MID TERM Assignment

Submitted by: Zainab Ayaz

Submitted to: Ms.Irum Malik

Submission date: 24-May-2021

Roll-No: 503-2018

Department: Arts and Design

Subject: History of Arts

Topic:

Write an essay on the characteristic features of the sculpture

“Discobolus”
Introduction:
Discobolus is a sculpture completed in the ancient period of Greek around 460-450 BC. This
sculpture is made by Myron. This sculpture depicts the youthful male athlete throwing discus.
The original Greek bronze is lost but the work is known through numerous Roman copies.

Myron:
Myron is considered to be one of the most talented Greek sculptors of his time. His works
include an Athena and Maryssa statue that once stood at the acropolis of Athens. His most
famous work has been recognized across the world and was referenced in Lucian’s
Philopseudes.
Features:
By observing the sculpture, some features can be discovered.
 The Discobolus is a physically gorgeous, young male athlete frozen in the pose of
launching his disc
 Discobolus’s right hand is lifted up and back and in it he grasps a large discus
 Ducking down
 Bending knees form an “S” shape
 Weight is shifted to right foot
1
  Uses left toe as the supporting point
 Main body has counter clockwise turning
 His face does not showing any tension rather expressionless and emotionless with thick-
lidded, almond-shaped eyes, full lips
 This sculpture or statue were decorated in flat color
 His wavy hair is cropped
 The muscles and rib cage are well-articulated
 Themes are more like realism and idealism
 It is a TRANSITIONAL sculpture of the time when the severe style is popular
 His torso and head are turned to the right
 This sculpture reveals Greek values and shows real life through art, and showing success
and motion, creating angles of symmetry, and the values of the human body.
 It capturing Greek ideals about proportion, harmony, rhythm and balance.
 The Diskobolus statue celebrates the skill of the athletes and the spirit of the games.
 The subject is this sculpture is male fitness.
 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.


Nude Sculpture in Greek Art:

Nude sculpture was the main aspects of Greek period which are assume to be related to frequent
battles and athletic sports.
From ancient Greek viewpoint a man should have dominant muscles and they took off their
clothes to display their body in many religious activities and celebrations.

Copies of Discobolus:
The statue was so admired that’s why Roman sculptors made multiple marble copies of Myron’s
Discobolus. Two of the most well-known statues are dated to the 2nd century B.C. They include
the Tawney Discobolus and the Lancelot Discobolus. The marble statues are roughly the same
size, measuring 1.7 meters in height and 1050 millimeters wide12.

The End