This superlative bronze embodies the highest achievements of the early Classical period. The athlete is about to swing the diskos forward and over his head with his left hand, then transfer it to his right hand, and finally release it with the force of the accumulated momentum. The beauty of the statuette lies in the calm and concentrated physiognomy that forms part of a perfectly developed and disciplined body.
Said to be from the Peloponnese (Mertens 1985, p. 37).
Acquired October 1907, purchased from Jean P. Lambros.
Robinson, E. 1908. "New Accessions in the Classical Department. II. The Diskos Thrower." MMA Bulletin 3 (February): 31-36, ill.
Bates, W. N. 1908. "New York. Acquisitions of the Metropolitan Museum." American Journal of Archaeology 12 (July-September): 377-79, fig. 8.
Hyde, W. W. 1921. Olympic Victor Monuments and Greek Athletic Art. Washington, D.C.: Carnegie Institute of Washington, pp. 220, n. 5, 221, fig. 46.
Robertson, M. 1975. A History of Greek Art. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, pp. 291, 666, n. 241, pl. 68d.
Mertens, J. R. 1985. "Greek Bronzes in The Metropolitan Museum of Art." MMA Bulletin, n.s., 43, no. 2: 36-37, no. 21.
Rolley, C. 1986. Greek Bronzes. Translated by R. Howell. London: Sotheby's Publications/Chesterman Publications, pp. 158-59, pl. 140.
Picón, C. A., et al. 2007. Art of the Classical World in The Metropolitan Museum of Art. New York: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, p. 427, no. 105, ill. p. 99.
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