Faculty of Classics - University of Cambridge

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Doryphoros

Spear carrier. Many copies were made by the Romans of this male nude, the Greek bronze original of which is lost. This particular copy retains the distinctive half-standing, half-walking pose, but has been restored inaccurately with a discus in his right hand. He originally would have held a spear in his left hand, resting on his shoulder.

The fame of Polykleitos was acknowledged as early as the thirteenth century, but the Doryphoros was not recognised as being by the sculptor until 1863, despite being excavated in the previous century

Material: 
Marble
Location of Original: 

Rome, Vatican, Braccio Nuovo 126

Size: 
2.01m
Accession: 

Purchased in 1884 from Malpieri of Rome

References: 

Lippold: Griechische Plastik, 164
Richter: Sculpture & Sculptors of the Greeks (1950), 247-
Walston: Catalogue of Casts in the Museum of Classical Archaeology (1889), 64, no.282
Lawrence: Classical Sculpture (1928), 211-
Moon (ed.): Polykleitos, the Doryphoros and Tradition

Date: 
Roman. Original: c.450-440 BCE
Sculptor: 
Of original: Polykleitos
Provenance: 

In the Vatican by 1822

Number: 
180

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