1. THE FIGURE
A brief look at representing The Figure, or the
human form, in art history.

2. PREHISTORY
The figure has been the subject of artists for
as long as we know.
 From prehistory, we can see
representations of the figure in both twodimensional and three-dimensional artwork.
 The artwork also gives us a glimpse into the
lives of people in that time period.


3. PREHISTORIC FIGURE
Notice the
disproportional
dimensions.
 What is emphasized
in Venus of
Willendorf
 Figures are reduced
to simple
representations.
 Movement of figures
is poorly
represented.
Lascaux cave paintings, 14,000 B.C.E.

Venus of Willendorf, Found in
village in lower Australia, 4 inches,
24,000 B.C.E – 22,000 B.C.E.

4. ANCIENT EGYPTIAN FIGURE
Produced from 5000
BCE to 1000BCE
 Notice how the
figure is more
Representational,
or realistic, than the
prehistoric figure.
 Notice the chest, or
the heart, is always
facing forward.


5. ANCIENT GREEK FIGURE

Notice change from
Stylized, or painted
with a style rather
than realistic, the
images on the early
Greek pot are
compared to the
highly
representational
sculptures.
Greek Pottery 6th - 4th Century BCE yron, Discobolus, 460 BCE Dying Gaul, circa 230 BCE
M

6. BYZANTINE FIGURE
Stylized figure.
 Notice elongated
fingers.
 Baby represented
as small person.
 What media do you
think was made to
create these?

Hagia Sophia in Constantinople 494 CE Cenni Di Pepo, Santa Trinita Madonna, 1240

7. RENAISSANCE FIGURE
First time in two
dimensional work
we see figure
represented highly
realistically.
 What do you think
took so long?
 Figures have
correct proportions.

Raphael, Detail: Apollo on Mount Parnassus,
Donatello, Zuccone, Circa 1423