Focus on Boxer at Rest and explore the Reception.
The literary and aesthetic reception of the statue continues to be of high regard for its aesthetic virtues. In 1991, Thom Jones wrote "The Pugilist at Rest", a short story which includes the aesthetic reflection upon the statue's rare quality as seen through the eyes of a worn and weary boxer contemplating its inspiration. He suggested that the sitter may be the famed Ancient boxer, Theogenes. During the time of its display in New York during the summer of 2013 (ended 20 July), New York magazine published on 15 July 2013 a full page dedication to the special qualities and attributes of the statue.Jerry Saltz, the author of this magazine article enumerated the six distinctive features of the statue as follows: (i) The Pose, distinct for its massiveness and "elemental" form, (ii) The Face, noted for the large brow and columnar neck, (iii) The Blood, noted by its inlaid copper upon the bronze statue itself, (iv) The Scarred Genitals, distinct for being infibulated for cultural and aesthetic purposes of ancient times, (v) The Hands, noted for being astounding yet gentle at the same time, and (vi) The Foresight, referring to the sculptor's strength of vision which resembles and conjures Goya's Giant as well as comparison with "Velazquez and Rembrandt", as Saltz completes his list.The Italian poet Gabriele Tinti has written essays and some poems on sculpture and presented a series of readings in front of the statue at the J. Paul Getty Museum with the actor Robert Davi and at the National Roman Museum with the actor Franco Nero. Paul Gallico, the American boxing commentator who was himself an amateur boxer, examined the statue in 1935. On the basis of this he concluded that the Terme Boxer was a left-handed slugger who faced a fast-moving and right-handed opponent who circled him and wore him down with punches to Terme Boxer's right while avoiding his left. Thus the Terme Boxer could not land his devastating knock-out punch. Gallico's assessment was forensic, and based on the pattern of wounds which are all on the Terme Boxer's right - some blows smashed into the right side of his face and others hit his right shoulder and arm. The Terme Boxer must have tried to protect his head by raising his right arm and the wounds there are interpreted as defensive. Gallico who had called many prizefights concluded that the Terme Boxer was worn down and brought to exhaustion, as the statue shows. Gallico believed that the Terme Boxer statue depicts the boxer as having lost the contest.
Thom Jones Theogenes Giant right Goya Gabriele Tinti boxer National Roman Museum Robert Davi Franco Nero Rembrandt J. Paul Getty Museum Jerry Saltz left infibulated Velazquez