What are the differences between the Delphi Charioteer and Motya Charioteer sculptures? In your answer you could refer to the materials, subject matter, pose, and representation of the anatomy.

Start off by looking at the overall appearance of both sculptures, noticing that although both depict charioteers, the sculptors have rendered them in very different ways.

Materials: MC is made from marble; DC made from bronze

Pose: MC is standing in a contrapposto pose with one arm on his hip and the other facing outwards. The sculptor has also attempted some twisting in the upper body and the head faces to the left; DC is very rigid with an upright pose and no twisting at all. His head is positioned face on and his arms are in a very static pose

Clothing: both are wearing chitons but MC's is depicted as see through and flimsey while DC's is columnar and shows so movement from the body underneath

Anatomy: because MC's chiton is so transparent this allows his muscles and body parts to be accentuated underneath the fabric; for DC we have no sign of the body underneath his chiton

Facial expression: MC looks out confidently but most of the facial expression has been lost through erosion; DC looks calm and confident

LG
Answered by Lily G. Classical Civilisation tutor

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