Date

450-440 BC

Provenance

Unknown

Material

Marble

Attribution

Myron

Authenticity

Marble copy of Greek bronze original

Subject Matter

Discus thrower (at point where he has taken the discus back as far as it will he before releasing it)

Anatomy

Small, close locks of hair.

Severe expression (appropriate as he is concentrating on the task at hand).

Muscular body – pectorals, biceps and ribs are clearly shown as is his “six pack”.

It is argued by Susan Woodford that the torso does not respond to the movement of the limbs (similar to God of Artemisium).

Very muscular thighs and calves.

Pattern and Proportion

Pattern is created by the hair, the circular discus (which draws the eye) and the great arc created by the arms.

Pose and Realism

A momentary action pose – someone who is captured in the middle of action.

Shoulders are shown full frontal but the legs are in profile (from the side).

From the front, both symmetry and repetition are avoided.

Asymmetrical pose based around the curve of the discus thrower’s arms.

In opposition to the zigzag formed by the left side of the body.

Drapery

Nude.

Emotion

Severe expression.

Appropriate for the task at hand.