Marble sculpting is my favorite art medium. The Greeks considered the toned male body nude to reflect the highest form of beauty, therefore most sculptures of Gods and heroes are nude. Marble sculptures appeared in the early 6th century BCE with the first life-size statues. Marble is a wonderful medium for rendering idealized perfection of the human body. Faces were more expressive, and the draping of cloth clinging to the shapes of the body with what is called the wet–look or wind-blown. The figures became sensuous and life-like in appearance as if expressing a particular mood.
Statue of Hercules (Lansdowne Herakles), Unknown, about 125, From the collection of: The J. Paul Getty Museum
Hercules is holding the skin of a Nemean lion and a club. Hercules was the son of Zeus and Alcmene, a mortal woman. Hercules was a Greek hero with supernatural strength. In this statue of Hercules, he is in a relaxed, balanced stance giving the figure a casual look. The form of his body shows proportionately the strong musculature of the man. The details of the lion with the curly mane are depicted well. The texture of this marble is smooth but not polished.
Thetis, William Henry Rinehart, c. 1861, From the collection of: The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston
Thetis was a minor goddess, a Nereid, who dwells in the sea. She was the goddess of the sea and the leader of the fifty Nereides. She had the gift of prophecy and to change her shape at will. This sculpture of Thetis depicts elegance and grace which defines the classical style.The cloth that flows along the contours of her body gives the statue a feel of feminity. She has a shy, sensual appearance in her face. The texture is smooth and detailed realistically in her fingers, facial features, hair, and folds of the draped cloth.
Young Dionysus with a Nymph, Giovanni Maria Benzoni, 1866, From the collection of: The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston
Dionysus was the son of Zeus and Semele, a mortal mother. Zeus had arranged for Dionysus's protection and gave him to the mountain nymphs to be raised. This sculpture is very realistic and life-like. The proportions and delicate features of the faces, fingers, feet, and grapes are wonderful. The marble texture is smooth and polished. The Nymph's facial expression is loving and maternal. Dionysus's facial expression is curious and engaged with the want of the grapes.
Venus, Ernst Matthäi, 1816 - 1820, From the collection of: The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston
This statue of Venus is life-sized, with an overall proportionate body. The tree trunk helps to balance the composition, also giving it stability from falling over. Venus is the goddess of love, sex, beauty, and fertility. Venus appears shy. Her fingers are delicately sculpted and she is holding the Paris' apple in her right hand.Everything about this sculpture is realistic in form. The curvature of her spine, her splayed toes, dimpled buttocks, knees, and elbows. The texture of this marble is smooth, her wavy hair is very detailed with the braids and swirls of hair.
Apollo was the son of Zeus and Leto. He was the god of music, healing, light, and truth. This sculpture is half life-sized. Apollo is crowning himself with a laurel wreath. The composition of this sculpture is a relaxed, balanced pose. The features that stand out are that Apollo has a broad, muscular chest. The tree stump and folds in the garment make the composition complete. The mood of his facial features depicts a relaxed and somewhat youthful innocence. The details are realistic and proportional. The texture of this marble sculpture are smooth and polished.
Dionysos or Bacchus, 50/350, From the collection of: Rijksmuseum van Oudheden
Dionysus was the god of fertility, wine, inebriation, and ecstasy. He was also considered a patron of the arts. He created wine and spread the art of viticulture. In this sculpture, Dionysus is leaning on a satyr. Satyrs are the regular attendants of Dionysus. The details in this sculpture are exquisite. Their hair, fingers, the folds of the clothing draped, and the expressions on their faces. The Satyr is looking at the grapes longingly, Dionysus's face has an expression of contentment. The whole sculpture is in proportion. The texture of marble gives the smooth life-like qualities as if they could walk off of the base.
Hebe sleeping, Albert-Ernest Carrier-Belleuse, 1869, From the collection of: Musée d’Orsay, Paris
Hebe was the Goddess of eternal youth and cupbearer to the gods, offering a drink. Hebe is the daughter of Jupiter and Juno. Hebe is typically seen with her father in the disguise as an eagle, often offering a cup to him. In this sculpture, Hebe is sleeping under the protection of her father. She has a slender youthful body. This sculpture is very articulated from the feathers on the eagle to the feminine, delicate features of Hebe's proportionate body, including the draping of her clothing, clinging to the contours of her body. The texture of this marble sculpture is smooth and polished which gives a realistic masterpiece.
Perseus slaying Medusa, Laurent Marqueste, 1876/1903, From the collection of: Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek
Perseus is the son of Danaë and Zeus. Perseus was a Greek Hero. In this sculpture, he is grabbing Medusa's snake infested hair to avoid her fossilizing gaze. This superb and proportionate craft in this sculpture brings it to life. The details in the form of the muscles, faces, toes, and fingers are so realistic. Medusa's expression is fear, her face frozen in a scream. The fine details of her open mouth with perfect teeth and a tongue curled upward. The texture of this marble sculpture is smooth.
Thor Resting with his Hammer, Hermann Ernst Freund, 1828-1829, From the collection of: SMK - Statens Museum for Kunst
Thor was the storm-weather god of sky and thunder. He was also a fertility god. This sculpture in marble has a texture of both rough and smooth surfaces. The cloth Thor is resting upon has a rough texture. His musculature perfection is the most predominate feature of this sculpture. His toes are realistically life-like along with his hands, face, beard, and the piece of bread he is holding. His facial expression is relaxed and restful.
Minerva was the goddess of wisdom and sponsor of arts, trade, and strategy. The way the drapery falls around her body and shield gives the sculpture a special feel of elegance. Her head is turning a different direction to her body. The delicate intricacies crafted into her clothing, hair, and feminine fingers and facial expression. She looks although she is fatigued, but ready to battle. The texture is a smooth marble that is polished.
Credits: All media
This user gallery has been created by an independent third party and may not represent the views of the institutions whose collections include the featured works or of Google Arts & Culture.
