Editing Contrapposto (section)

==Definition==
''Contrapposto'' was historically an important sculptural development, for its appearance marks the first time in Western art that the human body is used to express a more relaxed psychological disposition. This gives the figure a more dynamic, or alternatively relaxed appearance. In the frontal plane this also results in opposite levels of shoulders and hips, for example: if the right hip is higher than the left; correspondingly the right shoulder will be lower than the left, and vice versa. It can further encompass the tension as a figure changes from resting on a given leg to walking or running upon it (so-called ''ponderation''). The leg that carries the weight of the body is known as the ''engaged'' leg, the relaxed leg is known as the ''free'' leg.<ref name=Janson>[[H. W. Janson|Janson, H.W.]] (1995) ''History of Art''. 5th ed. Revised and expanded by Anthony F. Janson. London: [[Thames & Hudson]], p. 139. {{ISBN|0500237018}}</ref> Usually, the ''engaged'' leg is straight, or very slightly bent, and the ''free'' leg is slightly bent.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Jane Bassett |first1=Peggy Fogelman |title=Looking at European Sculpture: A Guide to Technical Terms |date=1997 |publisher=J. Paul Getty Museum |isbn=0-892-36-291-X |pages=23–24 |chapter=Contrapposto}}</ref> ''Contrapposto'' is less emphasized than the more sinuous [[S-curve (art)|S-curve]], and creates the illusion of past and future movement.<ref>"Contrapposto". Grove Encyclopedia of Materials & Techniques in Art: 142–143. October 2008. {{ISBN|9780195313918}}.</ref> A 2019 [[eye tracking]] study, by showing that ''contrapposto'' acts as [[supernormal stimulus]] and increases perceived attractiveness, has provided evidence and insight as to why, in artistic presentation, goddesses of beauty and love are often depicted in ''contrapposto'' pose.<ref name=pazh1>{{cite journal | last1 = Pazhoohi | first1 = F. |last2 = Macedo | first2 = M. F. |last3 = Doyle | first3 = J. F. |last4 = Arantes | first4 = J. | year = 2019 | title = Waist-to-Hip Ratio as Supernormal Stimuli: Effect of Contrapposto Pose and Viewing Angle | journal = Archives of Sexual Behavior | volume = 49 | issue = 3 | pages = 837–847 | doi=10.1007/s10508-019-01486-z| pmid = 31214904 | s2cid = 254261050 }}</ref> This was later supported in a [[neuroimaging]] study.<ref name=pazh2>{{cite journal | last1 = Pazhoohi | first1 = F. |last2 = Arantes | first2 = J. |last3 = Kingstone | first3 = A. |last4 = Pinal | first4 = D. | year = 2020 | title = Becoming sexy: Contrapposto pose increases attractiveness ratings and modulates observers' brain activity | journal = Biological Psychology | volume = 151 | page = 107842 | doi=10.1016/j.biopsycho.2020.107842| pmid = 31958547 | s2cid = 210678442 | hdl = 1822/90973 | hdl-access = free }}</ref> The term ''contrapposto'' can also be used to refer to multiple figures which are in counter-pose (or opposite pose) to one another.