An Archaic Greek statue type representing a standing nude male youth; the plural is kouroi.
A kouros is an Archaic Greek statue type representing a standing nude male youth. The plural is kouroi. The type became widespread in the sixth century BCE and was used both as a dedication in sanctuaries and as a grave monument.
The conventional pose is frontal and upright, with one leg advanced and the arms generally held close to the sides. Early kouroi show strong geometric organization and Egyptian influence, while later examples reveal increasing naturalism in anatomy, balance, and proportion.
Etymology
From ancient Greek kouros, “young man” or “youth.”
Sculptor Notes
The kouros is a remarkable record of sculptors learning to organize the standing human figure in stone. Across the type, one can watch anatomy gradually emerge from an initially geometric system without losing the architectural clarity of the pose.
References
https://www.getty.edu/vow/AATFullDisplay?subjectid=300047570; https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/253370; https://www.metmuseum.org/essays/greek-art-in-the-archaic-period