# Polykleitos

> fifth century BCE Greek sculptor

**Wikidata**: [Q193422](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q193422)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polykleitos)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/polykleitos

## Summary
Polykleitos (also known as Polyclitus) was a fifth-century BCE Greek sculptor renowned for his contributions to classical sculpture. He is best known for his works *Doryphoros* (Spear-Bearer) and *Diadumenos* (Diadem-Bearer), which exemplify the idealized human form and influenced the development of classical Greek art.

## Biography
- **Born**: c. 490 BCE (exact location unknown)
- **Nationality**: Ancient Greek
- **Known for**: Sculpting iconic works such as *Doryphoros* and *Diadumenos*, which embodied the principles of harmony and proportion in human representation.
- **Field(s)**: Sculpture

## Contributions
Polykleitos created several influential sculptures that became foundational to classical Greek art:
- **Doryphoros (Spear-Bearer)**: A bronze statue created around 450 BCE, representing an idealized male warrior. Though the original is lost, Roman marble copies survive, showcasing his mastery of anatomical precision and balance.
- **Diadumenos (Diadem-Bearer)**: A bronze sculpture from around 430 BCE, depicting a young athlete tying a victory ribbon around his head. Like *Doryphoros*, it was widely copied in antiquity.
- **Discophoros (Discus-Bearer)**: An earlier work from around 460 BCE, illustrating a discus thrower in a dynamic pose, further demonstrating his exploration of human movement and form.

## FAQs
**What is Polykleitos most famous for?**
Polykleitos is most famous for his sculptures *Doryphoros* and *Diadumenos*, which became canonical examples of classical Greek sculpture, embodying ideals of proportion, symmetry, and naturalism.

**When did Polykleitos live?**
He lived during the fifth century BCE, approximately from 490 BCE to 420 BCE, placing him among the most influential artists of the High Classical period in ancient Greece.

**What themes did Polykleitos explore in his work?**
His sculptures primarily focused on the idealized human form, emphasizing balance, harmony, and anatomical accuracy, often depicting athletes or warriors in poised, dynamic stances.

## Why They Matter
Polykleitos revolutionized Greek sculpture by establishing a mathematical approach to proportion, known as the *Canon*, which influenced generations of artists. His works set a standard for representing the human body with lifelike realism and aesthetic perfection, shaping the trajectory of Western art. Without his contributions, the development of classical and later European sculpture might have lacked its foundational principles of harmony and idealism.

## Notable For
- Creating *Doryphoros*, one of the most replicated sculptures in antiquity.
- Developing the *Canon*, a treatise on the mathematical proportions of the human body.
- Pioneering the use of contrapposto (weight shift) in sculpture, enhancing naturalism.
- Influencing later artists, including Roman sculptors who produced numerous copies of his works.

## Body
### Early Life and Background
Polykleitos was born around 490 BCE in ancient Greece, though the exact location remains unclear. He emerged during a period of artistic innovation, contributing to the High Classical era of Greek sculpture.

### Career and Artistic Style
Polykleitos specialized in bronze sculpture, focusing on the human form with an emphasis on anatomical precision and idealized beauty. His works were celebrated for their balance and symmetry, reflecting his belief in the mathematical harmony of the body.

### Major Works
- **Doryphoros (Spear-Bearer, c. 450 BCE)**: This statue exemplified his *Canon*, a system of proportions that became a benchmark for classical sculpture. The original bronze is lost, but Roman marble copies preserve its legacy.
- **Diadumenos (Diadem-Bearer, c. 430 BCE)**: Another iconic work, depicting a youthful athlete in a moment of triumph, showcasing his skill in capturing movement and grace.
- **Discophoros (Discus-Bearer, c. 460 BCE)**: An early example of his exploration of dynamic poses, influencing later depictions of athletes in art.

### Influence and Legacy
Polykleitos’s *Canon* and sculptures became foundational references for artists throughout antiquity and beyond. His emphasis on proportion and naturalism shaped the development of classical Greek art and influenced Roman and Renaissance sculptors. The widespread copying of his works in Roman times attests to his enduring impact.

### Later Recognition
Though much of his original work is lost, Polykleitos’s reputation persists through surviving copies and historical accounts. His name remains synonymous with the pinnacle of classical Greek sculpture, and his principles continue to be studied in art history.

## References

1. Integrated Authority File
2. general catalog of BnF
3. BnF authorities
4. CiNii Research
5. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
6. Description of Greece
7. Athenodoros 25 (Pauly-Wissowa)
8. Virtual International Authority File
9. IdRef
10. CERL Thesaurus
11. lives of the most excellent painters,sculptors,and architects
12. Treccani's Enciclopedia on line
13. Enciclopedia Treccani
14. [Source](https://collections.carlos.emory.edu/people/10535/)
15. [Bibliography of the History of the Czech Lands](https://biblio.hiu.cas.cz/records/4db53fe5-03b1-4d4d-899e-f62e005050d4)