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

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Etymology

Origin of contrapposto

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

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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

The chief, borrowing his contrapposto pose from the Apollo Belvedere, wears full Highland dress in reference to his clan’s role in the Jacobite Rising of 1745.

From New York Times ● Nov. 20, 2014

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