lots of snail curls;
  - top - smoother curls >> mb, had helmet on;
other improvements:
- diamond-shape - gone;
- grooved - smoother;
- knees - no sheild-like design;
- proportional
- head - a bit forward >> motion a bit;
same:
- hands are connected to thighs;
- stance - pretty rigid;
- collarbone - a bit rigid

Examples of Kouroi from

Mainland Greece

The New York Kouros,
- ca. 610 - 600 BC
- found in Attica, marble - from Naxos
- 1.84 m
- unknown function
The Dipylon Head,
- ca. 600 - 580 BC
- found in Athens at Dipylon Cemetery, island marble
- 1. 44 m
- cemetery >> probably, grave marker
The Sounion Kouroi,
- ca. 590 - 580 BC
- Sounion, sanctuary of Poseidon, marble - from Naxos
- >> votive dedication
- 3.05 m - restored
Kleobis and Biton,
- ca. 580 BC
- found at Delphi, near the sanctuary of Athenians
- >> votive dedication
- 1. 16 m & 2.18 m - restored

Examples of Kouroi with regional differences

The Samos Kouros
- ca. 570 BC
- Samos, Sanctuary of Hera
- 1. 50m
- inscription >> dedication
The Kouros from Ptoan Sanctuary
- ca. 560-550 BC
- Boeotia, Ptoan Sanctuary
- 1.42 m
- sanctuary + no cemetery >> dedication
The Kouros from Ptoan Sanctuary
- ca. 550 BC
- Boeotia, Ptoan Sanctuary
- 1.27 m

Examples of the last generation of Kouroi

Volomandra Kouros
- ca. 560 - 550 BC
- Volomandra, Attica; Parian marble
- 1. 79 m
- no inscription
Anavysos Kouros aka Kroisos
- ca. 530 BC
- Anavysos, Attica
- 1. 94 m
- from inscription – grave marker
Aristodikos Kouros
- ca. 500 - 490 BC
- Mesogeia, Attica
- 1. 98 m
- from inscription – grave marker