contrapposto

listen to the pronunciation of contrapposto
English - English
The position of a figure whose hips and legs are twisted away from the direction of the head and shoulders
Italian for "placed opposite," contrapposto is a way of representing the body in a fluid, more relaxed manner by balancing body parts around a vertical axis
In sculpture, placing a human figure so that one part (e g , the shoulder) is turned in a direction opposite to another part (e g , the hip and leg)
(Italian for 'counterpoise') A twist or 'S' curve of the human figure caused by placing the weight on one foot and turning the shoulder
An asymmetrical pose in which the one part of the body is counterbalanced by another about the body's central axis Ancient Greek sculptors developed contrapposto by creating figures who stand with their weight on one leg, the movement of the hips to one side being balanced by a counter movement of the torso Contrapposto was revived during the Renaissance and frequently used by Mannerist artist, who developed a greater range of contrapposto poses
> An Italian term describing the graceful posture of a figure with all the weight balanced on one leg In an exaggerated form it is particularly associated with Mannerism (q v )
> An Italian term describing the graceful posture of a figure with all the weight balanced on one leg In an exaggerated form it is particularl