Torso of a kouros

myminifactory

Throughout the sixth century B.C., Greek artists produced highly realistic depictions of the human figure. During this period, two types of freestanding, large-scale sculptures emerged as dominant forms: the male kouros, a standing nude youth, and the female kore, a standing draped maiden. Placed in sanctuaries and cemeteries outside city walls, these massive stone statues served as dedications to the gods or grave markers. Wealthy Athenian aristocrats often erected elaborate funerary monuments within the city and its surroundings, particularly for family members who had died at a young age. Such monuments took the form of stelai, frequently decorated with intricate reliefs.