Learn How to Pronounce Polykleitos (in English!) | YouPronounce.it
How to Pronounce Polykleitos (in English!)
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Meaning and Context
Polykleitos was a preeminent sculptor of the Classical Greek period in the 5th century BCE, renowned for establishing a canon of ideal mathematical proportions for the human form. A contemporary of Phidias, his artistic philosophy was encapsulated in a lost treatise known as the "Canon," which paired theoretical principles with a practical demonstration: his seminal bronze statue, the Doryphoros or Spear Bearer. This iconic work, surviving only in Roman marble copies, exemplified the Classical ideals of contrapposto (balanced asymmetry), symmetria (commensurability of parts), and rhythmos (harmonious composition). Polykleitos's influence extended through Hellenistic sculpture and into the Renaissance, making his approach to ideal proportions a cornerstone of Western art history. His other significant works, like the Diadumenos (Youth Tying a Fillet), further cemented his legacy as a master whose pursuit of perfection defined the High Classical style of ancient Greek art.
Common Mistakes and Alternative Spellings
The standard and correct English transliteration from the Greek is "Polykleitos." A common alternative spelling is "Polyclitus," which is the Latinized version frequently encountered in older art historical texts. Another less common variant is "Polykletos." Frequent misspellings and typos arise from phonetic guesses or confusion with similar terms, such as "Polykletus," "Polykleitus," or "Polikleitos." It is also sometimes mistakenly merged into "Polykleitos'" without the final 's' when intending the possessive. Care should be taken not to confuse him with other Greek artists like "Myron" or "Praxiteles," or to misspell his famous work as "Doryphorus" instead of the standard "Doryphoros."
Example Sentences
Art historians study Roman marble copies to understand the original bronze form of Polykleitos's Doryphoros.
The treatise written by Polykleitos, called the "Canon," established a rigorous system of proportions that influenced generations of sculptors.
In contrast to the divine majesty of Phidias's statues, Polykleitos focused on perfecting the idealized athletic male form.
The Diadumenos is another celebrated work attributed to Polykleitos, showcasing his mastery of balanced posture.
Modern analyses continue to debate the precise mathematical ratios that constituted the Polykleitan canon.
When discussing the evolution of contrapposto, the work of Polykleitos is invariably cited as a foundational example.
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