Delphi - The Charioteer, VIII
The head is rather small, approximately 11 percent of the height of the whole figure. Perhaps the elongated body was intended to compensate for the part of the figure that was concealed within the chariot; otherwise the figure might not have seemed to dominate the excited horses. The face, turning to the right on a tense, heavy neck and framed by projecting curls at the sides, is smooth and beardless, with remarkably regular, generalized features. This is certainly not intended to be a portrait of a specific individual: it should be seen more broadly as a youthful, victorious charioteer. Long flat cheeks descend to a strong chin. The lips are full and sober and slightly parted, revealing teeth that appear to be silver. A straight nose divides the face, and from it curve fine, regular inlaid brows. The wide eyes are fully preserved: rimmed with inset bronze lashes, they are inlaid with white paste set with chestnut-colored irises and black onyx pupils. Their intensity is surprising only because we are used to seeing bronzes that no longer have the eyes. Although the bronze statue now has a green patina. the surface is otherwise beautifully preserved, and it is easy to imagine the effect of the fixed dark inlaid eyes in the gleaming, reflective surface of the new bronze statue. No emotion registers here, and the blank, seemingly unfocused gaze repeats the lack of characterization in the other facial features and gives the Charioteer a certain remoteness, or what might be defined as the inner concentration of an athlete.
Source: Carol C. Mattusch, “Greek Bronze Statuary: From the Beginnings Through the Fifth Century B.C.”
Bronze sculpture
Height 1.80 m
Early classical period
470-450 B.C.
Delphi, Archaeological Museum
Delphi - The Charioteer, VIII
The head is rather small, approximately 11 percent of the height of the whole figure. Perhaps the elongated body was intended to compensate for the part of the figure that was concealed within the chariot; otherwise the figure might not have seemed to dominate the excited horses. The face, turning to the right on a tense, heavy neck and framed by projecting curls at the sides, is smooth and beardless, with remarkably regular, generalized features. This is certainly not intended to be a portrait of a specific individual: it should be seen more broadly as a youthful, victorious charioteer. Long flat cheeks descend to a strong chin. The lips are full and sober and slightly parted, revealing teeth that appear to be silver. A straight nose divides the face, and from it curve fine, regular inlaid brows. The wide eyes are fully preserved: rimmed with inset bronze lashes, they are inlaid with white paste set with chestnut-colored irises and black onyx pupils. Their intensity is surprising only because we are used to seeing bronzes that no longer have the eyes. Although the bronze statue now has a green patina. the surface is otherwise beautifully preserved, and it is easy to imagine the effect of the fixed dark inlaid eyes in the gleaming, reflective surface of the new bronze statue. No emotion registers here, and the blank, seemingly unfocused gaze repeats the lack of characterization in the other facial features and gives the Charioteer a certain remoteness, or what might be defined as the inner concentration of an athlete.
Source: Carol C. Mattusch, “Greek Bronze Statuary: From the Beginnings Through the Fifth Century B.C.”
Bronze sculpture
Height 1.80 m
Early classical period
470-450 B.C.
Delphi, Archaeological Museum