Title
Preview
Class Name and Date
Art 230: Ancient Art. Fall 2015
Format Type
Sculpture
Time Period
Classical Period
Theme
The Figure in High Classical Greek Sculpture
Media
Marble
Dimensions
1.55m (5ft 1in) H
Description
450 B.C
The word “Diskobolos” means discus thrower in Greek. The Diskobolos statue, by Myron, shows a nude athlete throwing a discus. The discus throw was an event in the Pentathlon in the Olympics.[1] The Diskobolos is from the year 450 BCE placing it in the end of the Early Classical period and the beginning of the High Classical period.[2] The original Greek statue was made out of bronze, but it has since been lost; this version is a Roman copy.[3]
This sculpture follows the Greek interest in humanism and capturing the perfect human form. The features remain generic and blank so that the focus is on the body rather than the face or internal emotions. This statue shows the important place athletes held in Greek culture.
The Diskobolos is posed mid-throw. His right foot is firmly planted in front while his left curls up onto its toes. His torso and head are turned to the right as his right arm pulls back the discus. The pose is very unique and new for the period; however, this statue can only be realistically seen from one angle because it is framed within 2 to 3 planes. [4] The planes enclose the statue limiting the variety of views the statue has. The pose allows the artist to show off his knowledge of human anatomy. The stomach models realistic contortions with the skin folds as he bends forward. His twisting torso accurately shows how the muscles stretch when he pulls his arm backwards with the discus. The Diskobolos’ anatomy shows consistent realism with the modeling of the muscles and the careful rendering of the appendages down to the toenails and fingernails.
The Severe Style is seen in the Diskobolos statue; the Severe Style existed mainly in the Early Classical period. The Diskobolos’ hair is short and models the skull, which is a characteristic of the Severe Style.[5] His blank expression is a common theme in Classical Greek art and another element of the Severe Style.[6] He stares to the side with no outward expression of concentration or strain towards his actions. His features are symmetrical and generic. With the generic and expressionless features, the point of interest is his body.
This statue is a Roman copy made out of marble. The issue of balancing and supporting the marble sculpture is countered with a minimally decorated post still attached to the left leg that remains from the original stone block. The left hand is still connected to the right leg with a marble section that was not carved away.
This piece was most likely used for decoration. The subject is a discus thrower an athlete who could have competed in the Greek games. The Olympics was a very important event to the Greeks. They paused wars and conflicts so that their athletes could travel to compete.[7] The Diskobolos statue celebrates the skill of the athletes and the spirit of the games. The careful attention to the anatomy highlights the Greek value of humanism. The subject is the epitome of male fitness; his pose shows off his form while his athleticism reminds the viewer of his skill. This piece honors the Greek ideals and the technical skill of their athletes. The Diskobolos reinforces importance of athletes in Greek society and art.
Works Cited
- Archino, Sarah. “ART 230: Early Classical Greek Lecture.” Lecture at Furman University, Greenville, SC, November, 6-11, 2015.
- Pedley, John Griffiths. Greek Art and Archaeology. Upper Saddle River: Pearson Education Inc., 2012.
[1] Sarah Archino, “ART 230: Early Classical Greek Lecture” (lecture at Furman University, Greenville, South Carolina, November, 6-11, 2015).
[2] John Griffiths Pedley, Greek Art and Archaeology, (Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education, Inc., 2012), 232.
[3] John Griffiths Pedley, Greek Art and Archaeology, (Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education, Inc., 2012), 232.
[4] John Griffiths Pedley, Greek Art and Archaeology, (Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education, Inc., 2012), 232.
[5] John Griffiths Pedley, Greek Art and Archaeology, (Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education, Inc., 2012), 209.
[6] John Griffiths Pedley, Greek Art and Archaeology, (Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education, Inc., 2012), 209.
[7] Sarah Archino, “ART 230: Early Classical Greek Lecture” (lecture at Furman University, Greenville, South Carolina, November, 6-11, 2015).