
The Discobolus
The discus-thrower (Gk. discobolus) has become the iconic image of the Olympic Games, and a fantastic representation of the athletic ideal. The original Greek statue was cast in bronze in the mid-fifth century BC and continued to be much admired as a masterpiece into Roman times, when several copies were made before the original was lost. Thus the Discobolus image lives-on today as one of the most famous sculptures from ancient times.
The original Discobolus is attributed to the Greek sculptor Myron, a contemporary of Pheidias and Polykleitos and famous in antiquity for his representations of athletes. His discus-thrower was admired not only for the way it conveys movement and action in a single pose, but also for capturing Greek ideals about proportion, harmony, rhythm and balance. Experts since antiquity have noted how the fluidity of movement in the body combines with a calm expression on the face, as if the thrower has achieved a perfect state of control in mind, body and spirit. Or did Myron’s desire for perfection lead him to suppress the thrower’s emotions?
Roman versions of the Discobolus adorned numerous villas as a symbol of the cultured taste and status of the owner. One of the most famous is the Palombara Discobolus from Rome, now on display in the National Museum of Rome. This statue was notoriously sold to Adolf Hitler in 1938 as a trophy of the Aryan race, but returned to Italy in 1948.
Another Roman version, known as the Townley Discobolus, was pictured on the official poster for the London Olympics in 1948. It is now in the British Museum.
HIDDEN HISTORY RECOMMENDS:
Book: “The Discobolus” by Ian Jenkins. London, The British Museum Press, 2012. This concise and beautifully illustrated book tells the story of the Discobolus both as an archaeological artefact and bearer of meaning.
Tour: Visit the site of the original Olympic games on Hidden History’s tour of ancient Greece. Click here
seth domingues
28/11/2020 at 4:38 amdo you know what the “Bow of life” is? I’m referring to the angles at which the arms are arranged. I’d love to find out more about it but I can’t seem to find a credible source discussing it.
Simon Butler
29/01/2022 at 3:29 pmHi Seth, that’s not a term I’m familiar with. Sounds interesting though. Simon.
Xiena Crisostomo
10/11/2020 at 3:55 amWho is the artist of this sculpture(myron the discobulus)?
Simon Butler
29/01/2022 at 3:27 pmHi Xiena, The original Discobolus is attributed to the Greek sculptor Myron, a contemporary of Pheidias and Polykleitos and famous in antiquity for his representations of athletes. Simon.
Anonymous
28/10/2020 at 12:19 pmWhat Humanism as represented in Discobolus *
Leagalo
29/11/2020 at 11:31 pmWhat is the mood of of the artwork of the discobulos
Simon Butler
29/01/2022 at 3:42 pmHi Leagalo, to me his face looks very composed, as if he is in a state of harmony of mind, body and spirit. Perhaps the arete to which ancient Greeks aspired? But is this what the artist meant?
Fernan lebantino jr
26/10/2020 at 5:48 pmWhat is the symbol of myron?
Simon Butler
28/10/2020 at 9:10 amHi Fernan, an interesting question.
I am not aware of any particular symbol of the the ancient Greek sculptor Myron. Although, of course, his discobolus sculpture can be seen to symbolise or represent many things, such as athleticism, harmony, balance and proportion. It has also been used to represent homoeroticism, and by the Nazis as a symbol of their “master race”. There are also other Myrons in history, and the name itself has different meanings in different cultures. I would be interested to know what you discover.
With best regards, Simon Butler
lalalalalalala
08/12/2020 at 12:17 pmI think it’s eleutherae? I’m not sure.
Artlover :))
13/10/2020 at 11:04 pmSuper great! Have to write my midterm about this, thanks!
Madisynn
14/09/2020 at 8:53 pmThis is very helpful for me. I have an art project on this.
Cess
18/09/2020 at 11:52 amare you from Pisay?
Anonymous
29/02/2020 at 3:00 amthanks this helped a-lot with school