Analysis of sculptures: "The Discus Thrower", “Laocoon and His Two Sons” and "David"

"The Discus Thrower " by Myron

Shapes 

The first geometric shape is the spherical shape of the discus which is realized by the hemispherical lines all around it. The second shape is the circle on which the sculpture stands which has smooth cylindrical curves around it. 

Material 

The material used to make the sculpture was the Bronze.

Relationship to Humanism 

Greeks had a belief in humanism where humanity and human beings were the centers of everything unlike other religions like Christianity which placed God at the center of everything. This was the first principle in their mythology and was further supported by two other items (Freeman, 2015). Therefore, I the adherence to this principle the artist of the sculpture wanted to demonstrate the superiority of human beings

The second principle talks about the beauty of humanity as being heroic like the man on the sculpture must have been a hero to have a statue of him created. His participation in the game shows a value of competitiveness in events like the throwing of discus.

The third principle concerns the human body which was regarded as being beautiful and athletic like the man in the sculpture. He looks fit with abs and could be that the nudeness was meant to demonstrate even more beauty. Having such an athletic body was even considered Godly and divine. The strength displayed by the athletics also portrayed the military power and potential of the man.

“ Laocoon and His Two Sons” by Hagesandrus, Polydorus and Athenodorus 

Repetition 

Repetition can be seen in the way both the father and the elder son are using their hands to hold and restrain the snake away from their bodies. The father catches it by the neck region restraining it from getting its head to his groin and waist area and seems to be struggling with how it has entangled him. The elder son is also using his left hand to get rid of the snake from his foot.

Balance 

The sculpture has asymmetric balance because when one positions visual weight at the center of it, there two sides shall not be similar but there shall still be a state of equilibrium. Both the father and the smaller son are almost at the edge of the sculpture while the elder son is at the other edge. The father and the younger son are even standing on a raised podium while the other son is holding some few inches below them.

When distributing the sculpture visually, the left may protrude further than the right side, but the state of balance is likely to be achieved through the postures of the father and the elder son. The father is leaning towards the younger son’s side with almost all his body perhaps to add some weight. The elder son is pulling towards the opposite direction of the father to enhance the creation of the balanced state.

Focal Point 

The focal point is the pose of the father. He stretches his body as if in anguish or pain with his right arm bend above the shoulder and not the whole part of it is visible. His reaction also seems to attract the attention of the elder son who is looking up to him as he tries to get the coiled snake from his leg. The father’s pose extends to the position of his left hand holding the snake almost at its open mouth which is very close in contact with his waist. It could be that it had spat on him or was already biting him.

Personal Interpretation 

According to me, the sculpture could be a symbol of the strong family bonds between fathers and their son. The act of the father holding the snake by the neck while it opened its mouth nearing his waist shows the sacrifices that a father can make for the for his family even in times of danger. The elder son seems to be looking up to his father probably to show how much he depended on him for protection and safety. His initiative to remove the snake from his leg also shows some personal responsibility that a boy gets as he grows as he learns to solve his mysteries unlike the younger son who entirely clung to his father and from his posture, he may be suffering from the entanglement by the snake. Seeing the snake with its mouth open in such proximity to the father was both frightening and shocking that I was left agape at first.

"David” by Michelangelo 

Personal Perception 

I think the sculpture was meant to show how men maintained their calmness and humility, especially when making critical decisions in life. In the statue, David is holding a stone on his right hand and the sling on his right side a moment immediately before hitting Goliath. In that state, it is difficult to tell if he was going to fight such a gigantic man like Goliath. Even though he seems calm, he is presented to be anxious from his pose with one leg in front of the other and the other one holding all the body’s weight as if he was in motion. It must have been the decision-making point on whether to engage in the battle or not. Michelangelo might have drifted from the usual presentation of David as a hero and may have wanted to showcase the behavior of heroes’ right before their moment of shinning.

Reference

Freeman, C. (2015). Humanism in the Classical World.  The Wiley Blackwell Handbook of Humanism , 119-132.