ArticleCMS_Entertainment

Five of the Most Popular Games for PDAs

Entertainment Editor — Thu, 18 Aug 2011 09:23:00 GMT

The personal digital assisant (PDA) has become somewhat of an archaic electronic item largely replaced by smartphones. These serve nearly all PDA functions, while also featuring the ability to place calls. The remaining prominent class of PDA is the tablet computer, a sort of hybrid item bearing characteristics of both traditional PDAs and fully-capable laptops. Many operational functions of tablet computers are similar to the most popular games for PDAs.

Scrabble™ : A Classic Board Game in PDA Form

"Scrabble" is known as one of the most popular board games in the United States. Its consistent, long-standing popularity made it an ideal candidate for a mobile PDA and smartphone game. The larger screens and increased graphic quality of tablet computer-style PDAs are optimal for Scrabble, which requires the close examination of letters and their placement on the board to come up with the best word combinations.

Bejeweled Blitz™: From Facebook™ Application to PDA Game

One of the popular game applications available from the Apple® App Store for the iPad®, "Bejeweled Blitz" began as an application for the worldwide social networking website Facebook. Its popularity on the site and its relatively simple design, where players match up jewels on a puzzle-grid similar to a checkerboard, made it well-suited to PDA and smartphone gaming.

Chess and Other Strategy Games

Chess is recognized worldwide as one of the most challenging board games, with champion players, known as "grandmasters," famous globally in the chess-playing community. With the advent of PDAs and tablet computers, this game has assumed mobile form without sacrificing too much of its size and none of its challenging nature. Using your PDA or tablet's Internet connection, you can play against friends, or take on the computer if you so choose.

Doom™: A Classic First-Person-Shooter Available for PDAs

Rising to fame among computer video game players in the 1990s, "Doom" was one of the most popular examples of the first-person-shooter (FPS) style of games. In 2009, the game became available on the iPod touch®, as well as the iPad. Though its violent content and frightening material make it unsuitable for children, older players, particularly those with nostalgia for 1990s gaming, may well be pleased with the mobile version of "Doom."

"Angry Birds™ HD" for the PDA

This wildly popular game may be better known for its availability through the top smartphones for gaming, though its tablet computer PDA version, "Angry Birds HD" takes full advantage of the enhanced graphic capabilities of tablet PDAs. In 2010, the high-definition (HD) version of this game was only available for the iPad, but its popularity makes it a likely candidate to spread to other tablets and PDAs.

Five of the Most Popular Games for Smartphones

Entertainment Editor — Thu, 18 Aug 2011 09:23:00 GMT

The amount of available smartphone games is considerable. If you combine the amount of games available on all of the various smartphone operating systems, you'll have at least several hundred games all together, far too many to easily list. Learn about some the most popular games for smartphones.

Angry Birds™: A Puzzle Game for All Ages

In this fun puzzle game with a touch of the absurd, your object is to fling birds out of a catapult to destroy the fortresses of enemy pigs. This involves strategically angling your shots to hit the fortress at its weak points: A simple premise, perhaps, but one that has proved immensely successful. As the most popular smartphone game of 2010 in 67 countries (AARP, 2011), "Angry Birds" boasts an enviable reputation in its class.

Cut the Rope™: An Instant Smartphone Game Success

This game debuted in October 2010 and turned heads by selling approximately one million digital copies in 10 days. In a premise fit to rival the silliness of "Angry Birds", your object is to feed a bizarre-looking frog by cutting ropes that suspend candy above its reach. Be wary: You're racing against a clock before the frog perishes from hunger.

Fruit Ninja™: Acrobatic Fruit Destruction

"Fruit Ninja" takes full advantage of the capabilities of touch-screen smartphones. Your object is to destroy fruit through the use of touch-simulated, ninja-style martial arts maneuvers. Like "Cut the Rope" and "Angry Birds," this game is fairly popular, though not nearly as successful as either of the former games. It's both incredibly easy to play and, like similar smartphone games, can be particularly addictive.

Asphalt 5™: A Prominent Mobile Racing Game

A wide variety of racing games are available for standard Internet-capable phones and smartphones. Asphalt 5 is particularly distinguished in this category. Bringing players through well-detailed urban city landscapes, "Asphalt 5" bears graphics that manage to give console games a run for their money--a notable achievement for a smartphone or mobile game of any kind.

Doodle Jump™ : A Basic Yet Complex Smartphone Game

This game stands, as of 2011, as the most downloaded game in the history of Apple's App Store and helped create the boom in iPhone gaming. This game, which is also one of the most popular games for PDAs of the tablet computer class, features a simple premise: jump the strangely-shaped creature called a "doodle" over numerous physical obstacles and enemies. In execution, the game can be fairly difficult.

Three of the Top PDAs for Gaming

Entertainment Editor — Thu, 18 Aug 2011 09:23:00 GMT

Smartphones have had much greater success and enjoyed a more lasting market longevity than their technological predecessor, the personal digital assistant (PDA). While not entirely obsolete, PDAs have been rendered somewhat archaic due to the advances in smartphones, which essentially give a phone's capabilities to a PDA. The most prominent remaining PDAs are tablet computers, and these items are also the top PDAs for gaming.

Apple®'s PDAs: The iPod touch® and iPad®

Apple's iPod Touch serves the essential function of the company's standard iPod®, playing music stored on it as mp3 files. In the touch version, the device's capabilities are expanded to include browsing the Internet and downloading applications, many of which are games. The iPod touch has remained consistently popular, even with the widespread use of the iPhone. Similarly, the iPad and iPad 2 can be seen as in-between items, with greater capabilities than an iPod touch but lacking the capabilities of an iPhone or traditional laptop. One iPad feature--its support of high-definition (HD) video--may be particularly attractive to gamers. Some games available on the iPhone are thus available with HD quality visuals.

The Motorola Xoom™ Tablet Computer PDA

This tablet PDA is notable as the first item of its kind to feature the Android 3.0 operating system. As a result, it may feature a few early design kinks. Fore the most part, however, it's a suitable alternative to the iPad or iPod touch. Gamers will be impressed by the Xoom's storage space, Internet connection speed and considerable 10 hour battery life--comparable to most mp3 players, but remarkable in a much larger device like this. Its video and display quality isn't nearly as impressive, which may discourage gamers.

The Samsung Galaxy Tab™: A Promising Tablet PDA

This tablet computer is ideal for gamers who want the advantages of a tablet in as small a size as possible; the Galaxy Tab is far smaller than either the iPad or the Motorola Xoom. This PDA's screen features high quality video, and the Android™ system and T-Mobile™ wireless network provide wireless Internet at no additional charge beyond the standard data plan charge. The Galaxy Tab doesn't support high-definition video, and has a short term of battery life. As a result, it may not be the best PDA for your gaming needs if you're interested in a substantial gaming tablet.

Three of the Top Smartphones for Gaming

Entertainment Editor — Thu, 18 Aug 2011 09:23:00 GMT

If you're a gamer and shopping for an Internet-capable smartphone, you may be overwhelmed by all the choices a retail store has to offer. Before you make a decision, you may want to start by looking at some of the top smartphones for gaming, examining both critical and customer reviews.

Apple™ Smartphone Offerings: The iPhone 3™ and iPhone 4™

The Apple corporation's rise from obscurity and critical scorn to exorbitant profit and popularity is one of the most remarkable attributes of any American company. This turnaround, which took place throughout the first decade of the 2000s, can be attributed to three products--the iPod™ mp3 music player, the company's line of MacBook laptops and the iPhone. Though the iPhone didn't immediately catch on when it debuted in 2007 due to various glitches--a common occurrence in prototypical electronics--it soon reached enviable status among smartphones. This can largely be attributed to the phone's wide variety of available applications or "apps." As of May 2011, approximately 350,000 apps were available, including hundreds of games. Originally, the iPhone was only available with AT&T™ wireless service. Since 2011, you can also purchase iPhones with Verizon wireless service.

The HTC ThunderBolt™ : A Top-Rated Android Smartphone

This smartphone, which utilizes Verizon's wireless network, is well-regarded by industry critics. For those interested in gaming, the speed of its mobile Internet will be a particular advantage, allowing for quick downloads of gaming applications and a reliable, speedy connection when playing games online. The ThunderBolt also comes with a number of pre-installed applications, including some games. These can't be deleted to make room for new games, which will be a disadvantage to some.

Samsung Focus™: A Notable Windows 7™ Smartphone

The Samsung Focus™ is a particularly small and lightweight smartphone which uses the AT&T wireless network and the Windows 7™ operating system. Gamers may be attracted to Windows 7's wide selection of games, including several variations on popular Xbox 360™ titles. Some users may find the quality of the Samsung Focus uneven, and early versions of the phone lack certain features in the operating system. Even so, its catalog of exclusive games and its selection of games for all smartphones, along with its visual quality, are worthy of note.

Operating System-Specific Games for Smartphones and PDAs

Entertainment Editor — Thu, 18 Aug 2011 09:23:00 GMT

Some of the most notable smartphone games are widely accessible, and are available for free or paid download onto any of the prominent smartphones on the market. Other smartphone gaming applications are operating-system specific games, and are designed exclusively for particular smartphone operating systems. These vary from classic puzzle games to the newest developments in intricate, story-oriented gaming.

Snake: The First Exclusive Mobile Game
The history of the mobile game Snake dates back further than the origin of consumer-market smartphones, making its mobile debut in 1997. It was pre-programmed into cell phones released by the Nokia™ electronics company. Though little more than a simple puzzle-style game, Snake remained popular for its engaging challenges.

Since that time, Snake has served as the progenitor of dozens of derivative and spin-off games. These knockoffs have appeared on numerous other cell phones and smart phones, though the original version of Snake remains exclusively present on standard cell phones and smartphones released by Nokia, including the N-Gage™ smartphone.

Apple-Exclusive Smartphone Games
As the supplier of the largest amount of applications in general, with about 350,000 as of May 2011, Apple™ boasts a wide variety of exclusive gaming applications for its iPhone™ smartphones, as well as its iPod Touch™ and iPad™ PDAs and tablet computers. Games in this category span a wide variety of genres.

The game developer Square Enix™, creators of the Final Fantasy™ role-playing game (RPG) series, have developed an iPhone-exclusive game entitled Chaos Rings™, which has earned a great deal of attention among gamers. Another exclusive game is the horror third-person-shooter Dead Space™, a fairly complex story-oriented game by mobile gaming standards.

Sports games, "Harry Potter© "-themed games and "Angry Birds™" are also extremely popular games.

Exclusive Games for Other Smartphones
The other smartphone operating systems, such as Android™, Palm™ and Windows Phone 7™, each have their own application services similar to that of Apple. As such, they also feature certain exclusive games.

Microsoft's Windows Phone 7 is particularly notable in this category. It features a wide variety of gaming options for smartphones derived from the company's Xbox 360 home console, presented in somewhat simplified versions. Well-known titles such as "Halo™," "Assassin's Creed™ ," "Splinter Cell™ " and games tied to the "Star Wars™ " franchise are also available.

Games for All Smartphones and PDAs

Entertainment Editor — Thu, 18 Aug 2011 09:23:00 GMT

In the field of smartphone and PDA gaming, you'll find a large number of available games, with some of the operating systems behind these items supporting literally hundreds of game applications. Some of these will be exclusively found on particular operating systems, such as Android™ , Palm™ , Windows Phone 7™ and others. It's also easy to find a plenty of games for all smartphones. Applications are available for any smartphone or PDA user to download.

Popular Puzzle Games for All Smartphones
Some of the most popular and best smartphones for games include classics, such as Angry Birds™. Many of these recognized staples are puzzle games that rely on a combination of quick thinking and manual dexterity, rather than focusing on the realistic role-playing inherent in modern console games.

Tetris™, which has remained a consistently popular video game since its debut in 1984, exemplifies a classic puzzle game. Tetris is available on virtually all smartphones, and is simple enough to function on some traditional cellphones. Other games of this type include Brick Breaker, which comes pre-installed on the BlackBerry™, as well as card classics like Solitaire and Sudoku.

Angry Birds™ : A Mobile Gaming Phenomenon
"Angry Birds," like Tetris, is essentially a puzzle game, though its rapid rise to popularity and acclaim in the overall gaming industry make it noteworthy. First available exclusively through the Apple iPhone and iPod Touch, it has since spread to Android, Palm and Windows 7 smartphones.

In 2010, Angry Birds distinguished itself by being downloaded over 50 million times, and stood out as a nominee for Game of the Year by the Academy of Interactive Arts and Sciences. It failed to win the award, but the mere fact of its nomination is indicative of the prominent status to which mobile games have risen. (Wired magazine, 2011).

Sports Games for All Smartphones
Sports games have remained an important sub-genre in gaming throughout the history of the video game industry. As such, it's no surprise that sports games would eventually make it to the smartphone market.

Many of the mobile versions of popular sports games such as "Madden NFL™" and "FIFA™" (named for the soccer franchise) began as operating-system specific smartphone games, usually debuting on the iPhone, and have since spread to Android-operating phones and other smartphones.

Options When Selecting the Best PDA for Your Gaming Needs

Entertainment Editor — Thu, 18 Aug 2011 09:23:00 GMT

Personal digital assistants (PDAs) and similar items, such as tablet computers, will in some ways be more suitable for gaming than smartphones. Other aspects of PDAs can be detrimental to gaming in certain instances. Before purchasing a game or portable device, assess the pros and cons when choosing the best PDA for your gaming needs.

Availability of PDA Games
Many of the games available for PDAs and tablet computers are also available on smartphones. This is largely due to the fact that smartphones have in many ways made PDAs somewhat archaic, if not completely irrelevant. As a result, the most prominent developments in PDA gaming will be found in tablet computers, which provide many of a laptop computer's functions in a smaller and more portable size.

As an example, the versions of the iPad™ and iPod Touch™, released by Apple, two of the prominent PDAs marketed in 2011, both boast a wide variety of available games. Most of these games are also available through the iPhone™. Tablet PDAs using the Android operating system, such as the Galaxy Tab, also boast a respectable variety of games.

The Gaming Experience on PDAs and Tablet Computers
The existing markets for PDAs and tablet computers are not as reliant on gaming as they are on other aspects of the consumer base--namely students, those in the business world and the medical industry. Still, gaming has received industry attention, and tablets and PDAs can provide a fun gaming experience.

The popularity of the iPad and iPod Touch, in addition to the wide selection of available games, give these products the edge among some tech industry critics. The Motorola Xoom™ and Galaxy Tab™ don't have a comparable selection, though the gaming capabilities and future possibilities of the Xoom have been well-received.

The Future of PDA Gaming
The essential truth of the PDA industry is that it's faltering in comparison to the smartphone market, which has been steadily growing since the late 2000s and shows no signs of slowing down. Most consumers consider PDA technology archaic. As a result, the top PDAs for gaming still on the market are tablet computers, which are indebted to the innovations of early PDA creators and manufacturers.

Considerations When Purchasing the Best Smartphone for Your Gaming Needs

Entertainment Editor — Thu, 18 Aug 2011 09:23:00 GMT

While gaming might not be the primary reason behind your purchase of a smartphone, it's a consideration worth taking into account when deciding among your options. The optimal smartphone for your gaming needs will have a wide variety of available games to choose from and admirable graphic quality, while also serving all of the other essential purposes of a smartphone.

Game Selection of Various Smartphones

The top smartphones in terms of renown and visibility in popular culture, such as the iPhone, Android, Blackberry, Palm and Windows Phone all boast a wide selection of games. Some phones, of course, have a wider selection of available games than others. Your choice in this category will depend on your personal preference. For a wide selection of popular games, go for either the iPhone or a phone equipped with the Android operating system. Both of these smartphones feature hundreds of games among the wide field of their available apps, which number in the tens of thousands. Some games will be exclusive to specific smartphones and unavailable elsewhere. Microsoft's Windows Phone 7 operating system, for example, allows users to play simplified versions of games for the company's Xbox 360 home console.

Visual Quality in Smartphone Gaming

A smartphone doesn't offer the same level of graphic quality that you find in a home console--even so, you don't want poor graphics to affect gameplay. Since gaming is a somewhat small, but generally successful, aspect of the smartphone market, phone and game developers haven't neglected the field of smartphone gaming. As a result, it's easy to find phones that feature visual quality that are suitable for enjoyable gaming. A prominent example is the Xperia™ PLAY phone, which debuted in early spring of 2011 and is designed to play games found on the PlayStation video game console, an attribute requiring considerable visual quality. Recent versions of the Windows Phone 7 have also been noted for advanced visual and graphic quality.

Security in Smartphone Gaming

Although it's not an issue affecting all consumers, if you're a video game enthusiast with young children, you may want to consider their personal security. Some of the most popular games for smartphones feature violent content. If you don't want your children playing these games, keep your smartphone locked with its passcode feature.

An Overview of Gaming Options for Smartphones and PDAs

Entertainment Editor — Thu, 18 Aug 2011 09:23:00 GMT

Internet-ready cell phones, commonly referred to as "smartphones," are capable of accomplishing countless tasks, far beyond their most obvious use of placing a phone call. Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs) often serve the same purpose, while lacking phone abilities. Some of these capabilities are useful in a practical, utilitarian way, such as surfing the Internet to access your email, conduct business and more. Other available features serve a more entertaining purpose, such as the various gaming options for smartphones.

The Pros of Smartphone Gaming

In any given week, you may find yourself in transitional situations where you have a short amount of downtime--long lines at the supermarket, sitting in the waiting room, a long commute to work on public transportation or waiting for your relative to finish a music lesson. Times such as these are ideal for smartphone gaming. Well-designed games can liven up the dreary hours of your day.

Availability of Smartphone and PDA Gaming

Smartphones and PDAs feature the ability to download games through the Internet. Games are typically provided through third-party applications, referred to as "apps." Some of these devices also feature games that are included with the phone's built-in operating system upon your initial purchase. Many games can be downloaded for free, while others may charge a relatively small fee. The strength of your connection will vary the time of the download, but most games only take about a minute or so to completely download--larger games may take five to 10 minutes. Generally, games that come with a device won't be particularly complex. Puzzle games such as Tetris are examples in this category. If you choose to download games from third-party suppliers, you'll find a wider variety of available game applications covering a wide variety of categories--sports, role-playing games, first-person shooters and more. Though these games won't have the same graphic quality as console or computer games, they're convenient, ease-to-use and mobile.

Popular Phones and PDAs for Gaming

In the field of gaming and applications in general, Apple's iPod Touch and iPhone are respective examples of notable PDAs and smartphones for your gaming needs. The Android operating system, which is available on smartphones from numerous manufacturers and wireless providers, also offers a wide variety of gaming applications. Other game-capable smartphones include the Blackberry, Palm, and Microsoft Windows Phone. Some manufacturers are also making smartphones or PDAs with dedicated game buttons and features for more serious gamers.

Excellent Italian and Roman Locales for Classical Sculptures

Entertainment Editor — Thu, 18 Aug 2011 09:23:00 GMT

In comparison to Greek sculptures, more Roman sculptures have withstood the test of time and remain on exhibition today. Many of these works are on display at numerous prominent Roman locales for classical sculptures.

Roman Locales for Classical Sculptures

The Capitoline Hill is one of the seven hills of Rome, well-known throughout the history of ancient Rome and modern Italy. The Piazza del Campidoglio, designed by the legendary artist Michelangelo during the Renaissance era, dominates the hill. The Capitoline Museums are one of the Piazza's major features, and have existed in some form since the late 15th century. For many years, these museums have housed major works of Roman classical sculpture and ancient art. Sculptural highlights of this museum include the Equestrian Statue of Marcus Aurelius, a representation of one of Rome's best-known emperors. The bronze statue exists in two versions--an original within the museum itself and a replica outside in the Piazza where the original first stood. Another major work is the Capitoline Venus, a famous Roman copy of an original by the Greek master sculptor Praxiteles.

Roman Sculpture Masterworks of the Vatican Museums

The Vatican Museums have housed the Roman Catholic Church's massive collection of artwork since the dawn of the 16th century. Many visually striking, significant art objects of the world's ancient cultures, including the Roman, Greek and Etruscan civilizations are housed in the museum, including masterpieces of Roman classical sculpture. Major works of Roman sculpture in the Vatican's collection include the Prima Porta Augustus, a marble statue of the famous Roman emperor dating back to the 1st century A.D. Other highlights include "Sleeping Ariadne," a Roman reproduction of a lost Hellenistic Greek statue, along with a sizable collection of Roman portraiture and numerous sculptures from ancient Roman tombs and sarcophagi.

Roman Sculpture at Major Archaeological Sites in Italy Although much of the remaining ancient Roman classical sculpture is contained within museum collections in Italy and elsewhere in the world, some works remain in ancient2 Roman archaeological sites, including:

Ara Pacis: This Roman religious site dates back to the late 1st century B.C., and its remains contain many notable sculptures honoring Roman gods.
Column of Marcus Aurelius: One of several sculptures honoring Marcus Aurelius, this monument is located in Rome's Piazza Colonna. Its surface is decorated with carvings portraying the emperor's Marcommanic wars.
Trajan's Column: The model for Aurelius's column, this sculpture is renowned for its sculpted relief telling the story of the emperor Trajan's victory in the Dacian wars.

Great Locales in Greece for Viewing Classical Sculptures

Entertainment Editor — Thu, 18 Aug 2011 09:23:00 GMT

Many works of classical sculpture no longer exist in their original form. Particularly in the case of older Greek works from the period, many statues and pieces are known only through faithful Roman reproductions or modern estimations based on ancient descriptions of the design. However, some classical works have been preserved and can be seen at various locales in Greece for viewing classical sculptures.

Locales in Greece for Viewing Classical Sculptures

The most well-known ancient Greek sites, such as the Parthenon and the Acropolis of Athens, once featured ornate sculptures of Athena made by the legendary artisan Phidias. Unfortunately, they no longer exist, and their shape is known only through replicas. You can still see examples of classical Greek sculpture at certain sites in Greece. The city of Delphi, famous for its preserved ancient ruins, features a number of sculptures from the original site at the Delphi Archaeological Museum. For a look into the sculpting process of that time, visit the archaeological site of Olympia. Near the ruins of the Temple of Zeus at this site, remnants of Phidias' ancient sculpture studio were found.

Greek Museums for Viewing Classical Greek Sculptures

Greece is a country with a long and storied ancient history, and major cities and towns throughout the nation feature museums devoted to the preservation of ancient art. Some of the most notable museums include the following institutions:

Archaeological Museum of Olympia: Located near the ruins of Olympia, this is often cited as one of the major museums of Greek antiquities. Its sculpture highlights include remaining statues from the Temple of Zeus and an original work by the sculptor Praxiteles.
National Archaeological Museum of Athens: This renowned museum features sculptural masterworks ranging from originals credited to Praxiteles and Myron to reproductions of lost works by Polykleitos.
New Acropolis Museum: This museum features sculptural and artistic highlights from the legendary Acropolis of Athens.

Viewing Classical Greek Sculptures Outside of Greece

A number of the surviving masterworks of classical Greek sculpture can be found outside of their home country. International collections at major museums include:

British Museum: This London museum houses one of the largest collections of Greek sculpture outside of Greece itself. The collection includes sculptures from the Acropolis of Athens, Mausoleum of Halikarnassos and the Temple of Artemis at Ephesos.
Louvre Museum: The Venus de Milo, Winged Nike of Samothrace and Apollo of Piombino are on view in this legendary Paris museum.
Vatican Museums: One of the major Roman locales for classical sculptures, the Greek sculpture collection here is celebrated and contains the Apollo Belvedere.

The Apollo Belvedere and Barberini Faun Sculptures

Entertainment Editor — Thu, 18 Aug 2011 09:23:00 GMT

Many major classical sculptures from the ancient Greek and Roman civilizations have mysterious origins. Many unanswered questions surround the famous Venus de Milo, and similarly incomplete stories mark the history of the Apollo Belvedere and Barberini Faun. These two sculptures, despite the missing facts of their background, are often named among the greatest works of art from the period of classical sculpture.

Apollo Belvedere and Barberini Faun

The Apollo Belvedere measures slightly more than seven feet high. Made of white marble, it portrays the Greek god Apollo in the classical contrapposto pose, giving a formidable, suitably epic pose to the deity. Like many major Greek sculptures of the Classical period, the male figure is depicted in an idealized, mythic representation. The surviving version of the Apollo Belvedere, which has been a part of the Vatican Museum's collection since the early 19th century, is not the original. As with many sculptures of Greek antiquity, it's a faithful Roman rendition of a Greek original, thought to be the work of the sculptor Leochares. The Apollo facsimile is roughly dated to the late Hellenistic period of the 2nd century B.C., while the original is thought to have been made during the 4th century, at the close of the Classical period. During the late 15th century, in the midst of the Renaissance, the currently known copy of the Apollo Belvedere was discovered in Italy. It immediately received immense stature in the artistic culture of that time, and remained in high regard for much of its history. The work is believed to have influenced Michelangelo's statue of David.

Essential Facts of the Barberini Faun

Unlike the Apollo Belvedere, the similarly renowned sculpture of the Barberini Faun has thoroughly uncertain origins. The ancient statue, housed in the Glyptothek museum in Munich, Germany, is thought to be either a Hellenistic sculpture or a Roman duplicate. No specific artist is credited with its creation. The life-size Barberini Faun depicts a mythological creature, called a faun by the Romans and a satyr by the Greeks. It was found in the latter years of the Renaissance, during the early 17th century, in the underground ruins of a site believed to have been a museum during the time of the Roman emperor Hadrian. Copies of this statue were frequently produced after its Renaissance discovery. Such reproductions of the Faun found their way to the French Academy in Rome and the summer palace of Russian emperor Peter the Great. The sculpture of the Faun, which earned its name from Cardinal Maffeo Barberini--the man believed to have commissioned its restoration--may seem lascivious to some. While many classical sculptures are nudes, the Faun is represented in a reclined, sexually suggestive pose. In mythology, the satyr or faun is often drunk and hedonistic. These facts haven't diminished the statue's artistic reputation, shown by the prestigious patrons desiring faithful copies of the original work from Hadrian's museum, one of the ancient Roman locales for viewing classical sculptures.

The Famous Works of Polykleitos in Ancient Greece

Entertainment Editor — Thu, 18 Aug 2011 09:23:00 GMT

The works of Polykleitos are of major importance to the development of classical Greek sculpture. As one of the legendary sculptors of the artistic discipline's Classical period, Polykleitos and his statues influenced subsequent sculptors, including his son, Polykleitos the Younger. Among the various legends of Greek sculpture at this time, only Phidias, Myron and Kresilas are considered comparable to Polykleitos.

Works of Polykleitos

Polykleitos earns his place as one of the major figures in classical sculpture on the basis of his highly influential techniques and compositional style. He took a meticulous, mathematically precise approach to his designs as a means to achieve his artistic goals through a realistic depiction of human anatomy. Polykleitos is noted for using the contrapposto technique of figure design. Contrapposto, which involves sculpting a standing human figure with his weight on the back foot, allows for a pose that suggests either a relaxed or forceful demeanor. This technique was immensely influential on the Greek and Roman sculpture that came in Polykleitos' wake.

Major Sculptures of Polykleitos

None of the original versions of Polykleitos's statues exist in their original forms. All of the knowledge of his work comes from a careful study of exact Roman marble copies of his legendary statues. Polykleitos's originals were made exclusively from bronze. Polykleitos was a prolific sculptor, producing numerous works throughout his long career in the 5th century B.C. Most prominent among these are three sculptures in particular: the Doryphoros, Diadumenos and Discophoros. All three are athletic figures, specifically representing a spear-carrier, a triumphant athlete at a competition and a disc thrower. Scholars of classical Greek architecture believe that Polykleitos adhered to a particular model--the young, athletic male body--as a method of perfectly honing his technique. Through this repetitive design, Polykleitos managed to create a distinct archetypal male statue that would influence nearly all similar Greek statues in the remaining Classical and Hellenistic periods of classical sculpture.

Other Notable Works of Polykleitos

Scholars of ancient Greek art consider Polykleitos' other sculptures to be of similar artistic value to his athletic sculptures, if not as influential. His other major statues were much different. One was of a mythological Amazon figure, the other a large gold and ivory statue of the goddess Hera, similar to the statue of Zeus that is one of the major sculptures of Phidias.

The Sculptures of Phidias in Ancient Greece

Entertainment Editor — Thu, 18 Aug 2011 09:23:00 GMT

Many ancient Greek sculptures are of unknown or uncertain origin, and it can be difficult to comprehensively document even the best-preserved, original sculptural ruins. However, the sculptures of Phidias are well-known to scholars of ancient Greek arts and culture, and a comparative wealth of data exists regarding his technique. His sculptures include some of the most distinctive, legendary works of classical Greek sculpture.

Sculptor of Phidias

As is the case with many legendary Greek figures, not much is known about the life of Phidias. He's believed to have lived in Athens during the 5th century B.C., during the Classical period of ancient Greek sculpture. Most of the records of Phidias come from the existing writings of major ancient historians and philosophers such as Plato and Demetrius of Phalerum, who both wrote passages extolling the virtues of Phidias's work. Aside from the existing knowledge of his sculptural works, little is known of Phidias's life. Some believe he is one of the first major figures to employ the mathematical formula known as the Golden Ratio in his designs, a mathematical property Pythagoras discovered less than a century earlier.

The First Major Works of Phidias

Phidias's early works were every bit as esteemed as his later sculptures. Around 456 B.C., he designed and built the statue known as the Athena Promachos. Said to be made of bronze and 30 feet high, it was one of the most impressive statues of its day. The statue was moved from Athens to Constantinople nearly 1,000 years after being built, and was destroyed there in the early 13th century. Phidias would create other statues of Athena throughout his career. One went to Plataea, the other to Pellene. Like the Athena Promachos, neither statue remains.

Phidias's Wonder of the World

Phidias is perhaps best known for his statue of Zeus in Olympia. Built for a temple dedicated to the supreme Greek god, this statue was supposedly larger than Athena Promachos, at 42 feet tall, and made of ivory and bronze. It's considered one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, and like all of those works (except the Pyramids of Egypt) it did not survive. The same is true of nearly all the major works of Greek sculpture, including the works of Polykleitos.

The Discus Thrower and Other Iconic Classical Sculptures

Entertainment Editor — Thu, 18 Aug 2011 09:23:00 GMT

The ancient Greek and Roman civilizations produced a wide variety of fascinating artwork, including the remarkable statues and portraiture of the classical sculpture era. A surprising number of the iconic classical sculptures remain intact today in some of the world's most prestigious art and history museums.

Iconic Classical Sculptures: Greek

The earliest iconic Greek classical sculptures come from the Classical period of sculptural development, which began after the year 500 B.C. Many come from the Hellenistic period. • Aphrodite of Cnidus: Designed by Praxiteles, one of the best-known sculptors of ancient Greece, this is the earliest-known piece of classical sculpture representing the nude female form. It only exists in copies. The most famous facsimile is a Roman work called the "Colonna Venus." • Discobolus, or the "Discus Thrower:" Attributed to the legendary sculptor Myron, the original version of this sculpture is lost. Various Roman copies are the only remaining examples. • Kritian Boy: This surviving original from the Classical period was found at the Acropolis of Athens. It's the first Greek statue to use the contrapposto (counterpost) technique, where the figure is sculpted as if all the weight is resting on one foot to provide a dynamic look. • Nike of Samothrace: This remarkable sculpture from the early Hellenistic period displays the Greek goddess of victory and is displayed in the Louvre Museum in Paris. • Venus de Milo: One of the most famous sculptures in the world, the Venus de Milo is another Greek sculptural highlight at the Louvre.

Iconic Works of Roman Classical Sculpture

Many of the early works of Roman classical sculpture were either exact copies or close reproductions of classical Greek statues. As a result, the amount of surviving original Roman sculptures of an iconic stature is small compared to the amount of remaining Greek sculpture. Some specifically Roman masterpieces include: • Column and statue of Marcus Aurelius: This statue commemorates the memory of Marcus Aurelius, one of Rome's best-known emperors. • Roman portraiture classical sculptures: The most renowned discipline of Roman classical sculpture, portrait busts were made of famed emperors, military figures and noblemen. Notable portraiture examples include emperors such as Hadrian, Marcus Aurelius and Augustus. • Trajan's Column: This piece of ancient Roman architecture is known for its remarkable surface relief. Pictures sculpted into the column tell the story of the Roman war against the Dacians in the late 2nd century B.C.

The Sculptures of Michelangelo and History

Entertainment Editor — Thu, 18 Aug 2011 09:23:00 GMT

The sculptures of Michelangelo, the Italian artist often cited as one of the world's greatest, are not specifically classical sculpture. Michelangelo's major artworks came during the Renaissance period, more than a thousand years after the era of classical sculpture ended in the first few centuries A.D. Despite this formal classification, many believe Michelangelo's sculptural work to be of equal artistic worth and importance to anything produced during the classical period of Roman sculpture.

The Sculptures of Michelangelo

Michelangelo created several sculptures which bear the name Pieta, all depicting the body of Jesus Christ in the arms of his mother Mary. The earliest and best-known of these, located in St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican city, is one of the most famous religious sculptures in the world. It's the only sculpture signed by Michelangelo, who was only 24 at the time of its completion. The first Pieta is exemplary of techniques taken from classical Greek sculpture. In the piece, Mary is portrayed as being much younger than in most representations, an indication of the artist's romantic Greek influences. Classical Greek sculptors typically opted for similarly idealized portrayals, while Roman sculpture, especially portraiture, valued realism heavily.

The David: Michelangelo's Best-Known Sculpture

As with many of Michelangelo's works of art, the sculpture for which he is most famous is a religious piece, representing the Biblical figure David. Seventeen feet high, the David took almost four years to finish, completed in 1504. It was first installed at the Palazzo Vecchio in Florence, and moved to the Accademia di Belli Arti Firenze in 1873 where it has remained since. This monumental work of art is representative of Greek and Roman classical sculpture techniques. As the Greeks often did when portraying male figures, Michelangelo sculpted David in the nude. The notably detailed face of the statue has more in common with Roman portraiture, which took careful attention to accurately represent facial features. Other Major Sculptures of Michelangelo: • Bacchus: One of the two major sculptures from Michelangelo's time in Rome, the Greek master Praxiteles may have inspired this statue, which depicts the Roman god of wine. • Moses: Part of his design for the tomb of Pope Julius II, this statue presents a mythic, classical Greek tone by depicting a horned Moses. • Rebellious Slave and Dying Slave: Two of Michelangelo's famous companion statues, intended to be part of Pope Julius II's tomb but not finished in time. The Dying Slave is based on one of the Greek iconic classical sculptures from just after the Hellenistic period.

Explore The Intrigue Behind the Venus de Milo

Entertainment Editor — Thu, 18 Aug 2011 09:23:00 GMT

Of the assorted mysteries surrounding many classical works of art, few are as fascinating as the intrigue behind the Venus de Milo. A number of unanswered questions surround this landmark work of classical Greek sculpture from the Hellenistic period. Its creator, date of origin and the facts of what happened to the statue's arms has remained unclear since 1820, when the Venus was discovered on the Greek island of Melos.

Intrigue Behind the Venus de Milo

In 1820, a Greek peasant and a French naval officer discovered the Venus de Milo in two pieces that were later reassembled. Controversy and mystery have followed the statue ever since. The sailor, Oliver Voutier, recognized the statue's worth and worked to bring it back to France. While waiting for Voutier to communicate with the French ambassador, the Greek man grew impatient and almost managed to sell the statue to a representative of the Ottoman Empire. After some dispute among the French and Turkish, the French acquired the statue and brought it back to the Louvre, where it has remained ever since.

Known Facts of the Venus de Milo

Despite the numerous mysteries that remain regarding the Venus de Milo, art historians and scholars have established some conclusions with a degree of certainty. The statue has been approximately dated to the later Hellenistic period of Greek classical sculpture, and more specifically to sometime around the year 100 B.C., in the Cyclades Islands region. This was established based on the level of artistry used in the sculpture's composition, which exceeds that of either the Archaic or Classical periods. It's believed that the sculpture was made in separate parts which were put together with vertical pegs. Through a careful examination of the statue, scholars have concluded that the Venus de Milo was once adorned with metal jewelry. Investigators found fixation holes where a bracelet, headband and earrings would have been stabilized. Like the Venus's arms, the jewelry was never found.

Mysteries of the Venus de Milo

Aside from the approximate date of origin and some facts regarding its composition, nearly every other aspect of the Venus de Milo remains the subject of scholarly debate. Some of these mysteries have been partially "solved," while others remain a complete mystery. No one has ever definitively stated the statue's identity. Many assume that it's Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love, due to the suggestive shape of its design and the partial nudity of the figure--most female figures other than goddesses were sculpted with clothes in Greek tradition. Other identities suggested for the sculpture include the goddesses Artemis and Amphitrite. It's generally believed that Alexandros of Antioch sculpted the Venus, according to an inscription on the statue's original pedestal. Until the discovery of this pedestal, called a plinth, the Venus had first been attributed to the Classical-era artist Praxiteles, a master of the Greek approach to classical sculpture.

An Introduction to Roman Portraiture Classical Sculptures

Entertainment Editor — Thu, 18 Aug 2011 09:23:00 GMT

Roman portraiture classical sculptures are some of the most significant pieces of classical Roman sculpture. Portraiture from the height of the Roman Empire's dominance, which lasted for several centuries, exerted a major influence on all sculpture that followed. Without the work of groundbreaking Roman artisans behind this particular style, sculpture as it exists in modern and contemporary art wouldn't be the same.

Roman Portraiture Classical Sculptures

The sculptural technique of portraiture in Rome took a number of cues from classical Greek sculpture, as is the case with the majority of Roman sculpture. Art from the Etruscan civilization, which shared the Italian peninsula with the Romans, also affected Roman sculpture and art. Other influences included Middle Eastern art and works by indigenous (non-Roman) Italian groups. Greek sculpture is the predominant influence, as artisans from the Classical and Hellenistic periods of Greek sculpture developed works that clearly point the way toward Roman portraiture. Once Rome had occupied Greece, native artists absorbed and improved upon the conquered nation's artistic techniques.

Major Advances in Roman Portraiture

The earliest examples of Roman portraiture kept closely to the Greek tradition of this form, which emphasized idealistic portrayals over realistic depictions. This remained the case during much of Rome's Imperial period. The Republican period of the Roman Empire marked major developments in the realism of portraiture. One of the causes of this was the role of wax death masks--plaster casts taken of the face of someone recently deceased. In these times, such masks were the only choice for those wishing to record the appearance of a dead loved one. This practice would be replicated in the portraiture of this era, which became intensely realistic, particularly compared to the romanticism of Greek portraiture. The importance of portraiture increased with Roman historical figures' desire to preserve their own images, particularly in the wake of major military victories or political achievements.

The Legacy of Roman Portraiture Classical Sculptures

Any introduction to classical sculpture will cover both Greek and Roman classical sculpture, sometimes indirectly elevating the importance of Greek sculpture over its Roman counterpart due to the derivative nature of early Roman sculpture. Roman portraiture stands apart in that scholars typically confirm it as a high point in classical sculpture, a form with precedent but without equal in terms of its artistic and historical value.

An Overview of Ancient Roman Classical Sculpture

Entertainment Editor — Thu, 18 Aug 2011 09:23:00 GMT

Ancient Roman classical sculpture has an intriguing history. Its origins lie entirely in derivative reproductions of ancient Greek works, yet its reputation is often considered nearly equal to Greek sculpture in historical, if not necessarily artistic value. Roman sculpture did progress beyond its derivative roots and eventually became a style distinct to the culture of the artisans who created it.

Ancient Roman Classical Sculpture

The development of Roman classical sculpture did not begin until the effective end of Greek sculpture and Greek society as a whole. Rome's military forces defeated those of Greece at the Battle of Corinth in the year 146 B.C. Following this defeat and occupation, many Greeks, including a number of sculptors and artists, left their homeland and settled in Rome. There, the artists found a demand for the Greek sculpture that impressed the Romans. Many Romans wanted copies of ancient Greek sculptures or works in a similar style. The expatriated Greek artists and the Roman native sculptors who followed the Greek lead fulfilled this demand. Despite the fact that such art was clearly a shadow of a preexisting style, it remained highly influential and led to the development of an original Roman style.

Portraiture: A Major Development in Roman Classical Sculpture

The sculptural technique of portraiture, where a bust of an important historical or religious figure's head and face are faithfully represented, existed before the beginnings of Roman classical sculpture. Yet Roman portraiture differs significantly from previous Greek examples of the technique and influenced sculpture's later development. Roman portraiture is historically and artistically significant for the level of detail present in the remaining examples of the form. The style became particularly important in Roman politics and society, as many prominent Roman figures commissioned busts of their faces.

The Decline of Roman Classical Sculpture

As the first few centuries A.D. went by, various cultural influences began to surface in Roman sculpture that in some ways subtracted from the distinct, original style Roman artisans had developed. Christian and Byzantine influences were quite strong, particularly in the late 200s and 300s, and they eventually took precedence. Existing Roman sculptures of this period did find a legacy in the sculptures of Michelangelo and numerous other Renaissance artists.

The Ancient Greek Approach to Classical Sculpture

Entertainment Editor — Thu, 18 Aug 2011 09:23:00 GMT

The Greek approach to classical sculpture developed over the course of three historical periods--Archaic, Classical and Hellenistic--which lasted from the 8th to the 1st centuries B.C.

Greek Approach to Classical Sculpture

The formative period of classical Greek sculpture took a great deal of influences from other major civilizations of the time, especially the Syrian and Egyptian. Syrian influences came first, and are visible in remaining Greek sculptures from the 7th century B.C. As the 7th century passed into the 6th, Greek artisans became aware of Egyptian sculptors and combined those influences into their existing style. Archaic Greek sculpture differed from the cultures that inspired its techniques in a number of ways. Male figures are frequently nude, while women are always clothed, opposing the Egyptian tradition where figures of either sex were depicted clothed. Greek sculptors further differed from their Syrian and Egyptian predecessors by using iron tools in sculpting--a technique the previous artists didn't employ.

Classical Period of Greek Sculpture

The Classical period of development in Greek sculpture is the shortest of the three periods, beginning in the 5th century B.C. and ending by the 4th. Despite its brevity, the period saw major developments in classical sculpting technique. Classical-era sculptures were more realistic than their Archaic predecessors, as sculptors made a concerted effort to represent the human form as accurately as possible. Sculpting technique evolved with the advent of modeling, in which sculptors would first make a rough attempt using clay and copy the work into stone. This helped lead to a more polished final result.

Greek Sculpture of the Hellenistic Period

During the Hellenistic period, which lasted from the 4th century to the 1st, sculptors moved away from pure realism to some degree, and instead began creating works more in line with their personal artistic vision. In some ways, the sculptural development of this time echoed the advances in Greek architecture, which had become quite sophisticated. Portraiture, a type of sculpture focusing on detailed representations of the face, arose in the Hellenistic period, and several of the world's most famous sculptures were created. Portraiture would exert a major influence on Roman classical sculpture, and the intrigue behind the Venus de Milo would become one of the art world's greatest mysteries.

An Introduction to Classical Sculpture

Entertainment Editor — Thu, 18 Aug 2011 09:23:00 GMT

Introduction to classical sculpture is widely considered one of the major categories in the field of ancient art. It's recognized for its historical value as well as its role in the development of modern and contemporary sculpture. Although notable sculptures existed before the historical peaks of the Greek and Roman empires, most academics consider the art of these two ancient civilizations to be an introduction to classical sculpture.

Introduction to Classical Sculpture

Classical sculpture occupied an important role in ancient societies. It could serve decorative, commemorative, architectural or religious purposes, and it became a prominent artistic discipline in both Greece and Rome. From a historical perspective, the significance of classical sculpture lies in its relative durability. Many sculptures from this time period still exist, thousands of years after their creation, something that cannot be said of many other ancient art objects. Many remaining pieces of ancient Greek and Roman sculptures are housed in the world's major history and art museums.

An Overview of Ancient Greek Sculpture

Most periods of artistic development in the history of classical sculpture pertain to ancient Greece. The earliest Greek period of this type, the Archaic period, begins in the 8th century B.C., and the last period, the Hellenistic, ends in the first century B.C. Only one of the classical sculpture periods is Roman, stretching approximately from the first century B.C. to about A.D. 200. The Archaic period of Greek classical sculpture derived major influences from Syrian and Egyptian sculptures. Greek artists used iron tools to improve their figures, resulting in more natural representations. This realism continued in the Classical and Hellenistic periods, when sculptors were able to achieve even greater degrees of realism. The "Venus de Milo," arguably one of the best-known surviving examples of classical sculpture in popular culture, is approximately dated to the Hellenistic period, as are well-known sculptures of gods such as the Nike of Samothrace, Aphrodite, Poseidon and Dionysus.

The Basics of Roman Sculpture

Scholars have proven that various works of Roman classical sculpture are actually copies of lost Greek sculptures. These include the Apollo Belvedere and Barberini Faun. This does not minimize the importance of such derivative sculptures, as the duplicates allow scholars to study Greek works that would be otherwise lost. Overall, Roman sculptures, such as highly detailed busts of gods and ancient historical figures, are renowned for their advances in portraiture.

Choosing the Right Location for Your Franchise Operation

Entertainment Editor — Thu, 18 Aug 2011 09:23:00 GMT

Choosing the right location for your franchise operation is critical to the success of your business in the long run.

Franchisee Roles and Responsibilities
Your responsibility as a franchisee is to find a good location for your branch of the company's operations. You may either buy a building and the land on it or rent a space in a building, in which case you pay for the security deposit and then take on the monthly lease.

As you shop, tally the monthly rentals, common area costs and utility costs. Franchisors may help you pay for leasehold improvements depending on the terms of your agreement.

Filling Out a Franchise Site Evaluation Form
As you assess potential locations for your franchise, fill out a franchise site evaluation form to organize the search. Record:

• Demographics: The population in the two-mile radius around the site is a critical point of review. Include size, median family income and the average values of apartments and homes in the area.

• Restrictions: Restrictions can include zoning, number of allowed parking places, the distance of the closest fire station and sign placement regulations.

• Site details: This may include any of the architectural and physical aspects of the business, such as square footage, window sizes, plumbing, electricity and accessibility.

• Surrounding Area: Review the neighborhood and commercial or shopping areas surrounding the site and major competition within one and a half miles of the site.

• Traffic: When assessing traffic around the site, tally the number of intersections and lanes on surrounding roads. Monitor the street conditions and peak times for traffic.

Obtaining Assistance in the Real Estate Search
Your franchise can help give you the staff and manuals to find the right site and good deals. It may provide selection assistance and accompany you on field visits. It may help during the professional contracting, design and construction process to make the space ideal and ready for opening on a strict schedule.

Franchising doesn't come without costs. You have to respect restrictions on the exact geographic market. You may not have control over whether other franchisees can sell near you after you open. Franchisors may open another franchise location near yours which could cut into potential sales.

To ascertain where and how you can open your franchise, get familiar with your rights and responsibilities under your franchise agreement.

Contemporary Ballet: A Fusion of Traditional and Modern Dance

Entertainment Editor — Thu, 18 Aug 2011 09:23:00 GMT

In the early 20th century, classical ballet was at a crossroads paving the way for contemporary ballet. While classical ballet was still popular and critically respected, it did not possess the massive cultural significance it boasted during the mid-to-late 19th century in Europe. Ballet innovators like George Balanchine, Robert Joffrey and Mikhail Baryshnikov changed this by creating the seminal works of modern and contemporary ballet. Some of these works retain many elements of classical ballet, while others noticeably skirt ballet's conventions.

Foundation of Contemporary Ballet: Neo-Classical

Numerous ballet masters of the early 20th century developed a style that would come to be known as neo-classical ballet--a fusion of classical ballet techniques and innovative methods unprecedented at the time of their debut. George Balanchine, a prolific choreographer trained in classical ballet, produced a founding example of neo-classical ballet with his work "Apollo" in 1928. Collaborating with the iconoclastic, experimental composer Igor Stravinsky, Balanchine made a ballet that fused a story common to traditional ballet--that of Greek god Apollo--with unconventional music and choreography that would become typical of jazz dance. Other major neoclassical works followed in this stylistic vein, such as Roland Petit's "Le Jeune Homme et la Mort" (1946) and Kenneth MacMillan's "Mayerling" (1978), both featuring disturbing subject matter and inventive music.

The Contemporary Ballet Work of Mikhail Baryshnikov

Mikhail Baryshnikov is one of the 20th century's most esteemed ballet dancers, known for his mastery of both traditional techniques and experimental choreography. A Russian native who defected to the United States in 1974, Baryshnikov made a name for himself as one of ballet's best and brightest talents upon his American debut with the American Ballet Theater (ABT). Baryshnikov assumed artistic control of the ABT in 1980 and steered it in a decidedly contemporary direction. His foundation of the White Oak Project in 1990 continued his dedication to the intertwining of classical Russian ballet and modern dance.

Robert Joffrey and the Joffrey Ballet

The Joffrey Ballet Company is widely regarded as one of the preeminent companies devoted to contemporary ballet in the United States. Founded in 1956 by Robert Joffrey and Gerald Arpino, who directed from 1988 to 2007, Joffrey's split focus between lost masterworks of classical ballet and radical experiments in modern dance has earned the company praise throughout its history. From its modest start as a six-member New York City troupe, the Joffrey quickly caught attention, and performed for President John F. Kennedy at his wife Jacqueline's insistence. Praise came for the Joffrey's contemporary work, such as Arpino's rock ballet "Trinity" and their revivals of work by landmark Russian ballet master Sergei Diaghilev. Since 1995, the Joffrey has been based in Chicago, Illinois, where the company's members constantly work to match--and surpass--the work of the most famous classical ballerinas and dancers.

The Most Influential Classical Ballet Choreographers

Entertainment Editor — Thu, 18 Aug 2011 09:23:00 GMT

Classical ballet is an intriguing, multifaceted art form, intensely collaborative despite regularly spotlighting the talents of individual dancers. The finest ballets in the form's history are the result of close collaborations between talented dancers and the most significant, influential classical ballet choreographers. Without skillful choreography, ballet would have little of its grace and artistic value.

Classical Ballet Choreographers: Jean-Georges Noverre

Significant innovations in ballet's history predate the 18th century work of Jean-Georges Noverre, such as Pierre Beauchamp's popularization of the five positions of the feet and other ballet techniques. Noverre's work is nonetheless significantly groundbreaking, as he established the concept of ballet as an art form on par with the greatest examples of theater and opera. Noverre is well-known as both a choreographer and storyteller in the ballet world, writing approximately 150 ballets during his lifetime, though none of his original works survive. His written legacy is preserved through his instructive work "Les Lettres Sur La Danse," which outlines his beliefs in ballet as a vehicle for poignant storytelling, and some of the techniques used in his choreography.

The Legendary Choreography of Marius Petipa

In the 19th century, numerous developments in ballet's history took place--the Danish technique innovations of August Bournonville and the seminal work of Pierina Legrani, considered one of the greatest ballet dancers in history. One of Legrani's greatest collaborators was the choreographer Marius Petipa, a French ballet master who revolutionized the form. Petipa came from a family of ballet talents. His father, Jean Petipa, nurtured Marius and his brother Lucien into skilled dancers. Marius Petipa is best known as a choreographer, and worked successfully in Russia throughout most of the second half of the 19th century. He achieved critical and popular success first in 1862 with "The Pharaoh's Daughter," and during the three decades that followed, produced enduring ballet classics such as "Don Quixote," "La Bayadere," "Sleeping Beauty" and his version of Tchaikovsky's "Swan Lake." His production of "Cinderella" with Pierina Legrani secured Legrani's unassailable reputation as one of the world's greatest dancers.

George Balanchine: Choreography Legend of the New York City Ballet

George Balanchine's ballet career began as a student in his native Russia at the Imperial School and continued as a choreographer working with talents such as Sergei Diaghilev. He's known as a massively prolific ballet master, choreographing more than 300 ballets, and for founding the New York City Ballet (NYCB) in 1948. Balanchine's version of "The Nutcracker," debuting in 1954, is considered an annual tradition of the NYCB, attracting audiences from all over the United States. He staged successful interpretations of established ballets such as "Don Quixote" and "Swan Lake," both staples of repertoires at classical ballet competitions throughout the world, along with original works like "Western Symphony" and "Square Dance."

Notable and Famous Classical Ballerinas

Entertainment Editor — Thu, 18 Aug 2011 09:23:00 GMT

Some of the dancers important to the development of classical ballet date back as far as the 17th and 18th centuries, while others earned their fame in the 19th and 20th centuries. The most famous classical ballerinas were icons who defined the discipline of ballet in the popular artistic culture of the world, and range from 18th century progenitors of now-established techniques to more modern innovators.

Famous Classical Ballerinas: 18th Century

The French ballerinas Marie Camargo and Marie Salle are two of the earliest dancers in classical ballet to have something approaching celebrity status. The ballerinas emerged in the early decades of the 18th century and remained fierce rivals throughout their careers. Camargo debuted in 1726, while Salle debuted the following year. Both dancers found considerable acclaim immediately, sparking their competition. Camargo earned notice for her elegant, stately technique and for using a shorter-than-average skirt--a development echoed in ballet costuming for women ever since. Salle found major acclaim for her 1733 performance of "Pygmalion" where she wore a simple, common costume rather than an elaborate dress, in keeping with her belief in dance as a natural expression. Seven years later, Salle retired from ballet. One year later, in 1741, Camargo returned to ballet after a four-year absence and danced for 10 more years to consistent praise.

Marie Taglioni: A Pioneering Ballerina of the 19th Century

By the 19th century, ballet had become wildly popular and respected in Russia, Italy and France. Marie Taglioni, a product of classical ballet's Romantic period, is partially responsible for Russia's idolization of ballet culture and the ballerina's status as the defining symbol of ballet. Taglioni found major success during her three-year tenure as a featured dancer in St. Petersburg, Russia from 1837 to 1839. Patrons came in droves to see her pioneering pointe work and graceful stage presence. According to legend, several devoted Taglioni fans purchased, cooked and ate a pair of her pointe shoes following her final performance.

Pierina Legnani: A Legendary Prima Ballerina

The turn of the 20th century is one of the final periods of truly classical ballet, as neoclassical and contemporary forms began to emerge. Pierina Legnani was one of the greatest ballerinas of this final classical period. Legnani's introduction to ballet legend came when she earned the designation of "prima ballerina assoluta" from her ballet master and collaborator Marius Petipa. That phrase, loosely meaning "the absolute greatest ballerina," entered ballet culture and has since only been used to refer to 10 other dancers as of 2011.