The best known piece of the museum is the majestic Charioteer. This life size artifact made of bronze is believed to date back to 470 BC.
Archaeologists are of the opinion that the Charioteer most probably was located on a patio wall on top of the Temple of Apollo.
There is an intriguing story involving the French excavators who were in charge of excavating the sanctuary area.
It all dates back to the 1890’s when the French team was digging up the area, they came across one matriarch who would not leave her little house in spite of repeated requests.
One fine morning she changed her mind and decided to leave her house for the excavators to take over. The reason behind her leaving the house was that one night she saw a terrifying dream of a young boy who unfortunately got ensnared in the turbulent sea and begged the lady to set him free.
Later on when the French excavators began their work on the lady’s house, they unearthed the Charioteer from the underground.
Scholars have not been able to ascertain who the artist was who created this masterpiece.
The donor though in all likelihood was the Tyrant of Syracuse – Gelon who was very passionate about chariot racing.
The statue rather artistically memorializes a hard fought victory in the all-important Pythian games.
|
 |
Even the pupils are conspicuous by their onyx rings. One also has to take into account the manner in which the feet are sculpted
replete with perfect toenails.
The charioteer’s hair appears to be hugging his nape all of which has made the statue an outstanding work of art.
The museum is also conspicuous by the Kouroi wherein two young males belonging to Argos have been rather skillfully sculpted by artist par excellence – Polymedes whose name can be seen engraved on the base.
The Kouroi dates back to the Archaic era (600 B.C.), and the sheer symmetry of the youthful pair is symbolic of the hallowed principles of artistic perfection that existed in Greece in those days.
Legend has it that the Kourois evolved from the parable of Cleobis and Biton. There mother was believed to be a priestess and they kind of bonded themselves to a chariot primarily to carry their mother to her abode – the temple.
It is also believed that while they were asleep inside the temple, their mother prayed fervently to the goddess so that her sons are justifiably rewarded for their loyalty and faithfulness.
|
|
temples flanking the Sacred Way must have looked like in the 5th century B.C.
Don’t miss out on the splendid Archaic sculpture of the Winged Sphinx of the Naxians, which is believed to have been positioned atop the elongated columns of the Naxians.
For something more expressive and mirthful there is the elegant column of the Dancing Girls which was designed to perfection by a renowned sculptor from Athens’s School of Praxiteles.
The girls are rather skillfully sculpted on the finest quality Parian marble and the manner they have been dressed are the very epitome feminine grace and harmony.
The Delphi Museum prides itself for its exquisite 4th century B.C. nude statue of a handsome Greek youth – Antinous who coincidentally was much loved by Emperor Hadrian.
According to the great and illustrious Henry Miller, the statue of Antinous is symbolic of man’s dual nature. The statue has made the ordinary man look like god.
|
Back:
Delphi Related: