Unknown artist, Roman

This piece was long considered to be a statue of a standing athlete tying a victory fillet around his head. However, close observation of the figure’s anatomical features suggest instead that he was in dynamic movement: he was lunging forward with most of his weight borne by a bent left leg (now missing) and his right leg was actively extended behind him.

The cavity between the shoulders indicates that the statue’s neck area was prepared to receive a portrait head. This sort of athletic body type in sculpture became very popular in the Roman world and was used extensively in honorary portraits. As a type, it was favored by imperial and non-imperial persons alike, as the individual was paid tribute by his presentation in heroic nudity.