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Statuette of an Athlete

510–500 BCE
bronze (solid cast)
Overall: 21.5 cm (8 7/16 in.)
Weight: 1.814 kg (4 lbs.)
John L. Severance Fund 2000.6
Location: not on view
Public Domain
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This robust athlete exudes power, despite his damaged feet and missing hands.

Description

Striding forward with his right arm raised behind his head, this powerful figure conveys a naturalistic sense of form and movement associated with Greek sculpture created around 500 BC. Even without its right hand and the object it once held, other features of this statuette—especially its strong physique, posture, and clean-shaven face—all suggest that it represents an athlete, likely preparing to throw a javelin. For while the gods Zeus and Poseidon also strike similar poses in small bronzes of the period (holding a thunderbolt or trident, respectively), these gods would be bearded.
Statuette of an Athlete

Statuette of an Athlete

510–500 BCE

Greece, Peloponnesus, late archaic - early classical period

See Also

Videos

Victorious Athlete

The Classical Moment

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