"Discobolus": sculpture of Myron.

Ancient Greek culture - one of the greatest achievements of the ancient era, had a direct impact on the further development of the entire human society. People who inhabited the lands of Hellas left many descendants of their material and spiritual art. Especially the Greeks succeeded in creating sculptural compositions. Ancient statues, preserved to this day, amaze with their beauty, harmony and majesty.

The most famous example of ancient Greek art is Discobol - a bronze statue depicting a young athlete during sports competitions. The date of the creation of this ancient masterpiece is considered by historians to be the middle of the fifth century BC. E. - the period of the highest heyday of Athens. The original statue disappeared without a trace in the Middle Ages, but several copies of it, dating back to the times of the Roman Empire, were preserved.

Some facts from the life of Myron

For today it is for certain known who is the author of the sculpture "Discobolus". The name of the statue is associated with the name of Myron - the famous master who lived and worked in Athens in the V century BC. E. About the sculptor very little is known . Years of his life and death historians could not determine. There is information that he was born in Eleffer, a small town located between Attica and Beotika, later moved to Athens, where he was awarded the title of citizen of the city (this title was given only to outstanding people). Teacher of the creator of "Discobolus" was a talented sculptor Agelad from Argos. Miron was considered a popular master, he received many orders from all Greek regions. His authorship includes many statues of ancient Greek heroes and gods, including the figures of Hercules, Zeus and Athena on the island of Samos, the statue of Apollo in Ephesus, a number of sculptural compositions in Argos, the monument to Perseus in the Acropolis of Athens and many other works of art.

Was engaged in Miron and jewelry business. His contemporaries left information that he was making vessels of silver.

The connection of ancient culture with sport

Despite the fact that Miron left behind a large number of statues, the most famous of them all is "Disco". Sculpture, depicting a beautiful, physically developed athlete, is considered the first ancient monument that captures a person at the time of movement. The ancient Greeks highly esteemed the sport. They were convinced that life was born out of competition and struggle. Not surprisingly, the Olympic Games appeared in this country. The theme of the sport was favorite for many antique sculptors. Did not stay away from her and Miron. In his works the author skillfully conveyed the perfection, beauty and strength of the athletic man's body. The peak of Myron's skill was Discobol. The author of the sculpture made it so realistic that it seems as if the figure of a young man frozen for a moment now comes to life and will continue to move.

Description of the sculpture

It is not known exactly who Miron depicted in the statue "Disco". Sculpture could be dedicated to the winner of sports: this opinion is inclined to most researchers of ancient culture. Miron captured in the bronze fragment of wrestling, when the naked boy bent forward and took his hand back, in order to swing and throw the disc as far as possible. Extreme tension is felt in the whole figure of the athlete.

Despite the fact that the disk thrower is frozen, his whole body is impregnated with movement: his hands are in a position of a strong swing, his feet are literally pressed into the ground, every muscle is visible on the inflated torso. The athlete is depicted in a position in which more than two to three seconds is impossible. This causes viewers to feel that he will change position at any second, the disk will break out of his right hand and swiftly fly to the goal. Although the figure of the athlete is tense, she seems light and natural. In contrast to the body, the young man's face is extremely calm and concentrated. It looks faceless, without individual traits, which is why some historians suggest that the depicted athlete is a collective image of an ideal person of the times of antiquity.

Features of sculpture

What is the value of the statue of "Disco"? The author of the sculpture was able to convey the dynamics in it, that no master could do before him. Attempts to depict the human figure in motion were made before Miron, but all of them were unsuccessful.

Disc throwers from sculptors of an earlier period turned out to be bound and frozen. They were always represented in the form of athletes standing in the pose of the winner with a forwarded foot. It was impossible to understand the figure of a man by what kind of competition he was engaged in. Miron was the first who managed to create a statue of an athlete during the competition, breathing into the bronze energy and excitement of the game.

The historical significance of the statue

"Discobolus" is a sculpture by Myron, which perfectly reflects the ideal ancient man with such inherent features as strength, purposefulness, calmness, harmony. The ancient Greek athlete in all its appearance symbolizes the desire for victory, accompanied by concentration and genuine Olympic tranquility.