People > Kresilas

Kresilas

Background

Kresilas (also spelled Cresilas or Kresilas of Cydonia) was a renowned Greek sculptor from the 5th century BCE. He was born in Cydonia, a city on the island of Crete. Kresilas is best known for his contributions to the classical style of Greek sculpture, particularly his realistic and idealized portrayals of notable individuals.

Key Contributions and Works:

1. Sculpture of Pericles:

   • Bust of Pericles: One of Kresilas's most famous works is his idealized portrait of the Athenian statesman Pericles. This sculpture is significant because it presents Pericles with a serene and noble demeanor, embodying the classical ideals of beauty and virtue. The bust of Pericles is characterized by its lifelike quality and attention to detail, particularly in the rendering of facial features.
   • Roman Copies: While the original sculpture of Pericles has not survived, several Roman copies exist, which have helped to preserve Kresilas's artistic legacy. These copies reflect the high esteem in which Kresilas's work was held in antiquity.

2. Warrior Sculpture:

   • Wounded Amazon: Kresilas is also credited with creating a sculpture of a wounded Amazon, which was part of a competition held at the Temple of Artemis in Ephesus. This work depicted a warrior woman with a calm and composed expression, even in the face of injury. The sculpture exemplified the classical style's focus on idealized human forms and emotional restraint.

3. Artistic Style:

   • Classical Idealism: Kresilas's works are noted for their idealized yet realistic portrayal of human figures. He sought to capture both the physical perfection and the noble character of his subjects, adhering to the classical Greek ideals of harmony, balance, and proportion.
   • Naturalism: Despite the idealized elements, Kresilas's sculptures exhibit a high degree of naturalism, with detailed anatomical features and lifelike expressions that convey a sense of individuality and presence.

Legacy:

Kresilas was a contemporary of other great sculptors like Phidias, Myron, and Polykleitos, and he contributed significantly to the development of classical Greek sculpture. His works influenced later artists and continued to be admired for their blend of idealism and realism. The surviving Roman copies of his sculptures attest to the lasting impact of his artistic achievements.

Kresilas's ability to portray his subjects with both dignity and lifelike accuracy helped set a standard for portrait sculpture in the classical era. His works remain important examples of the artistic excellence and philosophical ideals that characterized ancient Greek art.

Sources

Furtwängler, Adolf, Masterpieces of Greek Sculpture: A Series of Essays on the History of Art, Volume 2, Charles Scribner's Sons, 1895.

Hurwit, Jeffrey M., Artists and Signatures in Ancient Greece, Cambridge University Press, 2015. ISBN 9781316352519.

Metropolitan Museum of Art (New York, N.Y.), Philippe De Montebello, The Metropolitan Museum of Art Guide, Metropolitan Museum of Art, 1994. ISBN 9780870997105.

Pliny. Natural History, Volume IX: Books 33-35. Translated by H. Rackham. Loeb Classical Library 394. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 1952.

Politt, J. J., The Art of Ancient Greece: Sources and Documents, Cambridge University Press, 1990. ISBN 9780521273664.

Der Neue Pauly Vol. 6 (in German). 1999. ISBN 3-476-01476-2.

Pietro Orlandini (1961). "Kresilas". Enciclopedia dell'arte antica classica e orientale (in Italian). 4. Roma: Istituto della enciclopedia italiana.

Le Muse (in Italian). 3. Novara: De Agostini. 1965.

Antonio (1987). Arte greca : Dall'età classica all'età ellenistica (in Italian). Milano: Il saggiatore.