Ancient Greek Sculptures Photos

Starting about 500 BCE, Greek sculptors invented the ability to make 3-D works. Up to this time civilizations, such as Egypt, mostly made sculptures by drawing front & side views of the subject on rectangular blocks of stone and then cutting away excess material from front to back & side to side. Such techniques were not lifelike if viewed obliquely. The Greeks were the earliest to create statues which worked when viewed from any angle. When the Romans took over the Greek city states, they made Greek sculptures their own & many Roman sculptures were often copies or extensions of Greek works hundreds of years old. In order show the techniques & contributions of Greek sculptors, this page includes Roman copies of Greek originals. See also page on Roman figures to continue the story.

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Attican, Greek marble funerary statue of woman in red dress at Altes Museum. Berlin, Germany.Archaic Cypriot votive statue of a man at Kunsthistorisches Museum. Vienna, Austria.Spartan, Greek marble relief with Heroes & Worshippers at Altes Museum. Berlin, Germany.Enthroned Deity marble sculpture from Tarentum or Locri at Altes Museum. Berlin, Germany.
Attican, Greek marble funerary statue of woman in red dress (580-560 BCE) (so-called Berlin Goddess) at Altes Museum. Berlin, Germany.Archaic Cypriot votive statue of a man (550-525 BCE) at Kunsthistorisches Museum. Vienna, Austria.Spartan, Greek marble relief with Heroes & Worshippers (540 BCE) at Altes Museum. Berlin, Germany.Enthroned Deity marble sculpture (475-450 BCE) from Tarentum or Locri (Italy) at Altes Museum. Berlin, Germany.
Actor as Papposilenus marble sculpture from Rome at Altes Museum. Berlin, Germany.Roman copy of Greek sculpture of Asclepius with snakes & staff at Kunsthistorisches Museum. Vienna, Austria.Roman sculpture after Greek original of Isis at Kunsthistorisches Museum. Vienna, Austria.Greek terracotta statue of Poet as Orpheus from Taras, South Italy at Getty Museum Villa. Malibu, CA.
Actor as Papposilenus marble sculpture (100 AD after 4thC BCE original) from Rome at Altes Museum. Berlin, Germany.Roman copy of Greek sculpture of Asclepius with snakes & staff (c340 BCE) at Kunsthistorisches Museum. Vienna, Austria.Roman sculpture after Greek original of Isis (2ndC BCE) at Kunsthistorisches Museum. Vienna, Austria.Greek terracotta statue of Poet as Orpheus (350-300 BCE) from Taras, South Italy at Getty Museum Villa. Malibu, CA.
Roman alabaster statuette of Venus from Egypt at Getty Museum Villa. Malibu, CA.Roman marble copy of bronze Greek athlete sculpture at Altes Museum. Berlin, Germany.Greek bronze statue of Victorious Youth at Getty Museum Villa. Malibu, CA.Barberini Faun a drunk satyr of Hellenistic period discovered in 17th C at Glyptothek. Munich, Germany.
Roman alabaster statuette of Venus (100-1 BCE) from Egypt at Getty Museum Villa. Malibu, CA.Roman marble copy of bronze Greek athlete sculpture (original c320 BCE) at Altes Museum. Berlin, Germany.Greek bronze statue of Victorious Youth (300-100 BCE) at Getty Museum Villa. Malibu, CA.Barberini Faun (220 BCE) a drunk satyr of Hellenistic period discovered in 17th C at Glyptothek. Munich, Germany.
Detail of face of Barberini Faun a Greek sculpture move to Rome during Roman empire at Glyptothek. Munich, Germany.Torso of Old Fisherman marble sculpture from Turkeys at Altes Museum. Berlin, Germany.Apollo of Tenea from Corinth grave discovered 1846 at Glyptothek. Munich, Germany.Munich Kouros from Attica grave at Glyptothek. Munich, Germany.
Detail of face of Barberini Faun (220 BCE) a Greek sculpture move to Rome during Roman empire at Glyptothek. Munich, Germany.Torso of Old Fisherman marble sculpture (copy after 200 BCE Hellenistic original) from Turkeys at Altes Museum. Berlin, Germany.Apollo of Tenea (c560-550 BCE) from Corinth grave discovered 1846 at Glyptothek. Munich, Germany.Munich Kouros (c540-530 BCE) from Attica grave at Glyptothek. Munich, Germany.
A silen statue Roman copy of Greek original at Glyptothek. Munich, Germany.Munich king marble statue Roman copy of Greek original at Glyptothek. Munich, Germany.Torso of Diomedes statue Roman copy of Greek original by Cresilas at Glyptothek. Munich, Germany.Eirene, goddess of peace, as mother of prosperity copy of original by sculptor Cephisodotus of Athens at Glyptothek. Munich, Germany.
A silen (elderly satyr) statue (c330 BCE) Roman copy of Greek original at Glyptothek. Munich, Germany.Munich king marble statue (c460 BCE) Roman copy of Greek original at Glyptothek. Munich, Germany.Torso of Diomedes statue (c430 BCE) Roman copy of Greek original by Cresilas at Glyptothek. Munich, Germany.Eirene, goddess of peace, as mother of prosperity (Ploutos) (c370 BCE) copy of original by sculptor Cephisodotus of Athens at Glyptothek. Munich, Germany.
Roman copy of statue of leaning satyr original by Praxiteles at Glyptothek. Munich, Germany.Roman copy of statue of leaning satyr original by Praxiteles at Glyptothek. Munich, Germany.Fatherly silen with young Dionysus Roman copy of original by sculptor Lysippus at Glyptothek. Munich, Germany.Temple of Aphaia on Aegina pediment sculptures at Glyptothek. Munich, Germany.
Roman copy of statue of leaning satyr (c330 BCE) original by Praxiteles at Glyptothek. Munich, Germany.Roman copy of statue of leaning satyr (c330 BCE) original by Praxiteles at Glyptothek. Munich, Germany.Fatherly silen with young Dionysus (c310 BCE) Roman copy of original by sculptor Lysippus at Glyptothek. Munich, Germany.Temple of Aphaia on Aegina pediment sculptures (c510 BCE - discovered 1811) at Glyptothek. Munich, Germany.
Central figure from Temple of Aphaia on Aegina pediment sculptures at Glyptothek. Munich, Germany.Apollo Barberini god of arts colossal statue Roman copy of Greek original from Tusculum at Glyptothek. Munich, Germany.Artemis Braschi goddess of hunt with fawn statue Roman copy of Greek original at Glyptothek. Munich, Germany.Boy with Goose statue Roman copy of Greek bronze original at Glyptothek. Munich, Germany.
Central figure from Temple of Aphaia on Aegina pediment sculptures (c510 BCE - discovered 1811) at Glyptothek. Munich, Germany.Apollo Barberini god of arts colossal statue (c420 BCE) Roman copy of Greek original from Tusculum at Glyptothek. Munich, Germany.Artemis Braschi goddess of hunt with fawn statue (c50 CE) Roman copy of Greek original at Glyptothek. Munich, Germany.Boy with Goose statue (c220 BCE) Roman copy of Greek bronze original at Glyptothek. Munich, Germany.
Marble statue of Athena at Louvre Museum. Paris, France.Marble statue of Athena at Louvre Museum. Paris, France.Marble statue of Zeus, god of heaven & Olympus at Louvre Museum. Paris, France.Marble statue of Apollo at Louvre Museum. Paris, France.
Marble statue of Athena (aka "Pallas de Velletri") (1stC CE Roman copy of 5thC BCE original by Cresilas) at Louvre Museum. Paris, France.Marble statue of Athena (aka "Pallas de Velletri") (1stC CE Roman copy of 5thC BCE original by Cresilas) at Louvre Museum. Paris, France.Marble statue of Zeus, god of heaven & Olympus (2ndC CE Roman copy of 5thC BCE original by Myron) (head is modern) at Louvre Museum. Paris, France.Marble statue of Apollo (1stC CE Roman copy of 5thC BCE original from Athens) at Louvre Museum. Paris, France.
Roman statue of Venus copy of Greek original at Orleans Beaux Arts Museum. Orleans, France.Roman statue of Julien l'Apostat copy of Greek original at Orleans Beaux Arts Museum. Orleans, France.Roman-era copy of statue of seated woman after Attic Greek original at Uffizi Gallery. Florence, Italy.Roman-era copy of statue of Hercules & Centaur Nessus after Attic Greek original at Uffizi Gallery. Florence, Italy.
Roman statue of Venus copy (1st-2ndC CE) of Greek original (3rd-2ndC BCE) at Orleans Beaux Arts Museum. Orleans, France.Roman statue of Julien l'Apostat copy (1st-2ndC CE) of Greek original (c460 BCE) at Orleans Beaux Arts Museum. Orleans, France.Roman-era copy of statue of seated woman after Attic Greek original (430-420 BCE) at Uffizi Gallery. Florence, Italy.Roman-era copy of statue of Hercules & Centaur Nessus after Attic Greek original (c300 BCE) at Uffizi Gallery. Florence, Italy.
Roman-era copy of statue of Nereide on seahorse after Hellenistic original at Uffizi Gallery. Florence, Italy.Amor & Psyche marble Roman sculpture at Altes Museum. Berlin, Germany.Greek & Roman sculptures at Blanton Museum of Art. Austin, TX.Detail of Amazon Frieze from Mausoleum at Halikarnassos Bodrum, Turkey at British Museum. London, United Kingdom.
Roman-era copy (1stC) of statue of Nereide on seahorse after Hellenistic original at Uffizi Gallery. Florence, Italy.Amor & Psyche marble Roman sculpture (150 AD after 1stC BCE original) at Altes Museum. Berlin, Germany.Greek & Roman sculptures at Blanton Museum of Art. Austin, TX.Detail of Amazon Frieze from Mausoleum at Halikarnassos (350 BCE) Bodrum, Turkey at British Museum. London, United Kingdom.
Detail of Amazon Frieze from Mausoleum at Halikarnassos Bodrum, Turkey at British Museum. London, United Kingdom.Detail of Amazon Frieze from Mausoleum at Halikarnassos Bodrum, Turkey at British Museum. London, United Kingdom.Horse detail of Chariot Group from Mausoleum at Halikarnassos Bodrum, Turkey at British Museum. London, United Kingdom.Portrait head perhaps an ancestor of Mausollos from Mausoleum at Halikarnassos Bodrum, Turkey at British Museum. London, United Kingdom.
Detail of Amazon Frieze from Mausoleum at Halikarnassos (350 BCE) Bodrum, Turkey at British Museum. London, United Kingdom.Detail of Amazon Frieze from Mausoleum at Halikarnassos (350 BCE) Bodrum, Turkey at British Museum. London, United Kingdom.Horse detail of Chariot Group from Mausoleum at Halikarnassos (c350 BCE) Bodrum, Turkey at British Museum. London, United Kingdom.Portrait head perhaps an ancestor of Mausollos from Mausoleum at Halikarnassos (c350 BCE) Bodrum, Turkey at British Museum. London, United Kingdom.
Statue of a woman perhaps wife of Mausollos & man perhaps Mausollos from Mausoleum at Halikarnassos one of seven wonder of ancient world Bodrum, Turkey at British Museum. London, United Kingdom.Detail of head of Mausollos from Mausoleum at Halikarnassos Bodrum, Turkey at British Museum. London, United Kingdom.Marble statue of Demeter found in sanctuary of Demeter at Knidos at British Museum. London, United Kingdom.Marble statue of pig found in sanctuary of Demeter at Knidos at British Museum. London, United Kingdom.
Statue of a woman perhaps wife of Mausollos & man perhaps Mausollos from Mausoleum at Halikarnassos one of seven wonder of ancient world (c350 BCE) Bodrum, Turkey at British Museum. London, United Kingdom.Detail of head of Mausollos from Mausoleum at Halikarnassos (c350 BCE) Bodrum, Turkey at British Museum. London, United Kingdom.Marble statue of Demeter (350-330 BCE) found in sanctuary of Demeter at Knidos at British Museum. London, United Kingdom.Marble statue of pig (350-330 BCE) found in sanctuary of Demeter at Knidos at British Museum. London, United Kingdom.
Nereid Monument from Xanthus, Antalya, Turkey at British Museum. London, United Kingdom.Nereid Monument with carvings along base which was originally higher than the British Museum can accommodate. London, United Kingdom.Sculpture of a draped Nereid on Nereid Monument at British Museum. London, United Kingdom.Frieze of shield carrying soldiers on Nereid Monument at British Museum. London, United Kingdom.
Nereid Monument (390 BCE-380 BCE) from Xanthus, Antalya, Turkey at British Museum. London, United Kingdom.Nereid Monument (390 BCE-380 BCE) with carvings along base which was originally higher than the British Museum can accommodate. London, United Kingdom.Sculpture of a draped Nereid on Nereid Monument (390 BCE-380 BCE) at British Museum. London, United Kingdom.Frieze of shield carrying soldiers on Nereid Monument (390 BCE-380 BCE) at British Museum. London, United Kingdom.
Relief of helmeted warrior on Nereid Monument at British Museum. London, United Kingdom.Frieze of shield carrying foot soldiers on pediment of Nereid Monument at British Museum. London, United Kingdom.Architrave frieze showing young men rushing forward with food & wine for a feast on Nereid Monument at British Museum. London, United Kingdom.Frieze of soldiers of two sides in different helmets fighting hand to hand on Nereid Monument at British Museum. London, United Kingdom.
Relief of helmeted warrior on Nereid Monument (390 BCE-380 BCE) at British Museum. London, United Kingdom.Frieze of shield carrying foot soldiers on pediment of Nereid Monument (390 BCE-380 BCE) at British Museum. London, United Kingdom.Architrave frieze showing young men rushing forward with food & wine for a feast on Nereid Monument (390 BCE-380 BCE) at British Museum. London, United Kingdom.Frieze of soldiers of two sides in different helmets fighting hand to hand on Nereid Monument (390 BCE-380 BCE) at British Museum. London, United Kingdom.
Crouching lioness sculpture guarding Nereid Monument but may predate the building at British Museum. London, United Kingdom.


Crouching lioness sculpture guarding Nereid Monument (390 BCE-380 BCE) but may predate the building at British Museum. London, United Kingdom.


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All photos on this page are originals by & copyrighted by Jim Steinhart.
All rights reserved. Permission required to use.

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