Period Extras

Song

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IHWeuQyFouo

Well, you can tell by the way I use my walk
I'm a woman's man, no time to talk

Story Behind Art

Doryphoros (Spear Bearer), also known as Achilles, was used to exemplify its maker's new idea and his style. The statue was made by Polykleitos as a representation of the canon of proportions he developed, called The Canon, which used mathematical terms to explain proportions in any statue built by that set of rules.  In addition, contrapposto is introduced, meaning the angle of his hips is balanced by an equal and opposite tilt of the shoulders, and his weight bearing and free parts alternate, making Doryphoros look natural and balanced.  This is strikingly different from the erect, direct positions of Archaic statues.  Furthermore, the statue carries other hallmarks of the Classical period, such as the lack of the Archaic smile.  The Spear Bearer looks off into the distance and away from the spear he used to hold, which encourages the viewer to inspect the sculpture from all sides, while it seems Archaic statue is mostly to be viewed frontally.  The artwork is generally more detailed and accurate than that of the preceding period, although features are still generalized.  However, in general this is an excellent work to depict the art style of the Early Classical period. 

Source: Stokstad Art History 3rd Edition, http://www.sikyon.com/Sicyon/Polykleitos/polycl_egpg1.html

Video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aU81g9wmg8Q