The Discobolos

1. The Discobolos By Myron the Magnificent

2. Myron of Eleutherae • “And yet, though he was very accurate in the proportions of his figures, he has neglected to give expression; besides which, he has not treated the hair and the pubes with any greater attention than is observed in the rude figures of more ancient times”. Pliny Natural History 19.

3. Myron of Eleutherae • Symmetria in proportions of the body. • BUT no Symmetria in the pose: Sweeping curve of body on right vs zig-zag on left. • Captured moment in time: pause between back-swing and forward thrust. • Rhythmos: harmony and balance in the body. • BUT no expression, no ‘effort’ in the muscles. • Designed to be seen from the front – poor side view.

9. Myron’s Discus-thrower “who is bent over into the throwing position, is turned toward the hand that holds the discus, and has the opposite knee gently flexed, like one who will straighten up again after the throw” Lucian Philopseudes 18. 2nd C AD

19. Woody sayz • ‘A stroke of genius: an instant of stillness in the midst of action’. • ‘The suggestion of potential movement is so strong that the figure seems permeated with energy’. • The arc and use of right angles ‘imposes harmony on the agitated figure’. • The torso shows ‘virtually no response to the violent action of the limbs’.