Discobolus
Ancient Greek sculpture of a discus thrower by Myron.
The Discobolus ("discus thrower", Greek: Δισκοβόλος, Diskobólos) is an ancient Greek sculpture by Myron, completed at the start of the Classical period in around 460–450 BC. It depicts an ancient Greek athlete throwing a discus. Though the original Greek bronze cast is lost, the work is known through numerous Roman copies, both full-scale ones in marble and smaller scaled versions in bronze.
- artist
- Myron
- date
- c. 460–450 BC
- medium
- Original bronze (lost); known through Roman marble and bronze copies
- subject
- Ancient Greek athlete throwing a discus
- period
- Classical period
- known_for
- Conveying a sense of movement at the moment of maximum tension within a static medium
Lore & Background
The Discobolus was long known from descriptions, such as the dialogue in Lucian of Samosata's work Philopseudes. Prior to the statue's discovery, the term Discobolus had been applied in the 17th and 18th centuries to a standing figure holding a discus, a Discophoros, which Ennio Quirino Visconti identified as the Discobolus of Naukydes of Argos. The Discobolus Palombara, the first copy discovered, was found in 1781. It is a 1st-century AD copy of Myron's original bronze. Following its discovery at a Roman property of the Massimo family, the Villa Palombara on the Esquiline Hill, it was initially restored by Giuseppe Angelini. The Italian archaeologist Giovanni Battista Visconti identified the sculpture as a copy from the original of Myron. In 1937, Adolf Hitler negotiated to buy it, and eventually succeeded in 1938, when Galeazzo Ciano sold it to him for five million lire. It was shipped by rail to Munich and displayed in the Glyptothek; it was returned in 1948. It is now in the National Museum of Rome, displayed at the Palazzo Massimo.
Reader's Guide
Myron's Discobolus is significant for its innovative depiction of movement within a static medium, capturing the athlete at the moment of maximum tension and splendor. The sculpture embodies the Greek philosophy of kalokagathia, the harmonious development of body and mind, where physical beauty and prowess were celebrated as integral components of a virtuous life. Myron is often credited with being the first sculptor to master this style. The work's contrapposto stance and careful proportioning (symmetria) mark an advancement from Archaic sculpture. The Discobolus has influenced later art and was widely copied in antiquity and modern times. Its discovery in the 18th century sparked scholarly interest and led to debates over authenticity and restoration. The sculpture's legacy includes its use as a symbol of athletic energy and its presence in major museum collections, such as the British Museum and the National Museum of Rome.
Did You Know?
- The original Greek bronze cast of the Discobolus is lost; it is known only through Roman copies.
- The Discobolus Palombara, the first copy discovered, was found in 1781 on the Esquiline Hill in Rome.
- Adolf Hitler purchased the Discobolus Palombara in 1938 for five million lire; it was returned in 1948.
- A plastinated human corpse posed like the Discobolus appears in the exhibition 'Bodies: The Exhibition'.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who sculpted the Discobolus and when was it made?
The Discobolus was created by the Greek sculptor Myron around 460–450 BC, placing it right at the dawn of the Classical period in Greek art.
What does the Discobolus depict?
It portrays a Greek athlete frozen in the split second just before releasing a discus, capturing the peak of physical tension in the throwing motion.
Why is the Discobolus considered significant in art history?
It became celebrated for its ability to suggest dynamic movement and the instant of maximum strain within a completely still, solid medium, setting a benchmark for later sculptors.
Where can you see the Discobolus today?
The original bronze no longer exists, but the statue survives through multiple Roman-era reproductions in both full-size marble and smaller bronze casts held in various museums.
What happened to Myron's original bronze Discobolus?
The original Greek bronze has been lost to history, and everything we know of the work comes from the Roman copies made after the fact.
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