Preview

image preview

Creator

Denis Baly

Creation Year

1978

Image ID

DH.085

Subcollection

DH: Delphi

Abstract

A cast bronze votive sculpture depicting a charioteer. Although only the charioteer figure survives, it would have been part of a larger sculpture including his chariot and horses.

Description

One of the few surviving cast bronze sculptures, the Charioteer is one of the most impressive sculptures at Delphi, and is only part of a larger sculpture including a full chariot and team of horses, from which fragments survive. The sculpture was made using the lost wax method, where a wax sculpture was covered in clay and allowed to harden. When ready, the clay was filled with molten bronze, melting the wax and filling the clay mold. The sculpture dates from the early 5th century BCE and was dedicated by Polyzalos, a tyrant of Gela in Sicily. It is a primary example of the Severe style of Greek art, marking a transition between the Archaic and Classical styles. In addition to bronze, there are highlights of copper and silver, and the eyes are made of onyx stone embedded in glass.

Image Notes

Creation date unknown. Photograph processed July 1978. Notes written on the slide or index: The Charioteer c. 470 B.C.

Image Format

35 mm slide

Geographic Reference

Delfoi, Greece

Keywords

Charioteer, Bronze, Sculpture, Cast Bronze, Human Figure, Archaic Period, Fifth Century BC, Votive Offering, Delphi Archaeological Museum

Share

Image Location

 
COinS
 

Rights Statement

In Copyright - Non-Commercial Use Permitted