The Kritios Boy and the Dying Gaul are remarkable monuments of ancient sculptures. Although the significance of both statues is excellent, they are very different works of art. The purpose of this essay is to compare the two sculptures and analyze their similarities and differences.
First of all, it is worth noting that the sculptures were made at different intervals and in different states. Kritios Boy represents the early classical period of ancient Greek sculpture and was created around 480 BC (“Youth statue,” n.d.). On the other hand, the Dying Gaul was created several centuries later in the ancient Roman Empire (“National Gallery of Art,” 2013). Such a difference in the time interval is strongly reflected in the sculptures’ quality. While Kritios Boy is just a standing figure, the Dying Gaul is compositionally much more complex. However, this does not diminish the significance of the first work. According to history, this statue is the first known classical ancient work of art in which the principle of contrapposto is used – the transfer of weight to one of the legs. In addition, it should be noted that the statue’s creator made it with a great deal of realism, flawlessly emphasizing all the features of the joint work of various parts of the body.
The Dying Gaul was created at a time when sculptures of this quality were no longer something new. However, the symbolism contained in this work is closely related to the story of the victory over the Gauls. In addition, this sculpture is beautiful from a visual and compositional perspective, significantly differing from the same Kritios Boy in its complexity due to the honed skills of the sculptors. Among the reasons why this statue has been copied many times and used as a source of inspiration is the incredible detailing of both the body and the face that reflects the emotions.
Thus, both statues are works of art from different eras, at different levels, but with approximately the same historical significance and value. Kritios Boy is in some way a breakthrough work of art, in which many innovative solutions have been masterfully implemented. Although this statue is much simpler from a visual point of view than subsequent works, it symbolizes the transition to a new style. The Dying Gaul demonstrates the perfectly preserved mastery of composition, combined with the historical value that makes this work so popular.
References
National Gallery of Art, Roma Capitale, and the Embassy of Italy in Washington, DC present the Dying Gaul: An ancient roman masterpiece from the Capitoline Museum, Rome. (2013). National Gallery of Art. Web.
Youth statue. The “Kritios Boy.“ (n.d.). Acropolis Museum. Web.