contrapposto

American  

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

noun

Fine Arts.

plural

contrappostos

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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Etymology

Origin of contrapposto

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

Example Sentences

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 earliest is a self-portrait from 1814-16 by the German neoclassicist Moritz Daniel Oppenheim, holding a painter’s palette and thrusting his hips in luxurious contrapposto.

From New York Times • Jan. 25, 2018