Charioteer of Delphi, Rear Head & Torso

Alternative Title

Heniokhos

Creator

• Pythagoras of Rhegion Sculptor

Files

Publisher

Saskia, Ltd., Cultural Documentation

Publication Date

1966

Time Period

475-470 BCE

Abstract

View of body from rear right

Keywords

Greek Classical period, Statues, Sculpture (Visual works), Bronze, Severe Style (Greek sculpture style), Inlays (Decorations)

Alt Text

A statue of a figure wearing a draped garment, viewed from the back with curly hair and a headband. The sculpture is made of dark material and stands against a plain background.

Extent

1 color photograph

Geographic Location

Greece; Delphoi (Greece); Sanctuary of Apollo (Delphoi, Greece)

Rights

This material is licensed by USF Libraries for the research and teaching needs of USF students, staff, and faculty only. See: https://lib.usf.edu/collections-and-discovery/collection-management/user-terms/

Access Restrictions

Only thumbnail images and descriptive information are available to non-USF users. Full access to this collection is available only to authorized users on the USF network on campus or via VPN.

Media Type

Color photographs

Format

Digital Only

Note

Inscription on base that says, "Polyzalus dedicated me. ... Make him prosper, honored Apollo"
This is an ancient Greek bronze sculpture dating to circa 470 BCE. It stands at 1.8 meters in height, and would have originally been part of a larger sculptural group that included a chariot, horse, and child attendants. Fragments of these portions were recovered amongst the ruins. This work was dedicated at the Sanctuary of Apollo at Delph, a revered religious site of the Ancient Greek world. The figure represents an ephebe, or young noble wearing a characteristic sleeved tunic. This rendering is after the race has been finished, during the victory parade, adorned in the champion's headband. His gaze is turned slightly to the left, and his hands are modeled in great detail, with the fingers still curving around the reigns of the horse. This piece was able to be preserved due to being buried in the debris of a major earthquake in 373 BCE. The statue was uncovered in 1896 during excavations at Delphi. It is considered a prime example of the 'Severe Style' with naturalistic rendering of the human form, combined with a restrained, dignified expression, illustrating the transition from the stylized Archaic kouros figures to the more realistic representations of the Classical period. The eyes are inlaid glass. An inscription on the limestone base of the statue indicates that it was dedicated by Polyzalus, the tyrant of Gela, a Greek colony in Sicily, as a tribute to Apollo for helping him to win the chariot race. This object is currently held at the Delphi Archaeological Museum, Greece.

Identifier

A01-JGC0361

Recommended Citation

of Rhegion, Pythagoras Sculptor, "Charioteer of Delphi, Rear Head & Torso" (1966). Art and Art History Collection (Saskia). 386.
https://digitalcommons.usf.edu/saskia/386