Polycletus (5th century BC) is a famous ancient Greek sculptor and theorist of visual arts of the 5th century BC. Polycletus is considered one of the greatest sculptors of classical antiquity, his work for many millennia has been a source of inspiration for artists of subsequent historical eras. Unfortunately, most of the facts from the biography of the genius master, like all his original sculptures, are forever lost for posterity. We can appreciate the greatness of the ancient genius only by skilful Roman copies made several centuries later.

Polycletus was a prominent representative of the sculptural art of Greece during the high classics (second half of the 5th century BC). In his works, he sought to display the harmony of a motionless human body, filled with the breath of life. Most of the master’s works are sculptural images of a nude male.

Biography of Polycletus

Polycletus, according to most historians, was born at the beginning of the 5th century BC in the city of Argos, not far from Athens. Other sources claim that the ancient Greek city of Sikion was the birthplace of the master. No reliable information about his parents has survived to this day.

Polykleitos’ teacher was most likely the head of the Argos school of art, Ageládas, although many modern historians dispute this point of view. The period of active creativity of the master fell on 460-420 BC. This dating has been established by scientists from ancient written records and preserved inscriptions on Roman copies of the author’s sculptures.

Polycletus made the vast majority of his works from Argos bronze. Although he was not the discoverer of the technology of casting statues from metal, but according to the ancient Roman writer Pliny (Plinius), it was Polycletus who brought it to perfection. The heroes of the master’s works were most often Olympic athletes, heroes of myths and anthropomorphic Greek deities. The outstanding artist was the founder of the first specialized sculptural school in Greece, which existed for over 100 years. Ancient Roman historians in their writings mention more than 20 names of students, although none of them surpassed the teacher in fame and skill.

A probable relative of the sculptor is the architect of the 4th century BC – Polycletus the Younger, according to many historians he is the grandson of the great master. There is no reliable information about the date and place of the sculptor’s death today.

The greatest merit of Polycletus in the field of art is recognized by most experts for the invention of the counterpost – a special technique for depicting the figure of a motionless person, in which the weight of the hero’s body is transferred to one supporting leg. The counterpost helps to skillfully demonstrate to the audience both the tension of a motionless figure and the harmony of the body.

Another outstanding achievement of Polycletus is considered the development of classical proportions of proportions of parts of the human body when creating sculptural works. The ancient Greek thinker in a theoretical essay called “Canon” described in detail the ideal values ​​of such proportions in accordance with the principles of harmony and symmetry. For many centuries, his ideas were used first by Greek and then by Roman artists.

The most famous works

Polycletus The original works of the great master were lost for posterity in ancient times. But, fortunately, the artists of Ancient Rome knew how to make skilful marble copies of Greek bronze statues. It is thanks to their efforts that our contemporaries have the opportunity to see live the most famous works of Polycletus:

1. “Discophor” is one of the master’s early sculptures, the only one that has come down to us, in which the hero of the work leans on two legs. Nevertheless, art critics are sure that it was Polycletus who created this masterpiece.
2. “Pan” is a unique sculpture in which the shepherd’s deity is depicted in a human form, and not with goat’s legs.
3. “Diadumen” – a sculpture of an athlete crowning himself with the armband of the winner of the Olympic Games. In total, more than 40 copies of this work are known, created by the master at a later stage of his work.
4. “Dorifor” or “Spear-bearer” is an image of the generalized ideal of a male nude figure, which is recognized by historians as the first example of the use of counterpost in art. More than 30 copies made by Roman sculptors have survived to this day.

Polycletus is a great sculptor of the heyday of high classicism of ancient Greek art. Even copies of his masterpieces amaze the viewer with their harmony and magnificent aesthetics of forms. Therefore, he will forever remain in the memory of descendants as a brilliant master of depicting the beauty of the human body.