contrapposto

American  

[kohn-truh-pos-toh] / ˌkoʊn trəˈpɒs toʊ /

noun

Fine Arts.

• contrappostos
  plural

1. a representation of the human body in which the forms are organized on a varying or curving axis to provide an asymmetrical balance to the figure.

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contrapposto British  

/ ˌkɒntrəˈpɒstəʊ /

noun

1. (in the visual arts) a curving or asymmetrical arrangement of the human figure with the shoulders, hips, and legs in different planes

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• contrappostos
  plural

Etymology

Origin of contrapposto

1900–05; < Italian < Latin contrāpositus, past participle of contrāpōnere to place against. See contra ¹, posit

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

contrapposto

This sculpture exhibits the contrapposto stance: one foot forward and the opposite arm raised as if about to shift its weight.

From Textbooks ● Jun. 15, 2022

The pairing seems to echo the hero-king duality of so many male portraits: Tubman is sitting, in charge, farseeing, while Taylor has the classical, active contrapposto of an ancient athlete.

From Washington Post ● Sep. 8, 2021

He stands in perfect contrapposto on a plinth, near two equally realistic sculptures of women, by Duane Hanson and Tony Matelli.

From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 2, 2019

We’re probably doing the hip drop, an extreme version of Michelangelo’s David’s contrapposto to lower ourselves a couple of inches.

From The Guardian ● Jun. 2, 2018

But the contrapposto work turns up the volume again.

From New York Times ● Sep. 8, 2016