Inaccurate Anatomy and the Misleading Muscles of the Greeks

When studying art, one of the biggest inspirations is the human body. The human body is included in all types of subject matter from the Renaissance, to the Art-Nouveau style and even as far back as Ancient Greece. Ancient Greece, in particular, formed various representations of the human body and their representations were used to influence art for centuries to come. However, when looking at the Greek forms of the human body, there appear to be several inaccuracies in regards to Anatomy with two of the most famous being The Discobolus and Doryphoros. 

The Discobolus shows an ideal body, but it is not a natural body or position. There is little fold-over from the skin, and it seems as if the Artist removed some of the ribs and musculature, which was a subtle way to invoke geometry into the body to get the perfect arch of the curved back. His balance is also falsified; it is difficult to place weight on one foot while in a throwing motion. This sculpture was used as inspiration for the Nazi Government when they were hosting the Olympic Games. They used the pose of the Discobolus to promote the idea that the Germans were as great as the Classical Greeks. Even in the imitation of the Discobolus, the athletes photographed could not conform their bodies into the exact position as the Discobolus. The position of the Nazi athlete refers back to the fact that the position of the Discobolus is anatomically incorrect and cannot be achieved by any human regardless of how fit. 

The Greeks also used the idea of Akribeia, which means the accuracy of detail with strict attention to but even manipulation of details to create a “reality effect”. The Greeks knew that sculptures did not look like actual humans. Artists like Polykleitos would use this principle to make anatomically incorrect figures appear as accurate. This inaccuracy is seen in the famous sculpture Doryphoros otherwise known as “The Spear- Bearer”. Polykleitos creates an average between a slim body and a bulky body. Still, in reality, when attempting to gain muscle, a person cannot become bulky in one region and slim in another part. In the figure, you can see how the model has well developed pectoral muscles but lacks in build and musculature in his shoulder area. The Doryphoros presents as aesthetically pleasing, and the eye perceives the body as anatomically correct, but ultimately it is not. 

The Ancient Greeks were a foundation to many of the principles we live by today, including ideas such as Democracy (go Vote!). However, while flawed in their technique to present the human body as accurate, they were able to define the absolute human form as marvellous and succeeded in creating the reverence of humans that we still look upon today.