Discobolus (Discus Thrower) - Lancellotti and Castel Porziano types
Freestanding sculpture, marble carved in the round • After Myron of Eleutherae
Style & Movement
Roman copy of a Greek Classical (High Classical) original
Medium & Technique
White marble, subtractive carving technique with use of drills for hair and support struts
Creation Period
2nd Century AD (Roman Imperial period copies of 5th Century BC Greek bronze originals)
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 155 cm (life-size height), vertical monochromatic format on circular pedestal
Subject Description
A youthful male athlete in the moment of poise before releasing a discus. The composition is famous for its 'rhythmos'—a sense of harmony and balance in a dynamic pose, creating an 'S' curve. It represents the Greek ideal of 'kalokagathia' (nobility of mind and beauty of body).
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Good (Right: Excellent restoration/reconstruction. Left: Fragmentary/Torso only with structural supports)
Estimated Market Value
Priceless / Institutional Heritage (Commercial value for a verified 2nd Century marble of this quality would exceed $5,000,000 - $10,000,000)
Auction Estimate
N/A - Museum Property
Provenance History
Excavated in Italy (Lancellotti found at Esquiline Hill in 1781; Castel Porziano found in 1906). Various museum collections including the Museo Nazionale Romano (Palazzo Massimo alle Terme).
Art Historical Significance
One of the most iconic images of Western art. It marks the High Classical transition toward capturing movement and anatomical perfection. The Lancellotti version is particularly significant as the most complete and faithful copy of Myron's lost bronze original, showing the head correctly facing the discus.
Notable Features
The presence of a tree trunk support (strut) which is a characteristic addition by Roman marble copyists to support the weight of the stone, which was not necessary for the original bronze.
Condition Issues
Visible losses to limbs on the left torso; the right figure shows historic restorations on the arms and discus; minor surface abrasion and calcification consistent with burial and age.
Conservation Recommendations
Climate-controlled interior environment, dust monitoring, and prohibition of direct physical contact to prevent oil transfer and marble degradation.