It is not known. Not much is known about his life and his work has not survived. What we know about his work is down to descriptions by Pausanias and attributions by Cicero and Pliny and copies made by other scultors, mostly Roman ones.
450-420 bce.
The "Spear Bearer," also known as the "Doryphoros," is a classical sculpture created by the ancient Greek artist Polykleitos in the 5th century BCE. This work exemplifies the idealized human form and represents the principles of balance and proportion in art, particularly through its use of contrapposto—a stance that gives a sense of movement and dynamism. The sculpture embodies the Greek ideals of beauty and athleticism, reflecting the cultural values of the time.
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The Doryphoros, or "Spear-Bearer," sculpted by Polykleitos, epitomizes the ancient Greek ideal of man through its embodiment of balance, proportion, and harmony. The statue exemplifies the concept of "symmetria," where the ideal male form is represented in a mathematical proportion that conveys beauty and strength. Its contrapposto stance, showcasing a relaxed yet muscular physique, reflects both physical perfection and the philosophical ideals of the time, emphasizing the unity of mind and body. Thus, the Doryphoros serves as a timeless symbol of the ideal human form in classical art.
Greek sculpture during the classical period is characterized by its emphasis on naturalism, proportion, and the idealized human form. Artists sought to capture not only physical beauty but also the expression of emotion and movement, leading to a sense of realism in their works. Notable sculptures from this era, such as those by Phidias and Polykleitos, exemplify the balance and harmony of the human body, reflecting the cultural values of the time. Overall, classical Greek sculpture represents a pinnacle of artistic achievement, blending aesthetic beauty with philosophical ideals.
Polykleitos
Polykleitos the Younger [Jounior] was a sculptor of athletes but he won his fame as an architect
Polykleitos
450-420 bce.
Polykleitos, Phidias, Praxiteles, Lysippos, Skopas.
Polykleitos, in his sculpture of Doryphoros.
Polykleitos
Polykleitos's statue, known as the "Spear Bearer" (Doryphoros), emphasizes the ideals of symmetry, proportion, and the portrayal of the perfect male form in ancient Greek sculpture. It exemplifies the Classical principles of aesthetics through its balanced contrapposto stance and meticulous attention to anatomical detail. The statue embodies the concept of "arete," or excellence, showcasing the harmony between physical beauty and moral virtue. Polykleitos's work serves as a benchmark for subsequent representations of the human body in art.
Polykleitos's Doryphoros, often referred to as "the Canon," is called so because it embodies the ideal proportions and symmetry of the human body, serving as a standard or "canon" for beauty in classical sculpture. Polykleitos developed a set of mathematical ratios to define these ideal proportions, which he articulated in a theoretical treatise known as the "Canon." The sculpture exemplifies his principles by depicting a perfectly balanced and harmonious figure of a youthful athlete, showcasing the blend of naturalism and idealism characteristic of ancient Greek art.
Polykleitos's statue, known as The Spear Bearer (or Doryphoros), is a renowned example of ancient Greek sculpture that exemplifies the ideals of classical beauty and proportion. Created around the 5th century BCE, it depicts a muscular young athlete holding a spear, showcasing the artist's mastery of the contrapposto stance, where the weight is shifted onto one leg, creating a dynamic yet balanced pose. The statue embodies Polykleitos's theoretical principles of symmetry and harmony, as articulated in his treatise, the Canon, which sought to define the ideal human form. Although the original bronze statue is lost, Roman copies in marble provide insight into its significance in the development of classical art.
The bronze statue known as Doryphoros (Spear Bearer) was cast by the ancient Greek sculptor Polykleitos around the 5th century BCE. Polykleitos created this work as part of his exploration of ideal human proportions, encapsulated in his theoretical treatise known as the "Kanons." The statue exemplifies the classical ideals of beauty and harmony in the human form and had a significant influence on later art and sculpture.
The Greek sculptor Polykleitos designed Doryphoros(Spear-Bearer),as an example of the "canon" or "rule", showing the perfectly harmonious and balanced proportions of the human body in the sculpted form, about 440 BC.