Marble Statue of a Kouros (Youth)

Ancient Greek This Kouros (youth) dates from around 590-580 BCE and represents the Archaic Greek ideal of male beauty. The life-size marble figure stands rigidly frontal, left foot forward, arms at sides, in a pose derived from Egyptian sculpture. Yet the nudity and attention to anatomy are distinctly Greek.

Kouroi served as grave markers or dedications to gods. This example shows early attempts to render human musculature: the abs are suggested by grooves, the knees by stylized patterns. Later Greek sculpture would achieve greater naturalism, but these Archaic figures have a powerful presence. It stands at the Metropolitan Museum.