Callimachus (sculptor)

Callimachus (Ancient Greek: Καλλίμαχος Kallímakhos) was an architect and sculptor working in the second half of the 5th century BC in the manner established by Polyclitus.

According to Vitruvius (iv.1), for his great ingenuity and taste the Athenians dubbed Callimachus katatêxitechnos (literally, 'finding fault with one's own craftsmanship': perfectionist).

His reputation in the 2nd century AD was reported in an aside by Pausanias as one "although not of the first rank of artists, was yet of unparalleled cleverness, so that he was the first to drill holes through stones"—that is, in order to enhance surface effects of light and shade in locks of hair, foliage and other details.

Just then Callimachus, whom the Athenians called katatêxitechnos for the refinement and delicacy of his artistic work, passed by this tomb and observed the basket with the tender young leaves growing round it.

He created his chryselephantine sculptures by using a core of wood or other materials, which was then covered with thin sheets of ivory and gold leaf.

[2] Callimachus was also part of a team if expert craftsmen including Phidias, who together are credited for the construction of the Athena Parthenos statue in Athens.

An inscription[4] from Aigai of the late 5th century BC may be attributed to some work of Callimachus and the time when Archelaus invited artists to Macedon.