Skip to main content
contrapposto

contrapposto

1 9.9
Standing with most weight on one leg so the shoulders and hips tilt
  • adjective
  • /ˌkɒntrəˈpɒstoʊ/
  • Specialized
: contrapposto
  • The model stood in a contrapposto position, shifting her weight onto one leg for the sketch.

Examples

  • Artists often use a contrapposto pose to make their figures appear more lifelike.

  • The statue was sculpted in a contrapposto pose.

  • The statue's contrapposto stance gives it a sense of movement and naturalism.

  • Look at that contrapposto!

  • The statue's contrapposto stance gives it a sense of movement and naturalism.

  • Artists often use a contrapposto pose to make their figures appear more lifelike.

  • The model stood in a contrapposto position, shifting her weight onto one leg for the sketch.

Surface Forms

contrapposto positive

Etymology

Contrapposto comes from the Italian parts contra- ('against') and posto ('placed'), meaning 'placed against'. Like the word contrast, the idea is that the hips and shoulders are set opposite each other, so a contrapposto pose has weight on one leg and looks relaxed and natural.