Male Figures

The depiction of the human body, whether divine or mortal, has been a major concern of art since ancient times and been expressed through a wide range of forms and artistic mediums, from the intensely realistic sculptures of Classical Greece to the often highly stylised images produced by the Scythians and Celts. Figures may represent either mortal humans or anthropomorphic divinities, and in either case can often reflect an originating culture’s views on human identity, as well as the roles that different members of society were expected to fulfil. Gender is a key factor in this, and where many ancient societies were structured around patriarchal rule, male figures in ancient art may be depicted to reflect masculine ideals of physical prowess, education, and political authority. Activities which display these traits, such as battle scenes, hunting, or (in the case of Classical Greece) symposia, feature prominently in ancient art.