Question

The fourth century BCE (the Late Classical Period) was a time of political upheaval in Greece and had a profound effect on the Greek psyche. Looking at Praxiteles sculpture of Hermes and the Infant Dionysos, what has changed in the approach to Greek sculpture during this era?

Answer 1

Greek sculpture evolves from classicism to a kind of anticipated mannerism, accentuating sensualism, curves, the softness of the skin, the subtlety of facial expression and the flexible and sinuous grace of the posture.

Step-by-step explanation:

Classical Greek Sculpture was long considered the peak of the development of sculptural art in Ancient Greece. It is usually taken as an approximate starting point to describe this classical sculpture in 450 BC. Praxiteles was the most renowned classical attic sculptor of the fourth century BC. With the work of Praxiteles, Greek sculpture evolves from classicism to a kind of anticipated mannerism, accentuating sensualism. His works are characterized by the "grace" and the so-called "Praxitelian curve" consisting of an elegant counterpoint. His "Hermes and the Infant Dionysus" of the Archaeological Museum of Olympia, shows his mastery in the representation of the softness of the skin, the subtlety of facial expression and the flexible and sinuous grace of the posture. This indolent posture, pose of most of his sculptures, with what justified his marked curves of the hips, is one of his unmistakable signs in his works.