Kritios boy, Classical
Factual Information:
From: Acropolis, Athens, Greece
Period: 480 BCE
Period: 480 BCE
General Information:
This marble Kritios Boy, or Kritian Boy, was made during the classical period of Ancient Greece. This was the height of realism at the time, the ancient Greek artists had achieved what they had in mind, which is a perfectly realistic human form. It exhibits a number of critical innovations that make it seem lifelike and living. Among these innovations is controposto, or having its hips and legs turned in a different manner than the body of the sculpture. Also to make it more lifelike, the artists put specific detail into the muscles, as well as the expansion of the chest that make it seem as if the sculpture were in the middle of taking a breath.
Why This Artwork?
This Artwork was the height of the classical realism phase. Once they had achieved this they had realized that it was not good enough, that they wanted to exaggerate and idealize further. The later sculptures, along with this one, help us to ascertain that motive, which gives us a glimpse into the artists minds, and that is why this artwork was chosen.