Bronze Man & Centaur in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, July 2007

Bronze man and centaur
Greek, Geometric, mid-8th century BC

Accession # 17.190.2072

Half man, half horse, centaurs were thought to inhabit remote wooded areas. In much of Greek art, they appear in combat with humans, and by implication, are the antithesis of civilized men. The classic rendering of this subject can be seen in the metopes of the Parthenon in Athens. It is, however, already fully presented in this bronze statuette. The outcome of the conflict is indicated by the end of the spear preserved in the centaur's left flank and the greater height of the man.

Text from the Metropolitan Museum of Art label.