Knidian Aphrodite
Periodical change occurred between the Greek Archaic and Classical Periods which lead to distinguishing features that are showcased in sculptures while representing Greek values. Richard T. Neer, a Professor of Art History at the University of Chicago, whose research interests include archelogy and Classical Greek art, emphasizes posture, body composition, medium and psychosomatic changes of the statues between the Archaic and Classical Period. In his book, The Emergence of Classical Style in Greek Sculpture, Neer explains that the appearance of Greek statue changes from a rigid and stationary pose with unrealistic body definition to natural movements and pose to portray the human body realistically (Neer 71). Additionally, Shift to a serious
…show more content…
An excellent example of a marble Classical statue would be the Knidian Aphrodite – however, the original statue from the fourth-century BCE was not persevered well (Lee 103). Mireille M Lee, an Assistant Professor at Vanderbilt University whose research interests include Greek art and archaeology are reflected in her article, Other "Ways of Seeing": Female Viewers of the Knidian Aphrodite, where she discussing the physical appearance of Aphrodite and various interpretations of its meaning. Despite fluctuating opinions on the intended spectators of the statue, Lee describes: “an authoritative sexual being, a woman in control of both her own sexuality and the men under her sway.” (Lee 107). Research suggests that Aphrodite left both genders in wonder, but for some dissimilar reasons – males left in admiration of Aphrodite’s controversial licentiousness (Lee 103), whereas, Greek females worshiped Aphanite as an empowering figure who’s not ashamed of her femininity (Lee 107). The Knidia statue showcases Aphrodite holding a piece of clothing in one hand while covering her pubic area with the other – a suggestion of the sexual influence woman could possess– her pose is meant to attract attention (Lee 103). Consequently, she is naturally portrayed in a manner that the Goddess of Love would possibly be – bathing was done after sexual interactions and considered to increase voluptuousness by the Greeks (Lee
An excellent example of a marble Classical statue would be the Knidian Aphrodite – however, the original statue from the fourth-century BCE was not persevered well (Lee 103). Mireille M Lee, an Assistant Professor at Vanderbilt University whose research interests include Greek art and archaeology are reflected in her article, Other "Ways of Seeing": Female Viewers of the Knidian Aphrodite, where she discussing the physical appearance of Aphrodite and various interpretations of its meaning. Despite fluctuating opinions on the intended spectators of the statue, Lee describes: “an authoritative sexual being, a woman in control of both her own sexuality and the men under her sway.” (Lee 107). Research suggests that Aphrodite left both genders in wonder, but for some dissimilar reasons – males left in admiration of Aphrodite’s controversial licentiousness (Lee 103), whereas, Greek females worshiped Aphanite as an empowering figure who’s not ashamed of her femininity (Lee 107). The Knidia statue showcases Aphrodite holding a piece of clothing in one hand while covering her pubic area with the other – a suggestion of the sexual influence woman could possess– her pose is meant to attract attention (Lee 103). Consequently, she is naturally portrayed in a manner that the Goddess of Love would possibly be – bathing was done after sexual interactions and considered to increase voluptuousness by the Greeks (Lee