Head of a Horseman (known as the de Nion Head)

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Head of a Horseman (known as the de Nion Head)

550–540 BC

Greece, Archaic period

Medium

marble

Measurements

Overall: 24.1 x 15.5 x 19.5 cm (9 1/2 x 6 1/8 x 7 11/16 in.)

Credit Line

Anonymous Loan 24.2011

This artwork is known to be under copyright.

Location

102B Greek

Description

Sensitively carved with great respect for pattern and symmetry, this remarkably well preserved head likely comes from a nearly life-size Archaic equestrian sculpture, indicated by its slight turn to the left. Because very few such sculptures survive, their original purpose remains uncertain. They perhaps honored a member of the horse-owning aristocracy or an equestrian victory, or they represented a mythological figure such as Poseidon, a son of Theseus, or one of the twin half-brothers Kastor or Polydeukes. Traces of red in the eyes’ irises and on the hair, beard, and upper lip indicate paint was used for many details, now mostly lost and faded from originally darker colors.