The victorious youth

The statue of the Victorious Youth is one of only a handful of life-size bronzes that have come down to us from antiquity. These few representatives of literally thousands of such statues that were once displayed in sanctuaries, city centers, and private homes and gardens have often been viewed by modern eyes as one-of-a-kind works. Carol Mattusch takes a more objective view of these works as she discusses the Victorious Youth in its ancient context of long-distance transportation, public memorials, private collectors, and market-oriented bronze workshops.