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HUMAN FIGUREIN ART HISTORY
The figure in art changes as human needs and artistic expression
progressed.
Early figure images served only communication and religious
purposes. Later, portraits captured images of the living. After the
invention of thecamera, figure art became highly
creative and expressive.
Throughout history, figures are represented as drawings, paintings,
and sculpture.
Sculpture achieved a realistic appearance before drawings and
paintings of figures. However, drawing and painting used modern
art styles to illustrate the figure before sculpture.
PREHISTORIC FIGURES
• Line drawings of figures, similar to “stick figures.”
• Told stories and communicated before written language.
PRE-COLUMBIAN FIGURES
• Figures were mostly stylized sculptures.
• Represented gods and other deities for worship and ceremonies.
Figure Drawings on a Codex
ANCIENT EGYPTIAN FIGURES
• Figure drawings were flat looking, with heads and feet in profile, while the body faced forward.
• Most important figures were shown larger than others.
Profile head
Forward facing torso
Profile legs & feet
ANCIENT GREEK AND ROMAN FIGURES
• Figures were often used in storytelling, especially mythology.
• Drawings were still flat looking, but sculptures were very realistic.
• Figure sculptures showed the classical pose and realistic looking drapery.
Storytelling on Ceramic Vases & Urns
Figures from
Mythology
Very realistic figure sculpture
Eyes were blank or hollow “Windows to the Soul”
“Contrapposto” Pose
Realistic looking drapery
MIDDLE AGES FIGURES
• Figures were beginning to develop a little more in form.
• Used in picturing religious and medieval scenes.
Lack of Perspective
Old looking children
Mosaics & Tapestries
Illuminated Manuscripts
RENAISSANCE FIGURES
• With the discovery of perspective, figures had more realistic form.
• Figures continued in religious depictions, but also became popular as portraits of the clergy and wealthy patrons.
• Proportions were written down by Da Vinci
Vitruvian Man
Human figure proportions create a perfect circle
Using the Head as measurement
Albert VII, Archduke of Austriaand Marie de Medici
Children became younger looking
18TH CENTURY FIGURES
• Portraiture continued to be popular, sometimes including land, house, pet, or other prized possession.
• Figure painting also provided entertainment or delivered a message.
“Robert Andrews and His Wife” by Thomas Gainsborough
Children now looked
like their appropriate young age
19TH CENTURY FIGURES
• The invention of the camera had a profound effect on figures in art, especially portraiture.
• Artists began painting figures in everyday life situations.
• Figure painting and sculpture changed from realistic to more impressionistic styles.
“The Doves” by Richard MacDonald
20TH CENTURY FIGURES
• Monuments were made to immortalize prominent figures in history.
• A wide variety of art styles create figures that are abstract, expressionistic, or realistic.
• Expensive portraits are usually only painted because of prestige.
“Statue of Liberty” by Frederic Bartholdi
“Lincoln Memorial” by Daniel Chester French
“Iwo Jima” Memorial by Felix de Weldon
Student ___________________________________ Period_____Points Possible 200pts
Figure Drawing Rubric
2. The figure drawing has value= 50pts
3. Drawing is turned in with photograph used for composition= 25pts
4. Skeleton drawing and costume is neatly finished= 25pts
1. Student used gesture sketch to plan out proportions = 100pts
180pts = A160pts = B 140pts = C120pt = D0pts = F
Total Points Earned= _____
Letter Grade = _____
Work assessed by: Name ______________________ Room _______ Date ____________
Rubric