The Greek body

Abstract

"The Greek Body explores the central role of the human form in ancient Greek art and culture through the British Museum's outstanding collection of marble, bronze and terracotta sculptures. Spanning more than six centuries of artistic production, the book traces the development of Greek figural art from the abstract simplicity of prehistoric Cycladic figurines to the realism and individuality of the Hellenistic period. Featuring stunning photography and detailed close-up views, the volume highlights the remarkable skill with which Greek artists transformed stone, metal and clay into lifelike representations of the human body. Alongside the idealised male and female nude for which Greek art is renowned, the book examines evolving artistic interest in age, ethnicity and character. The gods and heroes of Greek mythology appear alongside centaurs, sphinxes, satyrs and sirens, revealing how the Greeks used the human form to express ideas about beauty, identity, divinity and the natural world. With more than 100 colour illustrations, The Greek Body offers a fascinating introduction to one of the most enduring achievements of ancient art and its lasting influence on Western visual culture."-- Provided by publisher.