That Archaic Smile

 THAT ARCHAIC SMILE 

doesnt appear only on freestanding statues.

This youth's image is carved onto the side of a memorial stele.

 Scroll down for further close-ups and zoom in for a view of the small girl who accompanies him.

He seems to be holding a flower and definitely is carrying a small container perhaps of oil slung from one wrist.

Notice how the rough strokes of carving still visible in the background bring further emphasis to the polished smoothed facial features?  There does not seem to be any traces of painting though apart from the pupil of the eye and that could simply be texture or grain of the stone? 

I hope you have enjoyed this Archaic Smile series? 

The Smile of a Sphinx

 THE SMILE OF A SPHINX 

#sphinx #archaicsculpture #greeksculpture #archaicgreekart 

Its Not only Maidens and Youths who have THAT smile in Archaic Greek ART.

This statue is the top part of an Archaic Attic Stele (I'll show you the lower part in the next post) and the slender feline proportions and pose of the lower body suggest the  sculptor seems to have seen a cat (then an exotic import) about to bring upwards. Note the distinctive Archaic Smile. The lack of plumage yet detailed carving of the face suggests also the sculptor wanted onlookers looking upwards to notice the smile ? Such elegant refined curves!

The stele was discovered broken into pieces and this is a museum reconstruction.

Next post will include closeups of the youth below.

The Archaic Smile - One

 THE ARCHAIC SMILE - ONE 

If there's one thing that particularly stands out about Archaic Greek Sculptures its the SMILE !

Assyrian sculptures tend to have rulers and courtiers who seem to be almost sneering and with Egyptian sculpture the smile seems to say I a powerful mortal have ascended to become a god but human or mortal the first large Hellenic statues SMILE.

This first example is from Cyprus and while her head-dress and choker style necklace show the influence of the Near art probably Phoenician art she has that look that distinct upturn of the lips that shows both confidence and happiness.

My first theme this month will be the archaic smile. Join and follow me as I seek for more images to share with you.