Callimachus (Active 432-408 BCE)

The ancient Greek architect and sculptor Callimachus was active during the High Classical Period of Greek sculpture. According to a later account of Pausanias, although Callimachus was not one of the greatest sculptors of his era like Polykleitos, Myron or Phidias, he was considered to be an exceptionally clever and innovative artist. It is also said that he was nicknamed "catatexitechnus" - often simply translated as "the perfectionist" although a better rendering is " one who spoils his art by over-elaboration".

Biography

Little is known of Callimachus' origins, early life or how he learned the art of sculpture. He is recorded as an architect and sculptor in the late 5th-century BCE, according to the tradition set by Polykleitos. Sculptures from both Corinth and Athens are attributed to him, making it likely that he was born in one of these cities.

BEST WORKS OF SCULPTURE
For a list of the world's top 100
3-D artworks, by the best sculptors
in the history of art, see:
Greatest Sculptures Ever.

FAMOUS GREEK SCULPTORS
For biographies of the main
artists known to us from the
sculpture of ancient Greece
please see the following:
Phidias (488-431 BCE)
Myron (Active 480-444 BCE)
Polykleitos (5th century BCE)
Skopas (Active 395-350 BCE)
Lysippos (c.395-305 BCE)
Praxiteles (Active 375-335 BCE)
Leochares (Active 340-320 BCE)

Sculpture by Callimachus

His sculpting ability is not known from any surviving originals or in any certain copies, but references to his works in ancient writings has led to a number of sculptures being attributed to him. To begin with he is credited with the Nikes on the frieze of the Temple of Athena Nike on the Athens Acropolis. Pliny the Elder (23-79 CE) refers to his Lacedemonian dancers and a statue of the seated Hera made for the Heraion of Plataea. In addition, six Maenads (ecstatic females possessed by a divine spirit) attributed to him exist in Roman copies. The close-fitting drapery featured in these Maenads has led to other works being credited to him.

Sculpting Techniques

CLASSICAL PLASTIC ARTS
For details of Greek art and
later styles of Roman art, see:
Daedalic
Archaic Sculpture
Early Classical
High Classical Sculpture
Late Classical
Hellenistic Greek Sculpture
Greek Statues, Reliefs
Roman Sculpture
Roman Reliefs

SCULPTING MEDIA
For different types of carving, see:
Stone Sculpture
From igneous, sedimentary,
and metamorphic rocks.
Marble Sculpture
Pentelic, Carrara, Parian marbles.
Wood Carving
Chip carving, relief carving.
Bronze Sculpture
Lost-wax casting method,
sandcasting, centrifugal casting.

What characterises Callimachus more than anything else is his painstaking attention to detail, hence the soubriquet "catatexitechnus". Reportedly, he was the first to use a drill for shaping marble, and to enhance the effects of light and shade in the hair, foliage and other features of his sculpture, and to assist in the fine detail he sought. Knowledgable about the history of sculpture in ancient Greece, he modelled his work on the tradition of the old masters and pioneered the Archaic style.

Callimachus As Architect

Callimachus also has a place in the history of architecture. He is considered the inventor of the Corinthian capital. According to a story recounted by Vitruvius, Callimachus got the idea while looking at the acanthus blossom wrapped around a basket which had been placed on a child's tomb. Since the first known Corinthian capital dates from around 425 BCE, when Callimachus was most active, the story could easily be true.

• For more facts about plastic arts in Ireland, see: Irish Art Encyclopedia.
• For details of sculptors in Ireland, see Irish Sculpture.
• For information about clay sculpture, see: Ceramic Art.

• To Update This Mini-Biography of Callimachus, click here.