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The Triad of Menkaure is a renowned statue depicting King Menkaure standing between goddess Hathor and goddess Bat. It is part of a larger complex built by Menkaure himself, featuring the smallest of the three Pyramids of Giza. The sculpture is known for its realism, excellence, and austere beauty, making it one of the most emblematic works of the Cairo Museum. Menkaure’s facial features are remarkably individualized, and he wears the crown of Upper Egypt and has a false beard.

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free-standing Ancient Greek sculptures that depict nude male youths.

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To better understand contrapposto, we can start by looking at an example that is not contrapposto. Here a drawing of an ancient Greek Kouros sculpture that portrays a figure in a very symmetrical and rigid pose:

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A contrapposto pose, showing a later sculpture that represents the beginning of the Greek classical style.

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Polykleitos'

Doryphoros(also known as the Spear-Bearer) is a renowned Greek sculpture from Classical antiquity. It depicts a muscular, standing warrior originally holding a spear. This lost bronze original is believed to have been created around 440 BC. 

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ANCIENT GREEK 440 BC:  Doryphoros, Polykleitos

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ANCIENT GREEK 440 BC:  Doryphoros, Polykleitos

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THIS IS a roman marble replica the original bronze is lost.

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In contrapposto
…the completely relaxed 4th-century “Hermes Carrying the Infant Dionysus” by Praxiteles. The rhythmic ease of the contrapposto pose vastly enlarged the expressive possibilities of figure sculpture.

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ANCIENT GREEK 330BC:  “Hermes Carrying the Infant Dionysus” by Praxiteles

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ANCIENT GREEK 330BC:  “Hermes Carrying the Infant Dionysus” by Praxiteles

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During the Renaissance, the classical ideals of the Greeks were revived, and artists showed a renewed interest in the realistic depiction of the figure. Here we see how Michelangelo’s David demonstrates a methodical application of contrapposto:

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To better appreciate how the forms of a contrapposto figure are organized, we can reduce the organic forms of the body to basic volumes. THIS illustration shows the basic volumes of David:

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High Renaissance 1483-1520, Raffaello Sanzio (Raphael) - Three Graces

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High Renaissance 1483-1520, Raffaello Sanzio (Raphael) - Three Graces

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Mannerism 1551AD, Baccio Bandinelli (Adam and Eve)

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Mannerism 1551AD, Baccio Bandinelli (Adam and Eve)

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Key characteristics

Weight shift:

The figure's weight is primarily on one leg, while the other is relaxed or bent.

Body twist:

The pose causes a twist in the torso, with the hips and shoulders set at opposite angles to one another.

Naturalism:

It breaks from stiffness by conveying a more relaxed, lifelike, and dynamic appearance.

S-curve:

The posture creates a graceful, natural S-shape through the body.

Historical significance

Ancient Greece:

The pose was developed during the Classical Period of ancient Greece (c. 510–323 BCE) as a way to represent the human form more realistically and confidently.

Renaissance:

Artists such as Donatello and Michelangelo revived and popularized the technique, using it to add a sense of anatomical accuracy, movement, and psychological tension to their work.

Modern use:

Contrapposto continues to be used today to create naturalistic and relaxed representations of the human figure in sculpture and other art forms.