The Boxers (sculpture)

The Boxers, also known as the Boxer at Rest, or the Terme Boxer, is a Hellenistic bronze sculpture discovered on the Quirinal Hill in Rome in 1885. It is currently housed in the Palazzo Massimo section of the National Museum of Rome. The sculpture is considered one of the finest examples of bronze sculpture from the Hellenistic period.

The Boxer is depicted seated, with a muscular physique and a heavily battered face, suggesting he has just finished a grueling boxing match. His face exhibits cuts, bruises, and a broken nose, indicated by traces of inlaid copper to simulate blood. His cauliflower ears are also indicative of his profession. The artist's detailed rendering of the boxer's injuries and weariness conveys a sense of realism and pathos.

The sculpture is life-size and depicts an aging athlete. The detail in the rendering of the figure suggests a deep understanding of human anatomy. Scholars believe the work dates to between 330 and 50 BCE. Its hollow-cast construction, a characteristic of bronze sculptures of the period, shows exceptional skill and craftsmanship.