contrapposto

[ kohn-truh-pos-toh ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

, Fine Arts.

, plural con·trap·pos·tos.

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.

contrapposto

/ ˌkɒntrəˈpɒstəʊ /

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

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

C20: from Italian, from the past participle of contrapporre, from Latin contra contra- + pōnere to place

April 24, 2024gallimaufry

[gal-uh-maw-free ]

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