Greece, probably from workshop of Locri or Tarentum, Classical Period / c. 450–425 BCE
Athlete Making an Offering
The Cleveland Museum of Art catalogs Athlete Making an Offering as sculpture (Greece, probably from workshop of Locri or Tarentum, Classical Period · c. 450–425 BCE).
The missing right arm and hand of this athlete were cast separately and attached.
A CLOSER LOOK
The museum identifies this sculpture as bronze (hollow cast).
The museum's collection notes: Standing in a classic contrapposto pose, with one leg straight and weight-bearing, the other bent and relaxed, this athlete pauses after victory. He turns his head gently, looking down to make an offering with his lost right hand. At the sites of their victories and in their home cities, champion athletes were often honored with such sculptures, glorifying the strength and beauty of the male form at both small and large scale.
FOLLOW THE EVIDENCE
The Cleveland Museum of ArtAthlete Making an OfferingOriginal explanation based on the sources above. Images carry their own reuse terms.