Title
Preview
Class Name and Date
Art 230: Ancient Art. Fall 2015
Format Type
Sculpture
Time Period
Classical Period
Theme
The Figure in High Classical Greek Sculpture
Media
Bronze with copper inlays
Dimensions
Warrior A: 197 cm., Warrior B: 198 cm.
Description
Date: 460-450 B.C.E.
The Riace Warriors represent a culmination of the Early Classical style. “The statues were discovered by Stefano Mariottini in the Mediterranean Sea just off the coast of Riace Marina, Italy, on August 16, 1972. The statues are currently housed in the Museo Nazionale della Magna Grecia in the Italian city of Reggio Calabria.”[1] They are referred to as Warrior A and Warrior B. It is clear that there are two different body types here, as well as two styles of sculpting, indicating that the two had different sculptors. Warrior A is more robust and heavier in proportions. His chest is more upright and defined. He is also the younger of the two warriors.[2] His eyes are inset making him appear alert, but more importantly, lifelike. Different alloys like copper, for example, are employed to his body and face, giving a sense of different textures interacting with one another.[3] Because of this, Warrior A appears very lifelike. His smooth skin contrasts with his dynamic hair and in-sized brows. The intricate curls and strands of hair give a sense of dynamism to the statue. We also see here a step closer to the contrapposto stance.[4] There is a clear diagonal line created by the shift in his hips. However, the diagonal line created by the shoulders should be opposite if it were to be full contrapposto stance. Warrior B has a stronger curvature than Warrior A. His stance has a little more sway to it, with a continuous, swooping line from his should, to his hip, down to his knees and all the way to his feet. He is less upright than Warrior A because of this posture.
Both Warrior A and B are life-size and would have held shields and worn helmets made of silver.[5] This is an example of lost-wax casting that shows a kind of technical expertise, as the size of the statues would have made this even more challenging. Also, the bronze material itself obscures the modeling but gives a sense of lifelike musculature because of the reflective nature of the medium.[6]
These two warriors are an example of the severe style. “The Severe style is marked by an increased interest in the use of bronze as a medium as well as an increase in the characterization of the sculpture, among other features.”[7] This severe style can be seen in the placidity of the expression on both Warrior A and Warrior B’s faces. It can also be seen in the treatment on of the hair on top of Warrior A’s head. It is very close to his head with no loose strands except for below the headband.
The Riace warriors both display the abilities of the bronze medium to represent the dynamism versus the severe placid style. Together with this and their closeness to the contropposto stance, the Riace Warriors make for a smooth transition to the High Classical Greek period.
Bibliography
Archino, Sarah. Class Lecture. (ART 230 Class Lecture, Furman University, Greenville, SC, November 11, 2015).
Becker, Jeffrey A., “Riace Warriors.” Khan Academy. Accessed November 13, 2015. https://www.khanacademy.org/humanities/ancient-art-civilizations/greek- art/early-classical/a/riace-warriors Image Source: news.artnet.com
[1] Becker, Jeffrey A., “Riace Warriors”, Khan Academy, accessed November 11, 2015, https://www.khanacademy.org/humanities/ancient-art-civilizations/greek-art/early-classical/a/riace-warriors
[2] Becker, Jeffrey A., “Riace Warriors”.
[3] Archino, Sarah, Class Lecture, (ART 230 Class Lecture, Furman University, Greenville, SC, November 11, 2015).
[4] C Archino, Class Lecture.
[5] Archino, Sarah, Class Lecture, (ART 230 Class Lecture, Furman University, Greenville, SC, November 11, 2015).
[6] Archino, Class Lecture.
[7] Becker, Jeffrey A., “Riace Warriors”, Khan Academy, accessed November 11, 2015, https://www.khanacademy.org/humanities/ancient-art-civilizations/greek-art/early-classical/a/riace-warriors