contrapposto

[ kohn-truh-pos-toh ]
/ ˌkoʊn trəˈpɒs toʊ /

noun, plural con·trap·pos·tos. Fine Arts.

a representation of the human body in which the forms are organized on a varying or curving axis to provide an asymmetrical balance to the figure.

Origin of contrapposto

1900–05; < Italian < Latin contrāpositus, past participle of contrāpōnere to place against. See contra1, posit

British Dictionary definitions for contrapposto

contrapposto
/ (ˌkɒntrəˈpɒstəʊ) /

noun plural -tos

(in the visual arts) a curving or asymmetrical arrangement of the human figure with the shoulders, hips, and legs in different planes

Word Origin for contrapposto

C20: from Italian, from the past participle of contrapporre, from Latin contra contra- + pōnere to place