Themes - Summary 9

Question 1

Definition of portrait

Answer 1

Image of a specific person with individual characteristics; these individual characteristics can be either real or constructed. Constructed means the realistic rendering creates an illusion of a real physiognomical characterization.

Question 2

Early depictions of individuals in sculpture

Answer 2

Images such as Kroisos and Aristodikos from the Archaic period never render individual features of an individual, and remain abstract ideal pictures of certain types or social statuses.

Question 3

Portrait statues as a form of honor

Answer 3

Until Hellenistic, these are rare. Start with original/first group of Tyrannicides. Poets, philosophers, Classical politicians, Hellenistic rulers are those most often honored.

Question 4

Portraits of the same person from different periods

Answer 4

Note that “realistic” portraits should not be confused with photographic renderings of individuals. The Classical and Hellenistic renderings of Homer are quite different and follow the visual languages of their periods, yet can still be considered portraits of the same person. Portraits of Sokrates used to highlight ideals - ugliness pointing towards his nonconventional thinking.

Question 5

Portrayal of the ideal citizen

Answer 5

Portraits used to demonstrate ideal behavior/appearance in front of assembly: self-control, balance, avoidance of wild gestures and clear but loud speech. Sophokles - garment would restrain him from making wild gestures. The role model for the 4th century Athenian citizen. Certain looks like tidiness and ugliness could point to certain traits such as conservativeness and revolutionary attitudes.

Question 6

Conveying meaning through traits of portrait

Answer 6

Sokrates - ugliness as indicative of revolutionary and unconventional attitude.
Plato - realistic and mature image as reflecting his interest in earthly matters
Themistokles - thick neck showing his strength and stubbornness
Perikles - helmet showing his military prowess, his perfect face shows him as the ideal leader and citizen

Question 7

Youthfulness in portraits

Answer 7

This begins with Alexander’s portraits - always show young, beardless, impulsive, dynamic military leader. In opposition to the tradition of portraying mature men with beards. Successors of Alexander showed both youth and maturity via mature but beardless faces and youthfully wild hair. Youth shows military capability and maturity shows capacity for ruling.