Athlete Making an Offering
Unknown Artist
c. 450–425 BCE
Medium
bronze (hollow cast)
Dimensions
{"overall":{"height":0.21},"without tang":{"height":0.198}}
Classification
Sculpture
Department
Greek and Roman Art
Museum
Cleveland Museum of Art
Credit
Gift of the Hanna Fund
Accession Number
1955.684
About this artwork
Standing in a classic contrapposto pose, with one leg straight and weight-bearing, the other bent and relaxed, this athlete pauses after victory. He turns his head gently, looking down to make an offering with his lost right hand. At the sites of their victories and in their home cities, champion athletes were often honored with such sculptures, glorifying the strength and beauty of the male form at both small and large scale.