Alcamenes and the Establishment of the Classical Type in Greek Art

This book, originally published in 1926, studies the 'turning-point' in Classical Greek art in the second quarter of the fifth century BC.

Charles Walston (Author)

9781107663022, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 29 May 2014

310 pages
27.9 x 21 x 1.6 cm, 0.7 kg

In this study, originally published in 1926, Sir Charles Walston sets forward his theory on the 'turning-point' in Classical Greek art in the second quarter of the fifth century BC, which he connects with the creation of the western pediment of the Temple of Olympia by the sculptor Alcamenes. Walston examines the treatment of certain aspects of the human body in Greek art, such as the eye and the male nude, and how such treatments changed during the Classical period. A more general survey of the other works of Alcamenes is also included. This richly illustrated and detailed book will be of value to anyone with an interest in Classical art and its development.

Prefatory note
List of illustrations in the text
List of plates
Part I: 1. The classical type. Introduction
2. Persistence of Greek thought
3. Persistence of Greek art. Naturalism and idealism. The establishment of the classical type in the human body and face
4. The treatment of the nude male body in the evolution of the classical type
5. The facial angle
6. The treatment of the eye
Part II: 1. Alcamenes and the credibility of Pausanias
2. The sculptures of Olympia. Paionios and the eastern pediment of the temple of Zeus
3. Alcamenes and the western pediment of the temple of Zeus
Part III: 1. General survey of the life and works of Alcamenes
2. The Hermes Propylaios
3. The gold and ivory dionysos in his temple at Athens
4. The Alcamenean Athena-type, the so-called 'Lemnian-Athena' of Phidias
5. The Aphrodite of Alcamenes
6. The Encrinomenos of Alcamenes
7. The Herakles of Alcamenes
8. Alcamenean and Phidian sculptures and recent discoveries
Conclusion
Appendix
Index.

Subject Areas: Classical history / classical civilisation [HBLA1]