Charioteer of Delphi

The statue was erected at Delphi, Greece to commemorate one of two victories of the tyrant Polyzalus of Gela in Sicily and his chariot in the Pythian Games of either 478 or 474 BC, which were held at Delphi in honor of Pythean Apollo. It has also been suggested that the complex was instead built to commemorate the victory of Polyzalos' brother, Hieron, at the same games, in analogy to his ex voto after his victory at the Olympic Games. It was originally part of a larger group of statuary, including the chariot, at least four horses and possibly two grooms. Some fragments of the horses were found with the statue. The masterpiece has been associated with the sculptor Pythagoras of Rhegion, who lived and worked in Sicily, Magna Graecia, as well as with the sculptor Calamis. The Sicilian cities were very wealthy compared with most of mainland Greece, and their rulers could afford magnificent offerings to the gods, as well as the best horses and drivers. However, it is unlikely that the statue originates from Sicily. Though the name of the sculptor is unknown, it stylistically resembles statues cast in Athens, such as the Piraeus Apollo, which is known to be of Athenian origin. An inscription on the limestone base of the statue indicates that it was dedicated by Polyzalus, ==Design and completeness==

Most bronze statues from ancient times have long been destroyed, either having been melted down for their raw materials or were naturally corroded. Some freestanding bronze statues, however, including the charioteer, have been rediscovered in the 20th century. The Charioteer survived due to being buried under a rock-fall at Delphi, which likely destroyed the site in 373 B.C. The statue remains mostly intact excluding its left forearm and certain details on the head, including the copper inlays on the lips, most of the silver eyelashes, and the headband. Unusually for this era, the Charioteer is clothed head to foot. Most athletes at this time would have competed, and been depicted, nude. This indicates that the young man would thus have been of a lower status than his master, Polyzalos. It has been speculated he may have been a household slave whom it was not appropriate to depict in the nude. ==Style==

Stylistically, the Charioteer is classed as "Early Classical" or "Severe" (see Greek art). The statue is more naturalistic than the kouroi of the Archaic period, but the pose is rigid when compared with later works of the Classical period. A departure from the Archaic style is the slight inclination of his head to the right. The naturalistic rendering of his feet was greatly admired in ancient times. The introverted expression ignores the 'Archaic smile'. ==In popular culture==

In approximately 1907, some ten years after the discovery of the Charioteer, Mariano Fortuny y Madrazo, a Spanish artist-designer based in Venice, created a finely pleated silk dress he named the Delphos gown, named after the statue, whose robes it closely resembled. These gowns are considered important pieces of early 20th century fashion. In 2003, A Delphos gown was the only fashion garment in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art, New York. ==Gallery==

File:Auriga de Delfos (474 aC), Museo Arqueològic de Delfos. Detall del cap.jpg File:Aurige. Musée Delphes. Grèce.png File:Charioteer of Delphi - detail of head.jpg|Detail of the statue's head, showing the inlaid eyes File:Cherioteer Fragments.jpg|Fragments and drawing of Charioteer File:Charioteer of Delphi-2.jpg|Detail of the statue's head and arm File:Aurige_back.jpg|Back view of the Charioteer. File:Delphi - Museum.jpg|Position in the museum == See also ==