The laurel wreath characterises the sitter as a victorious athlete who was awarded a wreath. It was not unusual for athletes to have a statue erected when they were victorious. It is clear that all non-Greek influences have disappeared from this head, which was created in Cyprus. It is exclusively in the Greek tradition and takes up the various elements of the Archaic and Classical periods.
Dating based on stylistic criteria is somewhat difficult. The shape of the curls is Archaic, whereas the hair of the back of the head is Early Classical. The dominant chin also points to this period. The combination of different period styles dates the head to the Late Classical period. It was probably created in the middle or towards the end of the 4th century BC. (AVS)
Former collection Maximilian von Heyl, Darmstadt
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