Haojun Zhang HUM 111 Dr. Helen Emmitt 12 / 5 / 2014 A Visual Analysis of the “Kouros” and “Venus de Milo” By comparing the “Kouros” to the “Venus de Milo”, one is immediately struck visually by the contrasting depiction of human form. The “Kouros” is almost a caricature of humanity whereas the “Venus de Milo” is more of a true reflection of the natural body. Both works of art, created by unknown sculptors, are similar in that both were created in marble yet are different in their tactile surfaces. The viewer is visually reminded that the “Kouros” was chiseled from a rough slab of stone but the viewer is visually deceived when scanning the polished surface of flesh and drapery carved in the “Venus de Milo”. …show more content…
The “Venus”, on display in the Louvre, reflects the naturalistic style more commonly associated with ancient Greek sculpture. The viewer can see the clear development from archaic style to a later mixed-Hellenistic style. The “Venus de Milo” is a symbol of beauty in Greek sculpture, and creates a sense of visual harmony and femininity from a structural and aesthetic point of view. The Hellenistic Greek sculptor makes a much more lifelike composition by more closely observing the human form as it stands at rest. The Hellenistic sculptor uses the contrapposto stance, which is when weight is shifted naturally on one leg, causing the hip, pelvis, shoulders and head to pivot in space. This causes a natural S-curve in the body of the “Venus de Milo” instead of the straight line found in the “Kouros". The Hellenistic sculptor is not concerned about keeping the appendages close to the body, and that is why over time the open arms were broken off. The Hellenistic sculptor was more concerned with the reality of life than the archaic sculptor, who was more concerned about the symmetry of the sculpture’s form. All of these differences are clearly shown in the “Kouros ” and the “Venus de Milo”. The “Venus de Milo”, which is a sculpture in the round, is made more lifelike because of its contrapposto stance. Moreover, her S-curve …show more content…
The simplified nude youth inspires the later Classical and Hellenistic style sculptor to create a more naturalistic body such as the “Venus de Milo”. The wavy locks of hair combined with the rhythmic shadows within the drapery gives the viewer interesting surfaces to study and is in contrast to the smooth surface of the flesh. The “ Venus de Milo” is the apex of Hellenistic style sculptures. This partially nude artwork is different visually to the “Kouros” which is completely nude. The “Kouros” gives one the feeling of stiff masculinity, but the “Venus de Milo” gives one the sense of sensual softness. The broad hips and supple breasts also suggest the fertility of the goddess “Venus” which is an important trait for a beautiful woman in antiquity. The artist pays careful attention to every detail of the feminine body. From the hairstyle to the appearance of her eyes, all of these details create a sense of realism. At the same time, the proportion of the body and the harmony of the linear S-curve also make this artwork more natural. In the Hellenistic Age, the goal of sculptor is to make his artwork appear more relaxed and show the ready movement of the muscle, but the “Venus de Milo” is a mixed artwork of Classical and Hellenistic style. The unknown artist tried his best to find the essence of the immortal goddess and to create a sense of physical