Contrapposto (Italian pronunciation: [kontrapˈposto] 'counterpoise'), in the visual arts, is a human figure standing with most of its weight on one foot, so that its shoulders and arms twist off-axis …

Contrapposto, (Italian: “opposite”), in the visual arts, a sculptural scheme, originated by the ancient Greeks, in which the standing human figure is poised such that the weight rests on …

Sep 13, 2024 · Contrapposto is a dynamic, three-dimensional pose of the human form in which some body parts twist against others. In art, it is closely associated with naturalism, because it …

Mar 8, 2023 · Contrapposto is an Italian, art historical term meaning ‘counterpoise.’ The term is most often applied to a pose in classical and Renaissance art, in which a standing person …

Jul 25, 2025 · The word contrapposto means “counterpoise” in Italian, and it emerged in Greece around the 5th century BCE. It mimics how humans naturally stand at rest, bringing a new …

Dec 19, 2025 · What Is the Contrapposto Pose? Contrapposto is a distinctive pose seen in art, especially sculpture and painting, where the figure’s center of gravity is focused on one side or …

Speakers: Dr. Beth Harris and Dr. Steven Zucker Although these particular objects may not have been known in the Renaissance, the ideas and form of contrapposto were revived in the Italian …