Contrapposto

Contrapposto
   Italian term for a technique developed by ancient Greek sculptors to represent the human figure standing at ease in a relaxed and natural stance. It was based on an intentional assymetry of stance, with one leg carrying most of the body's weight and the other leg free. Although based on depiction of the body at rest, the technique was also fundamental to realistic representation of the body in motion. This technique first appeared in early Greek classical sculpture (early fifth century B.C.) and was widely used throughout the classical period but fell out of use in medieval sculpture. Its rediscovery in the early 15th century is attributed to the Florentine sculptor Donatello. At least, it first appears in his work, notably his bronze David, executed about 1425, which is reminiscent of classical statuary in its contrapposto stance. In painting, the use of contrapposto first appears in the work of Masaccio, most strikingly in The Tribute Money (ca. 1427) but also in the nude figures of Adam and Eve in his Expulsion from Paradise.

Historical Dictionary of Renaissance. . 2004.

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  • Contrapposto — is an Italian term that means counterpose. It is used in the visual arts to describe a human figure standing with most of its weight on one foot so that its shoulders and arms twist off axis from the hips and legs. This gives the figure a more… …   Wikipedia

  • Contrapposto — es un término italiano para designar la oposición armónica de las distintas partes del cuerpo de la figura humana, lo que proporciona cierto movimiento y contribuye a romper la ley de la frontalidad. Fue el escultor Policleto quien lo puso en… …   Enciclopedia Universal

  • contrapposto — ● contrapposto nom masculin (italien contrapposto) Dans une statue, position debout au repos dans laquelle le poids du corps se reporte sur une seule jambe, cependant que l épaule au dessus de cette jambe remonte (hanchement contrarié) …   Encyclopédie Universelle

  • contrapposto — /kontra p:osto/ [part. pass. di contrapporre ]. ■ agg. [che è in opposizione logica, ideale: caratteri, principi c. ] ▶◀ antitetico, contrastante, opposto. ◀▶ coincidente, concorde. ■ s.m., non com. 1. [cosa o persona che si contrappone ad altra …   Enciclopedia Italiana

  • contrapposto — 1903, from It. contrapposto, pp. of contrapporre, from L. contraponere (see CONTRAPOSITION (Cf. contraposition)) …   Etymology dictionary

  • Contrapposto — Copie d une statue de Polyclète en contrapposto. Le contrapposto ou hanchement désigne dans les arts visuels une attitude du corps humain où l une des deux jambes porte le poids du corps, l autre étant laissée libre et légèrement fléchie. Dans la …   Wikipédia en Français

  • contrapposto — /kohn treuh pos toh/, n., pl. contrappostos. Fine Arts. a representation of the human body in which the forms are organized on a varying or curving axis to provide an asymmetrical balance to the figure. [1900 05; < It < L contrapositus, ptp. of… …   Universalium

  • Contrapposto —    The posing of figures in sculpture and painting that imitates the natural human stance. When the human body stands in a relaxed pose, one leg bears its weight (the engaged leg) while the other remains free. In this position, the hips and… …   Dictionary of Renaissance art

  • Contrapposto — Hermes por Praxíteles. Contrapposto o chiasmo es un término italiano que designa la oposición armónica de las distintas partes del cuerpo de la figura humana, lo que proporciona cierto movimiento y contribuye a romper la ley de la frontalidad. Se …   Wikipedia Español

  • contrapposto — con·trap·pó·sto p.pass., agg., s.m. 1. p.pass. → contrapporre, contrapporsi 2a. agg. CO opposto, antitetico: avere personalità contrapposte Sinonimi: antitetico, contrario. 2b. s.m. BU ciò che si contrappone: fare, servire da contrapposto a qcn.… …   Dizionario italiano

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