The Discus Thrower, or Disco bolus, is a sculpture attributed the sculptor Myron. In the sculpture, the male form is depicted as perfect because the sets of muscles work harmoniously together to create an athletic, but not over-developed body(The British Museum). Additionally, his facial expression is serene thus indicating that despite the difficulty of the task at hand and the discomfort experienced in his wound-up position of discus throwing, the athlete remains calm and ready(Museum). Lastly, not only does the body exhibit symmetry, but more importantly, the sculpture creates a sense of harmony that is pleasing to the human eye because the tip of the discus to the foot of the athlete forms a symmetrical semi-circle--yet another illustration of perfection because circular shapes were seen as most perfect because they represent continuity.
While the ideal of the perfect female form has changed throughout history and remains a controversial topic, the ideal male form has remained consistent from what the Greeks first established to be perfect. In modern day media, consumers are exposed to men who are strong and athletic, but not over the top body builders. Likewise, they are not lanky and weak.
Perhaps the reason for the consistency of the ideal male figure is that history has many depictions of Adam, the “father of mankind”, as a strong, athletic, and handsome male such as Michelangelo’s “Creation of Adam”. However, there is no concrete or pervasive image of Eve, which has left her image subject to interpretation. Consequently, female beauty is left in the eye of its beholder.
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