Thursday, January 24, 2008

Contrapposto


St. Mark, 1411-15 Donatello - marble figure set in a niche on Orsanmichele, Florence. (Sculpture has since been removed and is in storage.)

Italian word for set against. A term describing the position assumed by the human body when the weight is borne on one leg while the other is relaxed. Contrapposto can suggest that a figure has the potential for movement. (Hart)

No comments: