1. “The Doryphoros is an example
of perfect naturalism”.
Using your own knowledge of 6th & 5th
century B.C sculpture, explain to what
extent you agree with this statement.

2. Aims
• To identify a range of developments made in
free standing sculpture during 5th and 6th
century BC.
• To identify various statues which demonstrate
these changes.
• To evaluate the Doryphoros as an example of
ideal naturalism.

3. New York Kouros (from Diadoumenos by Polykleitos copy
of a bronze original from around
Attica) late 7th century BC. 430 BC.

4. The Anavyssos
Kouros c. 530 BC
-Early example of
naturalism in
sculpture.
-Muscle definition,
facial features and
the hair, have
improved since the
New York Kouros.

5. Aristodikos
memorial, late 6th
century BC
-Partial solution to the
problems of the artificial
looking beaded hair effect, by
cutting the hair short.
-Continued developing
trends of naturalism as the
proportions became more
accurate.

6. Kritios Boy .
Early 5th century BC
-Advances indicating
movement include the
introduction of slight
‘Contrapposto’.
-Body carved with great
subtlety.
-The soft edges suggest
youth.

7. Bronze Statue of Zeus
(or Poseidon) c. 460 BC
Like the Kritios
Boy the torso,
while highly
detailed and
accurate, is
completely
unresponsive to
movement.

8. Diskobolos by
Myren 2nd quarter
of 5th century BC
-Portrays that moment
of stillness in the midst
of action.
-Symmetry completely
avoided.
-Movement suggested in
the way the abdominals
fold.

9. Riace Warrior
Bronze 450-475 BC
Contrapposto used, not only in
shoulders, hips and torso, but
also in the arms.
Detail of hair and face are very
convincing.
Contrapposto is evident from
all angles, as is detail.
Abandoned symmetry in order
to create the illusion of
freedom.

10. Polykleitos
Diadoumenos c.430 BC
-Produced around a decade
after the Doryphoros.
-Developed his ‘rule’ or
‘measurement’ which
improved anatomical
proportions (symmetria).
-Effective and increased
use of Contrapposto

11. Doryphoros by
Polykleitos
c.440 BC
Subtle use of
Contrapposto in the
shoulders and hips.
Galen described it as
the perfect visual
expression of the
Greeks' search for
harmony and beauty,
which is rendered in
the perfectly
proportioned sculpted
male nude.

12. Task
• Using pages 130-134 of your green books and
your lesson notes, fill in the Handout entitled
“Task 2”.

13. Task
• In your groups, use play
dough to create 2 statues.
• One should be a Kouros.
(remember archaic smile,
symmetry, crude detail etc)
• The other should be
influenced by naturalism.
(try to clearly demonstrate
contrapposto, symmetria,
movement, detail etc)

14. Have you been able.....?
• To identify a range of developments made in
free standing sculpture during 5th and 6th
century BC.
• To identify various statues which demonstrate
these changes.
• To evaluate the Doryphoros as an example of
ideal naturalism.