Statuette of an athlete
Unknown Artist
5th century BCE
Medium
Bronze
Dimensions
H.: 3 x 1 1/2 x 2 3/8 in. (7.6 x 3.8 x 6 cm)
Classification
Bronzes
Culture & Period
Greek or Etruscan · Classical
Department
Greek and Roman Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Fletcher Fund, 1937
Accession Number
37.11.20
Tags
Art Historical Context
This exquisite bronze statuette of an athlete, dating to the 5th century BCE, captures the Classical ideal of the human form during a golden age of Greek or Etruscan artistry. Standing just 3 inches tall, the unknown artist crafted this male nude figure in a poised, contrapposto stance—weight shifted to one leg, evoking natural movement and vitality. Such small-scale bronzes were prized in antiquity, likely serving as votive offerings at sanctuaries, personal talismans, or decorative pieces in elite homes, reflecting the era's reverence for physical perfection and athletic prowess. Bronze, a ...