colossal

Examples of colossal in the following topics:

• Colossal Heads of the Olmec

  • The Olmec culture of the Gulf Coast of Mexico produced the first major Mesoamerican art, and is particularly known for the creation of colossal stone heads.
  • The colossal heads range in height from 5 to 12 feet.
  • Most colossal heads were sculpted from spherical boulders but two from San Lorenzo Tenochtitlán were re-carved from massive stone thrones.
  • An additional monument at Takalik Abaj in Guatemala is a throne that may have been carved from a colossal head.
  • It is believed that the Olmec colossal heads are depictions of powerful rulers.

• Sculpture in the Greek High Classical Period

  • Polykleitos not only worked in bronze but is also known for his chryselephantine cult statue of Hera at Argos, which in ancient times was compared to Phidias's colossal chryselephantine cult statues.
  • Phidias is well known for the Athena Parthenos, the colossal cult statue in the naos of the Parthenon.
  • Besides being built on a colossal scale, reports indicate that the figure of Zeus was seated, holding a scepter and a statue of Nike.
  • An artist's conception of the colossal sculpture resides in the Hermitage Museum in St.

• Tutankhamun and Ramses II

  • Using art as a means of propaganda, he illustrated his victories over foreigners on numerous temple reliefs, and erected colossal statues of himself.
  • One 83-tonne version of these colossal statues was reconstructed and erected in Cairo in 1955, then moved again in 2006 to protect it from exhaust fumes .

• Cultures of Mesoamerica

  • Made from basalt rock from the Tuxtla mountains to the north, the Olmec used this rock to create altars, stelae, and colossal heads.
  • Each colossal head is rendered as a distinct individual and are thought to resemble different Olmec rulers.

• Dur Sharrukin

  • The colossal bull statue was uncovered outside the throne room.

• Money and Fashion: The Commissions of Roman Patrons

  • Some of the most famous colossal marble groups were sculpted in the Hellenistic style for wealthy Roman patrons and for the imperial court.
  • The colossal marble statue, carved from a single block of marble, depicts the myth of Dirce, wife of the King of Thebes, who was tied to a bull by the sons of Antiope to punish her for mistreating their mother.

• Sculpture of the New Kingdom

  • In the famous sculptures outside the main temple at Abu Simbel, Ramses II (1303–1213 BCE) is depicted in a row of four colossal statues.

• The Assyrian Culture

  • A statue of Ashurnasirpal II was found in an excellent state of preservation, as were colossal winged man-headed lions, each guarding the palace entrance.
  • The colossal bull statue (above) was uncovered outside the throne room.
  • Some of the principal doorways were flanked by colossal stone-door figures that included many winged lions or bulls with the heads of men.

• Jain Sculpture

  • A colossal monolithic statue of Bahubali at Shravanbelagola, the Jain siddha (one who has attained spiritual salvation), is located in Karnataka in southern India.

• Sculpture in the Hellenistic Period

  • Some of the most famous colossal marble groups were sculpted in the Hellenistic style for wealthy Roman patrons and for the imperial court.
  • The colossal marble statue, carved from a single block of marble, depicts the myth of Dirce, wife of the King of Thebes, who was tied to a bull by the sons of Antiope to punish her for mistreating their mother.