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Jockey of Artemision

Jockey of Artemision is a Greek bronze sculpture from the Hellenistic period, now held in the National Archaeological Museum in Athens (inventory no. Χ 15177). It was recovered in parts from a shipwreck off Cape Artemision on northern Euboea in 1928 and 1937, then assembled. Some elements were missing, including the reins and whip once held by the rider, and parts of the horse’s tail and belly were reconstructed during restoration. The sculpture measures 2.10 m in height and 2.90 m in length. It depicts a young boy, probably African, riding a galloping horse. The horse is rendered with strong dynamism and realism, while the rider wears sandals and a chiton and has a fierce expression.

Jockey of Artemision bronze sculpture showing a young rider leaning forward on a horse in motion inside a museum.
The Jockey of Artemision, a bronze sculpture of a young rider on a galloping horse, displayed in a museum gallery.
July 2016 © · CC0
The Jockey of Artemision bronze sculpture displayed in a museum, showing a rearing horse with a small rider leaning forward.
The Jockey of Artemision bronze sculpture on display in a museum.
© · CC BY-SA 3.0
The Jockey of Artemision bronze statue displayed on a pedestal in a museum hall, with the horse rearing and a small rider on its back.
The Jockey of Artemision displayed in a museum gallery.
January 2009 © · CC BY 2.0
The Jockey of Artemision bronze sculpture shown with a horse and young rider on a pedestal in a museum gallery.
The Jockey of Artemision displayed in a museum gallery alongside other sculptures.
September 2018 © · CC BY-SA 4.0
Jockey of Artemision bronze sculpture displayed in a museum with visitors and red walls in the background
The Jockey of Artemision on display in a museum gallery.
August 2018 © · CC BY-SA 4.0

Identification

TitleJockey of Artemision
Alternative nameThe Cavalier or Jockey of Artemision; Jockey from Cape Artemision; Horseman from Cape Artemision; Reiter von Artemision
Original-language titleJeździec z Artemizjon; El jinete de Artemisión; Вершник з мису Артемісіон
TypeHellenistic bronze equestrian sculpture group

Historical context

Datec. 150–140 BC
PeriodHellenistic period

Creator

ArtistUnknown

Discovery and provenance

Possible original provenanceSean Hemingway proposed that it may originally have stood in Corinth, been looted by Lucius Mummius in 146 BC, transferred to Attalus II, and lost in a shipwreck en route to Pergamon; this is hypothetical
Additional recoveryFurther fragments were recovered in 1928 and in 1936/1937
Discovery contextRecovered from a Roman shipwreck; found by sponge divers among bronze fragments, together with the Poseidon of Cape Artemision
Discovery locationOff Cape Artemision, northern Euboea, Greece
Discovery date1926

Location and ownership

Current locationNational Archaeological Museum, Athens
Inventory numberΧ 15177

Physical characteristics

ScaleApproximately life-size
Height2.10 m
Length2.90 m
ConditionPreserved almost intact except for the reins, bridle, and whip; later reassembled after recovery

Materials

MaterialBronze
Restored or inserted materialsSome missing sections, including part of the horse's tail and belly/body, were restored during conservation; the horse's eyes and Nike emblem were made of a different material and are now lost

Technique

ConstructionCast in multiple parts and later assembled

Appearance

Depicted subjectA young boy jockey riding a galloping horse
Rider expressionFierce, angry expression
Horse poseThe horse is shown in a leaping or full-gallop pose with forelegs stretched forward and hind hooves on the ground
Rider poseThe rider leans forward on the horse's back
Objects heldOriginally a bridle in one hand and a whip or riding crop in the other
DecorationA Nike figure with a wreath was engraved or attached on the horse's right thigh
Relative scaleThe rider is very small in comparison with the horse
Surface detailsThe rider and the horse's hooves are somewhat darker than the horse's body; the eyes were originally inlaid and are mostly lost
Rider appearanceThe boy is probably of African, likely Ethiopian, origin; he wears a short chiton and sandals and has a Greek hairstyle

Iconography and meaning

MeaningIt is often read as emphasizing movement, vivid realism, and the relationship between human beings and forces greater than themselves
Race typeProbably a single-horse race (keles)
InterpretationThe sculpture may commemorate a victorious rider or horse-racing victory, possibly as a dedication to the gods by a wealthy patron

Significance

RarityOne of the rare surviving original bronze sculptures from ancient Greece; a rare surviving example of a racehorse in Greek sculpture
Historical significanceImportant as one of the most original surviving sculptures of the Hellenistic period
Related worksThe Boxer of Quirinal, the Charioteer of Delphi, the Poseidon of Cape Artemision, the Riace bronzes, the Thermen ruler, and the fragment of the Chatsworth Apollo

History and restoration

Restoration historyRecovered in parts, restored, and reassembled after 1928/1937 recoveries; a reconstruction attempt was made in 1972
Missing partsThe reins, bridle, and whip are missing
Reconstruction issuesA 1972 reconstruction noted difficulties with the horse's right foreleg, the tail, and the rider's seating position

Other

Source of survivalIt survived because it was lost in antiquity in a shipwreck, whereas most ancient bronzes were later melted down for their metal