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Doryphoros Of Polycleitus

Datec. 440 BC

Mediumplaster cast on art gallery base

ClassificationsSculptures

DimensionsOverall: Height: 211 cm, Width: 70 cm, Depth: 73 cm
Plinth Size: Height: 91.2 cm, Width: 74.3 cm, Depth: 78.4 cm

AcquisitionPresented in 1905 by Mr Simon McLeod.

CopyrightOut of copyright

LocationView by Appointment - Aberdeen Treasure Hub

Object numberABDAG004787

Keywords

Nude

About MeThe marble statue, from which this was cast, is itself a Roman copy of a Greek original, which was probably of bronze. The marble version was found in Pompeii in 1797 and must, therefore, date from before 79 A.D., when that city was destroyed by the most devastating eruption of Mount Vesuvius. It is now in the museum of Naples.

Polycleitus, a sculptor from the school of Argos, made no attempt to idealise the human figure, his aim being rather to represent as faithfully as possible what he considered to be the best examples of natural form. The Doryphoros, which probably represented Achilles, is considered to be one of the most famous works of classical Greek art and was long regarded as the standard of proportion for the human figure.