Early+Classical+Period

Early Classical Period The Early Classical period began in 480 BCE, with the ending of the Archaic Period. A major change in the Early Classical period is the shift from memory images to observation. Before this period, Greek artists were basing most of the artworks off of memories. Now the artists are doing more observing and making some of their artworks more accurate. Even though they did more observing they didn't always construct their artworks exactly as they saw. Another difference between the Early Classical period and its predecessors is that the Archaic "smile" has been done away with. The Early Classical period came to a close in 450 BCE, and the High Classical Period began.

**__Kritios Boy __** The //Kritios Boy// is thought to have been created in 480 BCE. Just by glancing at the statue, one can already spot differences between statues from the Archaic period. The strange Archaic "smile" is gone, and the head is angled slightly. By taking a closer look at the statue, one can tell that there is an indentation in the right hip, meaning that weight is being put on the left leg. Those subtle changes in technique can make a statue, like the //Kritios Boy//, seem more true to a human being. This showing of weight shifting exemplifies the term //contrapposto//, which means to counter balance. It was originally thought to have been created by Kritios, and that is how this statue got its name, //Kritios Boy//. The //Kritios Boy// was taken from the Acropolis in Athens, Greece. This statue is 3' and 10" high and made of marble.

__**Riace Bronzes **__  The //Riace Bronzes// were found by Stefano Mariottini, who was scuba diving in a sea close Riace. The two bronzes are of two Greek warriors, who have been given the names "A" and "B." Again by just taking a short look at the two bronzes, one can notice a few difference from sculptures of past periods. The slight tilt of the head is evident, and the Archaic "smile" is gone as well. When comparing the two statues, one can find a few differences and many similarities. Both of the statues have silver teeth and eyelashes, as well as inlaid eyes. Warrior "B" seems to be more older than Warrior "A." Like the //Kritios Boy// movement and the shifting of weight is shown in both warriors, making them appear more realistic than sculptures from previous periods. Both warriors are thought to be missing shields and spears. The //Riace Bronzes// are another great example of //contrapposto//. The warriors stand a massive 6' 6" high. The //Riace Bronzes// are thought to be casted between the years of 460-450 BCE.  __**Artemision Bronze **__

The //Artemision Bronze//, like the //Riace Warriors//, was found at a shipwreck site. This bronze sculpture was found off the coast of Greece, in the Cape Artemision. Art historians speculate of whom the bronze is of. Zues and Poseidon are usually the two gods that historians believe this bronze sculpture is of. The god is believed to once have had a weapon in its right hand. The art historians speculate that there was either a trident, a weapon of Poseidon, or a thunderbolt, a weapon of Zues, in the right hand at some point in time. The showing of weight shifting is one of the differences between sculptures in past periods. Again the head is tilted and there is no smile on the face of the bronze. It is thought that this sculpture was created between the years 460-450 BCE. The //Artemision Bronze// is 6' 10" high.

**__Other Facts about the Early Classical Period __**

- Bronze was the medium of choice during this period - Polykleitos created a mathematical formula for showing the human form